Tapes

araujofh

Veteran
Hi guys,

Up until reading this forum, I didn't know there were some tapes that were wet and others that were dry.

Now, can someone explain, once and for all, what tapes are appropriate for the camera and also for the decks. Because I read loads of contradictory comments on this.

Also, could someone explain as well the difference between wet tapes and dry tapes, and what effect it causes to the camera's head?

Thanks in advance

Fidel.
 
Re: Tapes

OK, here is the skinny as I've learned it. 1.) Pick a brand and stick to it because different brands have different lubes (wet or dry). When you mix the two lubes = glue = repair bill (usually at a very inconvient time). 2.) Use only 30min or 60min tapes, never the 90min ones per the manual. 3.) miniDV and DVCAM are interchangeable as long as you adhere to rules 1 & 2. 4.) Some folks are against EVER using a cleaning tape as it wears out the head.

I chose to use the 40min DVCAM (equiv to miniDV 60min) because my tapes will go into a Sony DSR-30 that has never had anything else in it. They are more $$ but I like to keep my DSR-30 happy.
 
Re: Tapes

Well, I have been using the DVM60ME. Those were the only ones I used.

I still have the DVM63 that came with the camera. Haven't used it yet.

Now for the deck, I am going to buy a DSR-11, and I still have loads of Sony DV Tapes and Mini-DV tapes.

The sony Mini-DV tapes are DVM60ME as well. And the full DV ones I don't really remember as I don't have them here.

But, would that affect my deck? If I use those tapes on the deck as well?

Thanks in advance.

All the best

Fidel.
 
Re: Tapes

Fuji DVM60ME uses the same dry lube manufacturing process as Pani as told to me by to different Fuji reps.
 
Re: Tapes

QS: Does different tapes record different video quality? I heard someone mentioned Panasonic Pro series give better picture quality than the Master Series (MQ). I've been using the cheapest EF series all the time!

Thanks experts!
 
Re: Tapes

DV tape cannot affect picture quality. Only the reliability of getting the picture recorded. All DV tape will record the picture identically, the difference is whether there's dropouts in the recording.
 
Re: Tapes

The only thing I have ran in my DVX are MQ's.

I have a Canon ZR40 that I ran one Sony tape through (school gave it to me when I took a video class), and since then have used both Fuji DVM60AME tapes, as well as Panasonic DVM60 tapes, and I've used a Panasonic "Dry Type" cleaning tape a few times.

While from now on I will only buy and use MQ's, regardless of the cam, may I use the ZR40 to capture stuff from the MQ's? Will I be reintroducing baddies (left over from the other Panny and Fuji's) if I put that MQ back into the DVX?

Paranoid,
~Andrew
 
Back
Top