I like Maxell tape. I've been using their tapes for over 25 years and out of thousands i've never had one bad yet. You can beat on them and they keep on going. When i'm being paid to record something, i won't touch any other brand.

Pity i can't endorse their disk/disc products as strongly though.

Thanks Guys

Wow, Chienworks, I thought it was just me. Although Maxell tapes have always performed well for me, I've found that their discs often give me problems. Any idea as to the reason?

Anyone have any good online sources for buying Mini DV Maxell tapes?
Jim Clark

My favorites are
http://www.jrmusicworld.com/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Not always the absolute cheapest, but both are very reputable and have tons of everything in stock ready to ship.

I use TDK that I get at Costco. The last package had 6 tapes for $28. They have always worked great for me.

It's often mentioned on mini-dv forums that it's important to select a brand and then use only that brand. Some people say it's a myth, but many others swear that the differences in tape formulation will cause head-clogging when switching to a new brand of tape. It's supposedly due to the reaction between the residue of the previous brand interacting with the new tape. Of course some people report that they never have a problem with using whatever tape is available.
Other people say that you can switch brands as long as you use a headcleaner tape between brands.
Since mini-dv is probably the video format with the least physical room for error when it comes to headclogging, head cleaning and head alignment that's ever been invented, I like to eliminate as many possible problems in that area as I can. I try never to change brands and I always have a cleaning tape with me in case a clog does occur.
For what it's worth...