Ok, maybe I'll sound like a total moron, but I'm about to get my DVX and I need to think about getting tapes for it. Can anyone tell me about the whole "wet and dry lube thing" and if I should only use panasonic tapes in my camera EVER. What if I use it as my deck occasionally and play older tapes from other cameras on it using say a sony tape? is that going to cause problems? If any of this is problematic, can anyone testify as to what happens? i.e. will the camera break down, or will I just get some drop out? Maybe even a link to an old thread of these matters would help, I just can't find it, theres so much here and I'm kind of new. I know as soon as I get my camera I'll be dying to shoot a little and starting working with it, so I don't want to do anything stupid out of impatience. Help! and thanks. ???
Does it matter what tape brand I use?
- Thread starter ren
- Start date
Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
Panasonic reccomends their MQ tapes.
Realistically though, you should be fine using any dry lube brands - Panasonic's PQs and Fuji tapes are the only ones as far as I know that have been found to be dry lube though.
Still, I'll just say it again, Panasonic reccomends their MQs - and they're not that expensive, so it's probably best to go with them
Panasonic reccomends their MQ tapes.
Realistically though, you should be fine using any dry lube brands - Panasonic's PQs and Fuji tapes are the only ones as far as I know that have been found to be dry lube though.
Still, I'll just say it again, Panasonic reccomends their MQs - and they're not that expensive, so it's probably best to go with them
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
The most important thing you could do to keep your camera in top shape is stick to a single tape brand. I use MQ's exclusively (I've shot almost 150 in the 14 months I've had the camera) and I've only had one tape problem. If I have to playback another brand in the camera, I clean the heads immediately after.
Although Panasonic recommends the 60 min MQ tapes (hey, they're a cool looking white) you're pretty safe as long as you STICK TO THE SAME BRAND.
Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
The most important thing you could do to keep your camera in top shape is stick to a single tape brand. I use MQ's exclusively (I've shot almost 150 in the 14 months I've had the camera) and I've only had one tape problem. If I have to playback another brand in the camera, I clean the heads immediately after.
Although Panasonic recommends the 60 min MQ tapes (hey, they're a cool looking white) you're pretty safe as long as you STICK TO THE SAME BRAND.
Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
HorseFilms
Look ma no hands
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
I've heard of several people who use Sony tapes exclusively in the DVX without problems. If it's working for you, stick with it.
I've heard of several people who use Sony tapes exclusively in the DVX without problems. If it's working for you, stick with it.
bodaphoto
Well-known member
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
Also Ren, depending on how much shooting you will be doing, you may want to consider getting a small Mini-DV camera to use as a deck, or get a tape deck. This will cut back on the amount of wear and tear on your heads. You can rack up the hours on your camera pretty fast.
Also Ren, depending on how much shooting you will be doing, you may want to consider getting a small Mini-DV camera to use as a deck, or get a tape deck. This will cut back on the amount of wear and tear on your heads. You can rack up the hours on your camera pretty fast.
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
Thanks folks,
Helpful words. I know, I should get another cheapo for a deck, but for now funds won't permit it. I have my old little mini dv cam, that I would use but it's kind of kaput for the same reason (A Canon Elura). Get this: after years of shooting with it at some point I think the heads began running at some other speed or something ( I can't figure out any other explanation). I figure this because I left it with my girlfriend to use when she moved away while I began using my roommates GL2 and DVX100 to shoot all my stuff. Then I moved back near her and all that stuff played with dropouts on my little old cam and I thought all the tapes were screwed. Then I played them elsewhere and they were ok. then I got word from others a few times that mini dvs I gave them were full of drop outs and stuff. Finally it made sense. My little Elura will play all of the tapes shot with it in a certain time period up till now ( I haven't looked how far back they go back quite a while), but nothing else. So I can use it for things that I'll shoot on it and edit and output elswhere, but nothing else. And now I must have it to play all the tapes that I made with it while it's had this funny speed change thing, it's irreplaceable with this funny running speed. That means I can't use it as a deck for anything else though. Anyone ever had anything like this happen? I didn't know for so long since I always used it to play it's own footage, that eventually all that footage will be lost. Never heard of anything like this anywhere else. Kinda sucks, but for a while I'll have to just use my DVX as it's own deck until I get something else. Those little mini dvs cams are getting pretty cheap now though, should I use only panasonic for that, to keep consistent? Now you see why I'm so paranoid about trying not to lose **** between different brands/cameras.
