Tape Recommendations?

I recently switched from panasonic tapes to Sony (run a head cleaner thru the cam first if you switch brands), and, so far, I highley prefer them.
 
Im using the Panasonic DVM63PQ, and I have previously used Sony and Canon types. Sony tapes are usually more expensive (depending on quality) and the Canon tapes are good but get really graining after a few uses on them.
 
Sony tapes are good, but usually a bit expensive. For my DVX I use Panasonic, because thats what came with it. I don't like to rerecord over things, so I don't know if either one loses quality after a few times.

I say go with whatever is most abundant wherever you are. Probably Sony. But definitely stick with Sony or Panasonic. But remember to clean the heads before switching brands.
 
the manual reccomends either the pq's or amq's and i use the pq's. they work fine, are "pro" quality and are reccomended for the camera. and dory, what exactly do u prefer so greatly about the sonys? i dont see any noticeable quality difference between when i used sonys previously or pannys now...
 
Do not record over tapes.

I prefer them because with the Panasonic tapes I experianced quite a few bad dropout problems. Also, I can not find the Panny tapes anywhere in my area, and I'd prefer to be able to just run down to Longs or Rite Ade and pick up a tape in case of an emergency instead of not being able to shoot (like it was with film).
 
If you record over a tape a few times it starts to lose quality, i have done that when filming BMX, I used the same tape the entire summer (a lot of filming) not one frame dropped on the Canon tapes but there was more noticable grain.
 
Does anyone know of any stores that generally sell Panasonic PQ or AMQ tapes? I would like to stick with Panasonic, but so far I only have the tape that came with the camera, and I predict that I will fill the tape tomorrow before I am done filming, so I was hoping there was somewhere I could drop by to pick some up locally. Any chain stores that I should check out that you've had luck with?
 
What product from Sony do you suggest to use, if those are easy to find outside of purchasing on-line?

I was surprised last night that I had agreed to film something today, and I had completely forgot about it. It needs to be filmed today, and I don't have enough tape to film the whole thing. So, if anyone knows where I can find suitable tapes around town, that would be great. Any retail stores.
 
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Hi I was wondering if it really makes a difference if you switch brands. Also, why professional tapes over normal? I'm not shooting anything for a job, just my own little productions, and have never used a single pro tape in my camcorder. How much of a difference does it make? I really don't want to spend the extra bucks if it doesn't improve much...

Btw, I am really new to the DVX, and I havent even recieved it yet (its still being shipped) so dont get mad if I come off a little stupid ;)
 
I am going to buy on-line soon, but the earliest the tapes could even be shipped is Tuesday, and I am filming today.

Is it bad for the camera to re-use tapes, or does that just affect the quality of the footage? The footage I get doesn't need to be great, but I don't want to do anything that could damage the camera.
 
Professional tapes don't offer anything in terms of image quality but they are better for your heads and keep the camera cleaner. I've used both Sony and Panasonic PQs they both work fine but as I understand it they use very different bases - the Panasonic being formulated for the DVX heads are better in the long term.
 
Yes, changing tape brands makes a big difference. I changed from Sony to Panasonic without cleaning the heads and the images were all sparkle - very dirty until I cleaned the heads. Cleaning the heads causes wear - to be avoided.
 
Austinv said:
If you record over a tape a few times it starts to lose quality, i have done that when filming BMX, I used the same tape the entire summer (a lot of filming) not one frame dropped on the Canon tapes but there was more noticable grain.
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I do not understand. If the tapes are capturing 1's and 0's, how could there be more grain in a re-used tape? Is there error correction taking place that fills in the missing digital data that becomes graniness? To what point would the error correction cover the image until there was a total drop-out?

Barry?, anyone?
 
badjuju said:
I do not understand. If the tapes are capturing 1's and 0's, how could there be more grain in a re-used tape? Is there error correction taking place that fills in the missing digital data that becomes graniness? To what point would the error correction cover the image until there was a total drop-out?

Barry?, anyone?
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Well, for one, tapes are not meant to be recorded over. The trick is, it doesnt actually erase the magnetic data that was recorded before, it literally records over it. So, physically, its almost like a double exposure on film, except the head only plays back the top recording. Plus, the more a tape is used (recorded, played, rewound... anything really), the more its quality degrades.
 
so the miniDV tapes aren't like the DigiBeta tapes I use at work that can be bulk erased and re-used? If I ran my miniDV tapes through the bulk eraser, will that re align the magnetic particles to a "like new" state?

the high end tapes can get a bit pricey.
 
I've reused tapes many times with no problems. I've had a couple of dropped frames, but I had dropped frames on the first recording too.
 
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