Comments

JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/19/2003, 11:17 AM
I believe the chip is only there to quickly index still images on the tape. I’ve never used one because I don’t take stills with my camcorder. As for tape, I use FujiFilm DV because its what my local store carries. I get a 6 pack for $20. I haven’t had any problems with them but ask me again in 10 years. ;-)

~jr
hbwerner wrote on 12/19/2003, 2:00 PM
What store carrieds a 6 pack of DV tapes for only $20? I've never found them that cheap.
Chienworks wrote on 12/19/2003, 2:03 PM
Wal*Mart sells 5-packs of Maxell for around $34. That's about the cheapest i've ever seen them in a store.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/19/2003, 3:10 PM
It was BJ’s Wholesale Club but I need to double check. Perhaps it was $29.95 for 6. I know it was real cheap though.

Updated: I just did a quick search and B&H Photo is selling Panasonic MiniDV 60 minute tapes for $3.99 each, That’s 6 for $24. They have FujiFilm for $4.49 each which is $26.94 for 6. They also have JVC tapes for $3.99.

~jr
kirsol wrote on 12/19/2003, 8:57 PM

One key advantage of the IC chip is it "remembers" where you stopped recording. So you can remove the tape, put it back in, and execute your camera's "End Search" function successfully. Without the IC chip, you'd have to find the end manually after removing the tape because end search is only executable if the tape stays in the camera after your last recording session.

I contemplated using the IC tapes, but they're 3-4x the cost of regular tapes. I decided to save the money and get disciplined about timecode management and end searches. It's worked so far.

If you have recording habits whereby you constantly use different tapes for different things, and rewind them to review portions of footage, the IC might be worth the convenience because of the end search convenience. But otherwise I'd say they're not worth the money.

As far as brands go, I heard it's best to pick a brand and stick with it. Different brands carry different "residues" which can react with each other and gradually gum up the tape heads. Or something like that. I've been using Sony brand tapes (purchased from B&H) in my Sony camcorder, and I'm satisfied with them.

MitchK
mmreed wrote on 12/20/2003, 9:49 AM
I just purchased 6 Maxell 60mins at BJs for 22.95.

I noticed ebay has many 10 packs that get the price down to 2.00 - 2.50 each.