dv tapes

sharpshooter

sharpshooter

Member
i was curious as to the type of tapes people are using with the best of results. this includes brand names, durations types etc. also how many times can you use a tape untill you begin to notice some degredation of quality. also has anyone had any experience with transporting tapes through x-ray machines ie custums, airlines etc. will be crossing the border and are concerned with traveling with multiple tapes for extended periods of time.. any and all help, as always, will be greatly appreciated.
 
I use Panasonic MQ 63min tapes exclusively and I only use them once. X-rays wont harm them, so no worries there.
 
Stick to Panasonic MQ or PQ brand - 63min. Don't cross brands like Sony, JVC, etc.... Using different brands will cause head clogs eventually due to the different types of lubricants used.
As for X-ray machines, I've heard people say it's not a problem but I don't take any chances. Go to your local photo store and buy one of those x-ray bags they sell for film. Place your shot tapes in there. I even place my CF's in there too.
As for re-using tapes, not recommended for important projects. For home movies I guess there's not really a problem with re-using a tape a couple/three times....
 
I totally agree with sticking to Panasonic PQ and MQ tapes as the safest bet, but I'd like to clarify something about mixing brands. It's relatively ok to mix amongst the Matsushita family made brands of JVC, Panasonic and Fuji (Fuji is not a Matsushita company but does buy from them) since they are all produced in the same factories. The problem primarily lies in mixing Sony made brands with the Matsushita brands since the lubricants are different. From what I have been lead to believe, the Sony tapes have a more dense wet type of lubricant. I'm not exactly sure what other manufacturers buy from Sony but I think Canon and Maxell? In addition, the Panasonic professional MQ tape uses a dry lubricant which I understand to be the optimum type to use.
 
Definitely Panasonic MQ. When I bought my new DVX100A I had dirty heads (apparently it can happen on new cameras too). Cleaned 'em up, switched to MQ, everything has been great since then
 
hey guys thanx for all who responded i greatly appreciate it. as always this site rocks. happy shooting. also i assume you are refering to camera filters with the abbreviation CF.?
 
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