What kind of DV tapes do you use?

Matt Grunau

Matt Grunau

Adobe Demigod
So there are many kinds of tapes for miniDV out there. You can get a pack of six Maxell, JVC, Memorex for 20-30 bucks, or you can get one Panasonic "Master" tape for around the same. They are all DV 25s, so is the price to quality diference worth it? Can you get the same quality with a five dollar Maxell? Would anyone really notice a difference? What are the advantages of using a "Master" tape to a regular one as far as overall quality?

Just curious.
 
One major advantage is that they use dry lubrication, as opposed to the wet lubrication used by many competing brands. Wet lubrication is notorios for clogging the heads on your camera.

Aside from that, MQ's come in really cool cases.
 
rapier - If you search hard enough here you will find plenty of post discussing this matter. The reason not to mix brands of tapes is because of the lubricant used by different manufacturers. Mixing tapes is a recipe for clogged heads and drop-outs. You should stick with the Pana MQ's or PQ's - not even the other Panasonic tapes found at local drug stores.
 
It's not the tape, it's the lubricant. ONLY use panasonic tape in the DVX. If you have used other tapes you MUST clean out any residue (thre are tapes for this)
Panasonic uses a dry lubricant.
 
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