Switching Tape Brands after a few hours of use...

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PhilMNoir

Member
I've acquired a dvx100b from a guy who previously used JVC tapes with a total of 6 hours worth of use. I'd prefer to use Panasonic tapes, but realize there are issues when mixing brands. Are these issues really a problem with so few hours on the camera?

Short version: Can i use Panasonic tapes or should i stick with JVC?
 
you should be just fine using panasonic tapes without a problem.
I read here that Sony's are the only wet tapes so JVC should be dry tapes like panny so it's okay.

cleaning the heads is the last thing you would want to do.
 
I recently found a web page that discusses miniDV tape brands and the problems caused by switching between Sony and other tape brands. Among other things, there is this quote:

The Protape salesrep informed me today:
There are only two miniDV tape OEMs: SONY and Panasonic. They have the only
miniDV tape factories. Fuji, Maxell, JVC, TDK are really re-branded
Panasonic tapes.

Another states that Panasonic uses the same, identical lubricant as all other tapes, except Sony.

I believe it is the last entry that states that the main problem comes from ME (metal evaporated) tapes and that switching between brands of ME tapes leaves a plastic-like coating on the heads. MP (metal particle) tapes supposedly cause fewer issues. I don't know but I have used Panasonic, Maxell and Fuji tapes interchangeably with no problems in any of my camcorders, including my DVX100B. I used a Sony tape only once and it immediately gunked up my little JVC. I have never used a JVC tape, so I cannot comment on them.


For anyone interested in reading "The Great Tape Debate," here is the URL:

http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/head.txt
 
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