OT: DV tape length question

newbie123 wrote on 10/30/2003, 11:20 AM

first let me state i did do a search of the forum for dv tape lenght, but the results i got were not sufficient for me, so i am making this post to clear up some questions i have.

I understand that standard dv tapes run at a length of 60 in sp mode (i am only concerned about sp mode)

i have heard there are dv tapes that do run for 80 minutes, and have read here and there of tapes that can run longer than that.

My questions are:

Is there a quality difference between a 60 minute, 80 minute and whatever other length dv tape in sp mode all other things being equal (ie from the same manufacturer, same camera...)

if there is a difference in the quality between the tapes what is it, and will someone who is somewhat proficient with a camera notice a difference.
(let me explain, when i say quality i refer to quality of the tape not of the picture, further, i am referring to archival quality as well, how long can it sit there as an emergency backup)
(when i say notice a difference i don't mean picture difference because they are all 1's and 0's i mean, difference in ability to get the tape to the computer and the ability to have the tape sit for any period of time and be able to retrieve the information off it)

with all of these disclaimer's i will pleasantly surprised and thankful if any one is willing to take the time to answer this.

thanks. dgg

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newbie123 wrote on 11/3/2003, 10:09 AM

back from a weekend of frustration.

turns out not one of the five stores i went to this weekend sells of and for that matter even believes me when i tell them there are 80 minute dv tapes. They all say the same thing, yeah sure you get 80 minutes when you use the LP setting.

Even the sony store near my place hard a hard time believing that such a monster existed. Looks i will be buying online.

as for this archiving discussion. for some things i have become quite paranoid, ie home movies from the 50's - 60's, have got two VHS tape backups, a digital backap on CD and am storing a copy of it on my hard drive. only stupid part, is that they are all currently in the same location. Like someone said in a prior post, i just need to find a way to keep the product in good shape until such time as i can pass the responsibility onto the next generation.

jetdv wrote on 11/3/2003, 10:33 AM

turns out not one of the five stores i went to this weekend sells of and for that matter even believes me when i tell them there are 80 minute dv tapes. They all say the same thing, yeah sure you get 80 minutes when you use the LP setting.

When they come in, go back to the store, show it to them, and then say "yeah, you can get TWO HOURS in LP mode" (although I only use SP)

Actually, find out if they have internet access in the store, take them to taperesources.com (or your favorite tape source), show them the tapes exist, and THEN ask them to match prices!