Tapes for the A1?

N

Norseman

New member
Hey all,

I've just recently acquired the A1 and have been shooting with the Canon HDV tapes to shoot SD and HDV...do I need to really be spending the money on the Canon tapes or will I get good quality with say...Panasonic HDV tapes...?

I know I can use any tape for SD but will I run into issue when I shot HDV without the Canon brand?

Thanks!
N
 
Stay away from Panasonic tape

Stay away from Panasonic tape

KeeganFlynn said:
Panasonic AMQs (although I guess they're discontinued now) or the new PQs work fine.
Click to expand...

I couldn't disagree more.

Panasonic brand tapes are the only brand that I have had drop outs with many times. I am at present using Sony DVM60 without one problem.

It is not worth the risk.
 
I've had 1 drop out (ironically on my first tape used) and none since in 15-20 tapes used. There are many other users on this forum who use the AMQs and swear by them.
 
I swear by JVC ProHD tapes. I haven't had any drop outs, lags, or any other kinds of faults that i experienced with the AMQ's.

Although the JVC's can be a bit pricy :D
 
You definitely don't need to spend the cash on the Canon tapes. As you'll have seen from other replies, everyone has their favourites. I like Sony.

My advice is:

1. Go for a reputable brand
2. Get decent quality - you don't have to buy the most expensive, but don't get the cehapest
3. Stick with one brand when you've picked it.
 
This link is to a store run by the Administrator on one of the other camera forums. The PQ (professional Quality) have worked beautifully for me so far, and at $15 for 5 are a great bargain.

(I have no financial interest in the store, and no connection other then I have bought from him.)

I think the unstated question you may have is whether you need HD tapes for the A1 or HV20/HV30. The answer is you DO NOT. Regular tapes record HDV just fine.
 
oh please, no sony's ;-)

kidding aside !

we shoot a lot with the XH A1
we have great experiences with the PANASONIC AY-DVM63-PQ (no drop-outs at all)
but we never use them twice ... kinda rule ...

JVCProHD taps are good too, but quite expensive ...
 
I tend to prefer the Sony DVM-63HDR, they run about $25 per 3 pack. Have had one quick drop out (surprisingly, during an interview with my film making idol, what a time to pick to error out, but I was able to cut around it well enough) in about a hundred hours of shooting on them on the XH-A1. I think the most important thing though is to just pick a tape brand and stick to it. Many will work fine, just make sure the quality is there. And don't reuse your tapes if you care about not losing important shots to a higher potential of drop outs. Not worth the $8 or whatever the tape is going to cost you.
 
Thanks a ton everyone. Looks like folks have their preferences and the main take away I'm seeing is you don't have to use Canon tapes...

Thanks again!
N
 
I've been using the XHA1 for years now, and have used a variety tape brands. Everything from Maxell DV Tape to Sony HDV. They all work fine, and I've never had a dropped frame. I do suggest investing in a head cleaning tape, though, but use it only when your camera tells you the tape heads are dirty (a warning will flash on the LCD).
 
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