Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

H

happymaan

New member
I work on a show where we have a pd-150 shooting DVCAM along side my DVX100 shooting DV. Our editor warned me that using sony DVCAM tapes in the DVX100 may not be the best thing for my camera...what do you guys think?

I do know about not changing brands of tape because of the lube used, but since everyone I know uses sony decided that I will only be using sony tapes in my camera. I switch between the DVCAM tapes and the Sony DVM60's ME, Premium.


Thanks
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

I read recently, as stated by a Panasonic rep, that it is highly recommended to use Panasonic branded MiniDV tapes with your DVX100(A). This is because of the lube, etc. Otherwise, the camera might develop some premature problems. I'm sort of paraphrasing it from memory but that was the idea.

So, it sounds like there is some truth to you your editor's advice. I know for me that my camera is very precious so I'll only use Panasonic pro-grade tapes.

-DC-
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

I use Sony Premiums and DVCAM in all my cameras and deck (including my Panasonic DVX100 and DVC200). I have not had any problems. I would expect much more issues by changing. I have hundreds of hours of Sony tape through my decks and do not plan to change to dry lub tape. I tried that years ago when I first got my DVC200, BAD MOVE.

Anyway, there may be some truth to MQ tapes being better for the heads, but all in all I think it's more of a marketing thing. I obviously could be wrong, but don't intend on causing issues with my other equipment. I believe sticking with one brand is advantageous. If you are not married to one brand or another, then I'd go with the MQs. For me, that's not an option.

For what it's worth,

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

Your on the right path.. switching tapes is bad.

The dvx heads where designed for use with the MQs, but who knows what that really means.

As for actual quality of tapes, as long as you stay away from Maxell you should be good (although Maxell has a new pro tape that is supposed to be very good)

Sony tapes arn't bad but use a lube that is very susceptable to contamination, not an issue if you keep things clean and dont mix.

As for the actual MiniDV standards comitee that tests the applicants, Fuji always has had the highest Quality of tape, in consistency and build for many years. I dont know if the Mq tape has surpassed that, as its not only the Dry lube but the actual property of the tape that makes it so good.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

I used sony DV cam tapes once on my old DVX100 and had a frightening experience. On playback it was all blocky, not quite like a head clog but like it couldn't keep up with the bit rate or something. Immediately I had horrors of maybe DVcam and mini DV really are different in more serious ways than I thought!" Anyway, play the tapes back in my el cheapo 1 chip sony camcorder, no problem. So, it seemed to be only a playback issue, not a record issue. But I stopped using the DVcam tapes. I now use Panasonic MQ tapes. This of course has not prevented the occasional head clog, but at least things play back properly when properly recorded.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

>>I used sony DV cam tapes once on my old DVX100 and had a frightening experienc<<

Had you used any other type of tape in the camera before or was this the first tape used in the camera?

Just curious...

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

I had used other tapes before. Mainly Panasonic MQ but I wasn't too picky. Any high end manufacturer was fine, or so I thought. Now I just stick to panasonic MQ. And wear my lucky shirt. And rub my belly and say "therewillbenoheadclogs!" three times fast. seems to work.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

[quote author=kstnate link=board=Events;num=1077061893;start=0#6 date=02/24/04 at 09:52:34]I had used other tapes before.  Mainly Panasonic MQ but I wasn't too picky.  Any high end manufacturer was fine, or so I thought.  Now I just stick to panasonic MQ.  And wear my lucky shirt.  And rub my belly and say "therewillbenoheadclogs!" three times fast.  seems to work.[/quote]


That would explain your problem. Mixing the Dry Lube of MQ with Sony Wet lube is a recipe for clogs (on any camera mind you..). It certainly happened with my DVC200. I just use Sony only now. If Panasonic MQ would have been out prior to me using so many Sony tapes in my other cameras and decks, I'd probably have switched.

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

Jarred, can you recommend a good retailer in BC that I can get Panasonic MQ tapes from? Or a good Canadian online retailer? I'm having trouble finding these tapes at a decent cost in Vancouver.

