HELP = question about DV tapes!

[Kindredmachine]

I need to order a LOT of tapes for a DVX100 and I'm curious, besides the record time, what is the difference between the Panasonic 63 minute master tapes versus the 33 minute tapes. Is there any loss of video quality at all for using the 63 minute tapes? Here are the two products...

63 minutes
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...M63AMQ_AY_DVM63AMQ_Mini_DV_Videocassette.html

33 minutes
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...M33AMQ_AY_DVM33AMQ_Mini_DV_Videocassette.html

I'm asking because the 33 minute tapes are actually MORE EXPENSIVE than the 63 minute tapes, which make no sense to me. I have to place an order today for like 40-50 tapes so any advice would help!!

 

[ef03]

I would bet that they are more expensive because they are less popular.

Items that don't sell tend to be higher sometimes.

 

[badjuju]

I buy 63min AMQ tapes from B&H for $5.89. I usually buy 30 at a time.

 

[strangways]

63 minute tapes

63 minute tapes

63 minute tapes are the standard. I've never known anyone who shot on 33 minute tapes. I can't think of any reason to use 33 minute tapes, especially if they cost more.

The only problem you would have to watch out for is using tapes longer than 63 minutes. I can't remember what those are... 90 minutes, perhaps? Panasonic states that they will not work correctly with the DVX.

 

[ef03]

I wonder why they wont.

Panasonic makes a 90 minute tape.

The only thing I can see a 33 minute tape being used for would be final delivery. And even in that case it would be because a client demanded it. After bars and tone, slate, and black it would be perfect for a 30 minute show.

 

[Steward]

I've stated before... although I'm not sure if it was here...

I buy Maxell 60 min tapes... they come in an 8-pack at our local Sam's (Walmart fame) Warehouse for just over $21 bucks... That come to just about $2.70 apeice...

 

[strangways]

I have this funny feeling that I might have read somewhere that the 90 minute tapes use a thinner tape, so it will all fit in the cartridge, and that's why they don't recommend it in the DVX. More fragile, perhaps. Please note, this all speculation unless I can find an official source!

 

[dory_breaux]

I was just on a shoot with another DVX that was running the 90 minute tapes with no problem.

 

[strangways]

From the instruction manual

From the instruction manual

Okay, here we go, straight from Panasonic. The DVX100A Operating Instructions, page 23:

Use of the following mini DV cassette tapes is recommended for this camera recorder:
AY-DVM30 (30 minutes in the SP mode)
AY-DVM60 (60 minutes in the SP mode)

• Do not use 80-minute mini DV cassette tapes.

 

[ZazaCast]

I wonder why they wont.

Panasonic makes a 90 minute tape.

The only thing I can see a 33 minute tape being used for would be final delivery. And even in that case it would be because a client demanded it. After bars and tone, slate, and black it would be perfect for a 30 minute show.

Reason being the physical size of the cassette can't change, so to make a longer tape, you have to make the tape itself thinner....with thinner tape, there's more of a chance it might get tangled, stretch, or just break under the stress of the tape drive.