Thanks folks,
Helpful words. I know, I should get another cheapo for a deck, but for now funds won't permit it. I have my old little mini dv cam, that I would use but it's kind of kaput for the same reason (A Canon Elura). Get this: after years of shooting with it at some point I think the heads began running at some other speed or something ( I can't figure out any other explanation). I figure this because I left it with my girlfriend to use when she moved away while I began using my roommates GL2 and DVX100 to shoot all my stuff. Then I moved back near her and all that stuff played with dropouts on my little old cam and I thought all the tapes were screwed. Then I played them elsewhere and they were ok. then I got word from others a few times that mini dvs I gave them were full of drop outs and stuff. Finally it made sense. My little Elura will play all of the tapes shot with it in a certain time period up till now ( I haven't looked how far back they go back quite a while), but nothing else. So I can use it for things that I'll shoot on it and edit and output elswhere, but nothing else. And now I must have it to play all the tapes that I made with it while it's had this funny speed change thing, it's irreplaceable with this funny running speed. That means I can't use it as a deck for anything else though. Anyone ever had anything like this happen? I didn't know for so long since I always used it to play it's own footage, that eventually all that footage will be lost. Never heard of anything like this anywhere else. Kinda sucks, but for a while I'll have to just use my DVX as it's own deck until I get something else. Those little mini dvs cams are getting pretty cheap now though, should I use only panasonic for that, to keep consistent? Now you see why I'm so paranoid about trying not to lose **** between different brands/cameras.
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
Best advice for tapes: stick to the same brand. If you've been using a certain brand, and haven't had any problems, don't switch.
Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
Best advice for tapes: stick to the same brand. If you've been using a certain brand, and haven't had any problems, don't switch.
Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
HartStudio
Well-known member
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
Don't switch tapes. I have been using the sony blue 60 mins for a year now in my DVX100A and everything is perfect. When you switch is when you will have problems.
Trust me I have a JVC that I used to switch tapes all the time. It took only 3 months and now been plaqued with dropouts. Now it is just a toy camera. I use it now to shoot violent storms in the poring rain with no protection now. Got some cool shots not having to worry that my cam will get wet.
I call it my trash cam! ;D
I use my dvx100a for the real pretty video!
Don't switch tapes. I have been using the sony blue 60 mins for a year now in my DVX100A and everything is perfect. When you switch is when you will have problems.
Trust me I have a JVC that I used to switch tapes all the time. It took only 3 months and now been plaqued with dropouts. Now it is just a toy camera. I use it now to shoot violent storms in the poring rain with no protection now. Got some cool shots not having to worry that my cam will get wet.
I call it my trash cam! ;D
I use my dvx100a for the real pretty video!
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
Last Saturday I filmed a wedding and during the shoot I had an error message that said the cylinder was dirty. I called a authorized Panasonice DVX repair center and he said that Panasonic recommends using on the MQ tapes. They have been repairing the DVX model for quite sometime and he said that many of the cameras coming in have been used with other brand tapes and it's the same problem. They recommended that I clean the heads and then start using the MQ tapes.
Here 's where I'm confused. The repair guy said that the Panasonic tapes (MQ) are dry, however, Panasonic also makes the PQ version and they are WET! Sony is also wet. If Sony is wet, and the PQ's are wet, then what's the difference? I've been using Sony in my DVX since March (when I purchased the camera) and haven't had any problems until now.
Does anyone experienced this problem?
:-/
Last Saturday I filmed a wedding and during the shoot I had an error message that said the cylinder was dirty. I called a authorized Panasonice DVX repair center and he said that Panasonic recommends using on the MQ tapes. They have been repairing the DVX model for quite sometime and he said that many of the cameras coming in have been used with other brand tapes and it's the same problem. They recommended that I clean the heads and then start using the MQ tapes.
Here 's where I'm confused. The repair guy said that the Panasonic tapes (MQ) are dry, however, Panasonic also makes the PQ version and they are WET! Sony is also wet. If Sony is wet, and the PQ's are wet, then what's the difference? I've been using Sony in my DVX since March (when I purchased the camera) and haven't had any problems until now.