Also, I believe I read somewhere a while back that Fuji actually manufactures the Panasonic tapes. Is this true? I recently had to have my camera sent to Panasonic to have the heads replaced (thank god that it's covered under warranty...) They told me that my heads were clogged and they couldn't clean them (at least that's what I was told by the company I'm dealing with). The reason they gave was that I was probably using inferior tape stock. I've only ever used the mid-range Fuji DVC tapes, as I thought that it was a brand I could trust. I'm pretty confused at this point. Not sure if I can afford lots of Pana tapes for this doc project I'll be working on...
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

Reading all these posts re-enforces my decision to stay with Sony stock. I have been shooting with Sony BetaSP and now DVCAM (MiniDV as well) stock for over twenty years with no issues. I just received my 100A yesterday and haven't run 1" through the transport yet. Considering all the different editors who cut our material I think I'm doing them a favor by staying with a specific brand and initiating my 100A to one flavor as well.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

What you read about sticking with one BRAND of tape is good advice!!!

It is the wet/dry lube thing and what your camera heads get used to is what they should always see when a new cassette is inserted.

We have run severa hundred of the PANASONIC PQ tapes thru our DVX with no problem!!! A bit cheaper than MQ and since that is what we started with, that is what we are sticking with...

They seem to do just fine in the DVCPRO deck we use for capture also.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

[quote author=NickW link=board=Events;num=1077061893;start=0#8 date=02/25/04 at 10:08:47]Jarred, can you recommend a good retailer in BC that I can get Panasonic MQ tapes from? Or a good Canadian online retailer? I'm having trouble finding these tapes at a decent cost in Vancouver.
[/quote]

http://www.thetapehouse.com/ they are in burnaby, I think the price is $35CAD for 5 now.

Great people and they can deliver to you if you are on set in the lower mainland, or Fedex them to you if you are somewhere else (we had to get them to FEDEX 100 MQ tapes when we shot sleepover in Duncan in the fall)

If you go there though you can ask them to do the tour though and go in the back and see how they make tapes. It's pretty cool.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

oh and to add, even mixing wet tapes from different manufactures can be bad, like mixing Sony tapes with Fuji tapes. Stick to one brand and one type, and you should be fine.

or you can switch to HD recording like me and kick tapes to the curb.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

Whats the difference between PQ and MQ tapes, is it just quality? Are none of the pani tapes lubed? Also, how does a head clog happen and when it does is it doomed to be sent in for repairs? :-/
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

just my two cents--i've used nothing but 60min Sony DV tapes since I got my DVX and they've worked fine.

I agree with APDieb--I think the whole "only use Panasonic tapes" thing is just a marketing ploy. There is definitely a risk involved in switching tapes often, but if anyone is having an issue with clogs from running only one type of a non-Panny tape stock, then there's something wrong with the camera. a miniDV camera should work with ALL types of miniDV tapes. to force someone to buy your company's tapes is sleazy at best.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

Heres the Jist.. And it makes good sense to me. I was reading and dont remember where that the dry lube is an upgrade .. Without the oily residue from wet tapes the DV mechanism will last longer without repair.

I have a military background. My knowledge coincdes with this information. As we used (dry film lube) to coat the mechanisms of our weapons as opposed to the old way of gun oil lubricant that gummed up the works after moderate use..

My 2C
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

Thanks Jarred, much appreciated. I've sent them an email just to double check on the price. If it's correct, seems like a great deal to me.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

Just bought a box from them yesterday for $6 CAD each. Wicked price.
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

OK then. I'm using my old Sony PC100 as playback deck. I ran a tape cleaner through it before putting my Panasonic MQ tapes in. Now, if I re-use that tape (which I will) in my new (sigh) DVX100A, will I dirty things up? If I'm pulling video from Sony tapes, then Panny tapes (again with the PC100 as a playback deck), then re-using the Panny tapes in the DVX100A, am I making things double-dirty?

Thanks,
D

Oh, I got the cam and a case (50) of MQ tapes through Rush at EVS 2 weeks ago. Joy!
 
Re: Using sony miniDV CAM tapes

That's the same dilema I find myself in on occasion too Daflye...

Everything I shoot is through the dvx on MQ tapes... but there's about 500 Sony tapes shot through a PD150 that have many hours of footage I need for different projects on them... I capture through a Sony GV-D1000, but haven't noticed any problems with that deck (yet) from capturing from both types of tapes.... ---fingers crossed--- :-/
 
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