HDX900 and tape stock

[Timothy M Tress]

I realize this question is not about the HVX200, but I didn't see a forum for the HVX900, and figured there may be folks here who have used or currently use this camera also.

My employer just purchased a HDX900. I am currently trying to determine the best tape stock to use. I want to get at least a 30 minute record time. I think Panasonic made a medium sized tape that would provide that record time in standard DVCPRO HD mode. However, many tape suppliers are telling me that Panasonic is no longer shipping this particular DVCPRO HD tape (medium size) that will fit in this camcorder. That seems crazy to me, but that is another subject.

Anyhow, my intent is to get at least a 30 minute record times.

I have been told, again, by several tape suppliers, that I can use regular DVCPRO tape (AJ-P66M), but will only get 16 minutes worth of record time if I shoot in the normal DVCPRO HD mode.

I think the camera will shoot in an LP mode that would effectively extend my record time to 32 minutes. If the camera does shoot in this LP mode (I don't know this for sure as it is brand new and I'm still plowing through the manual, etc.), will I suffer quality loss as happens in conventional LP analog recording? Or, since this is acutually digital information recording on the tape, will quality remain the same when shooting in LP mode?

What tape stock do you use?

 

[Axel Engstfeld]

That is exactly right. We use regular tapes DP121 -
DVCPRO actually of Fuji and they are for 66 minutes recording time on HDX900 this gives you 32 minutes recording. To my knowledge pana stopped producing the HD tapes and our distributer said "no difference anyway"
regards
axel

 

[skip]

I'm sure your assumption are correct. I rented one of these a couple of weeks back for a shoot and recorded 32 mins on standard AJ-P66M tapes.

best, skip

 

[Timothy M Tress]

Thank you all.
BTW, how did you like the images it produced?

 

[THoff]

Using LP mode instead of SP mode gets you the exact same quality.

The only difference is in the tape speed and therefore the recording density on the tape. A slower tape speed (LP mode) records the data more densely and increases the chance of a tape dropout.

 

[bgundu]

The HDX900 are great cameras. Great in low light too. However, the reds look too cherry-like at times at night.