Does anyone experienced this problem?
:-/
TJIsACoolGuy
Active member
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
I don't think PQ's are wet.......anyone else concur?
I don't think PQ's are wet.......anyone else concur?
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
..even if they both are wet, it doesnt mean its the same composition or type of lubricant.. not everything thats "wet" mixes together seamlessly or works well or at all together. your not supposed to mix oils in your car either.. even though its all motor oil. its really very simple. just use one brand AND specific model of tape stock and stick with it.. if your ever going to do a head cleaning and switch something better then switch to panasonics MQ and stick with it.
..even if they both are wet, it doesnt mean its the same composition or type of lubricant.. not everything thats "wet" mixes together seamlessly or works well or at all together. your not supposed to mix oils in your car either.. even though its all motor oil. its really very simple. just use one brand AND specific model of tape stock and stick with it.. if your ever going to do a head cleaning and switch something better then switch to panasonics MQ and stick with it.
Mike_Donis
Veteran
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
Fuji, Panasonic's MQs and PQs are dry - apparently the regular Panasonic tapes, though, are supposedly wet (or at least in the air).
But as has been said, stick with one kind, and everything will be okay! And MQs are the best.
Fuji, Panasonic's MQs and PQs are dry - apparently the regular Panasonic tapes, though, are supposedly wet (or at least in the air).
But as has been said, stick with one kind, and everything will be okay! And MQs are the best.
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
[quote author=HorseFilms link=board=Events;num=1103227806;start=0#4 date=12/16/04 at 18:30:35]I've heard of several people who use Sony tapes exclusively in the DVX without problems. If it's working for you, stick with it.[/quote]
I recently had a problem with my DVX, it was giving me an error message, telling me the cylinder heads were dirty. After talking to a Panasonic repair service center, I was told that I shouldn't be using Sony, which I've been using on my DVX since the day I bought it. The rep told me the the Sony tapes are a wet type and that causes problems and he told me to switch to Panasonic MQ tapes because they the dry type. Sony is a wet type tape. But here's the confusing part.....Panasonic also has a less expensive tape which is also wet! Why do they make this type of tape if it will clog up the heads?
I'm confused :-/
[quote author=HorseFilms link=board=Events;num=1103227806;start=0#4 date=12/16/04 at 18:30:35]I've heard of several people who use Sony tapes exclusively in the DVX without problems. If it's working for you, stick with it.[/quote]
I recently had a problem with my DVX, it was giving me an error message, telling me the cylinder heads were dirty. After talking to a Panasonic repair service center, I was told that I shouldn't be using Sony, which I've been using on my DVX since the day I bought it. The rep told me the the Sony tapes are a wet type and that causes problems and he told me to switch to Panasonic MQ tapes because they the dry type. Sony is a wet type tape. But here's the confusing part.....Panasonic also has a less expensive tape which is also wet! Why do they make this type of tape if it will clog up the heads?
I'm confused :-/
bodaphoto
Well-known member
Re: Does it matter what tape brand I use?
[quote author=scenic link=board=Events;num=1103227806;start=0#13 date=12/23/04 at 05:05:51]
.....Panasonic also has a less expensive tape which is also wet! Why do they make this type of tape if it will clog up the heads?
I'm confused :-/
[/quote]
The wet tapes that Panasonic sells are consumer tapes for consumer camcorders. The MQs & PQs are professional tapes and are dry lube for professioanl applications.
The same with film photography. Kodak the ergular gold and max line of film. They also sell the professional line of film the Portra series. There is a difference.
[quote author=scenic link=board=Events;num=1103227806;start=0#13 date=12/23/04 at 05:05:51]
.....Panasonic also has a less expensive tape which is also wet! Why do they make this type of tape if it will clog up the heads?
I'm confused :-/
[/quote]
The wet tapes that Panasonic sells are consumer tapes for consumer camcorders. The MQs & PQs are professional tapes and are dry lube for professioanl applications.
The same with film photography. Kodak the ergular gold and max line of film. They also sell the professional line of film the Portra series. There is a difference.