80 min tapes on the HVX?

M

mrWr0ng

Well-known member
I do a lot of programs that are typically supposed to run about an hour but generally go anywhere from 5 minutes past to 15. When I bought my hVX and read the manual, it mentions not to use 80 minute tapes, so I haven't used them and have instead still been shooting on an VX2000 (which hasn't been a problem).

But, out of curiousity, has anyone shot wiht 80 minute tapes, could this be a problem or is this along the lines of "Panasonic recommends you use Panasonic brand tapes/batteries/hookers" where it doesn't really matter?
 
you do know that the hvx does not shoot dvcproHD to tape right? it only shoots dv25.

if you want to shoot that much in dvcproHD i suggest getting a firestore
 
Hmm, Ive been shooting on Panasonic 83 minute tapes.

I really am not worried about the mechanical parts malfunctioning due to longer tapes, but youve piqued my curiosity.
 
Page 31 of the User Manual

Page 31 of the User Manual

specifically states that ONLY 63 min tapes, (i.e. what most call "60 minute" tapes), s/b used, and that "80 min" tapes should NOT be used.

I've never used longer than 60, and am not about to take the chance of thinner tape causing problems.

x
 
HD isn't suited for everything...all the time

HD isn't suited for everything...all the time

wgzn said:
i cant figure out why someone would drop 5k on an hd camera then shoot dv with it?
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Example: HD is overkill (and expensive enough that lawyers don't want to pay for it) for legal video, e.g. depositions - some which run for hours, etc. Many lawyers want either DVD or - yes - VHS. (Most must work with equipment that's easily/readily available). They already balk at $ 100 + per hr even if they only want VHS or DVD.

Another example is long-form recording, a la depositions (again), construction draws, etc., which P2 cards don't accommodate very well.

It also is a consideration when pricing a job: if the client doesn't like the price of HD, then I can drop to DV and save the job for myself, and some $ for the client.

Except for a couple of JVC consumer-level miniDV cams, the only camera I own is an HVX. For the price, it's versatile enough to fit any job I've had. I just wish I had more P2 cards.

x
 
wgzn said:
i cant figure out why someone would drop 5k on an hd camera then shoot dv with it?
Click to expand...

i'm not sure exactly why you're so concerned about my shooting methods, but i shoot DV when it's appropriate and I shoot HD when it's appropriate. The camera does both well, which is why I purchased it. For a program in which a journalist shows up, speaks for half an hour and answers questions for half an hour, with an intended distribution straight to DVD and internet video, HD is not only unnecessary, but would make my job harder for no discernable gain.

HD might be here but it's not a necessity in every case. You use the right tool for the right job.

For everyone else, is there something about 80 minute tape that makes it more likely to screw up? I've heard that it's slightly thinner, so I suppose it's possible that it would be slightly more likely to break, but I typically start the camera at the beginning of the program and it runs straight until the end, no stops, which should be pretty safe.

I'm encouraged by knoxworth's answer, just would like to hear more
 
wgzn said:
i cant figure out why someone would drop 5k on an hd camera then shoot dv with it?
Click to expand...

Well it beats having to have two cameras for those situations where the client only wants SD DV and doesn't want to pay for HD. I have had several jobs where the client wants to walk away from the shoot with a mini dv tape. When I bought the camera I though I would never use the tape mechanism. Fortuantely I thought wrong, as those SD jobs alone have almost paid for the camera.
 
I'd can the 80 min tapes if I was you. . .If it says specifically not to do it, why do it? Sounds like you are asking somebody on here to re-assure you that it's fine.

When it comes down to it, if something nasty does happen, say the tape gets completely wound round the heads and you can't physically get the tape out without damaging the mechanism, I can't see Panasonic being too understanding, considering you used something in it they warned you not to.

Better safe than sorry. . .seems a shame to risk such a lovely camera for a couple of extra minutes of footage. Why not record the last bit to P2?
 
ozduc said:
Well it beats having to have two cameras for those situations where the client only wants SD DV and doesn't want to pay for HD. I have had several jobs where the client wants to walk away from the shoot with a mini dv tape. When I bought the camera I though I would never use the tape mechanism. Fortuantely I thought wrong, as those SD jobs alone have almost paid for the camera.
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This has been my experience as well. I never thought I'd have put so many tapes through it - I can shoot 80 minutes of 720pN, but depending on the client I've ended up handing off a tape. Their editor wants a tape for archiving, or can't edit HD, they plan to broadcast or distribute on SD only, whatever.

This is a do-everything camera, that's why we bought it. The "what you're shooting is dumb" attitude is pretty useless.
 
lipslide said:
I'd can the 80 min tapes if I was you. . .If it says specifically not to do it, why do it? Sounds like you are asking somebody on here to re-assure you that it's fine.
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What I'm more asking about is why this is a no-no as opposed to "is it okay for me to do this?". I haven't run any 80 minute tapes through it myself, but I'd like to know what it is that makes this a no-no or if it's not really a big deal. After all, Panasonic makes 80 minute tapes, so if they're saying not to use them, why? I wouldn't imagine the tape mechanism is that different from say the DVX-100 or even the VX2000, so why would it be okay to use 80 minute tapes there? Or maybe the other manuals say not to use them, either.
 
The funny thing is, the 83 minutes tapes are from the same "Master Series" line as the recommended 63 minutes one. It seems like the manufacturing process is the same, so it really is intriguing that the 83 minutes master tape is not recommended.

Sincerely, I actually use these 83 minutes panasonic master tapes when I do a downconvert archive to DV. No problems so far.

The only problem I can see with these tapes is the fact that due to there been so much tape cramped in the Mini-dv shell, there's a bigger probability of a tape break.

Jan Crittenden could really give us a clearer explanation on this... Barry, any insight?
 
It may be "Master Series" tape, but the media itself is different. How do you think they get an extra 30% of linear capacity onto the same size spool? The media is physically thinner. I don't know by how much, but given the tight tolerances required, it isn't inconceivable that the tape mechanism is being pushed to its design limits by the thinner tape.
 
THoff I understand what you're saying, but what I don't get is why the HVX would be different from other cameras in this respect. I could possibly see this in an HDV camera, it may have a pushed-to-the-limits tape mechanism design, but why the HVX? It only records regular DV, if 80 minute tapes aren't an issue for say the DVX, then I don't see why it would be an issue for the HVX
 
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