What MiniDV tapes to use for HVX200a

M

mrbrycel

Well-known member
So I've finally decided that my next purchase will be an HVX200a instead of an HPX170. Its possible I'll have a need for tape in the near future, and I like the idea of being able to shoot 720p with variable frame rates, then downconvert to DV within the camera.

I know that mixing tapes is a bad idea. I have 3 panasonic tapes I got for christmas years ago that I never used on my Sony vx1000, and I might finally have a use for them. My only problem is that all the DV decks that I have access to are Sony. I've heard Panasonic tapes have had a lot of trouble trying to capture on them. Would It be better to use only Sony tapes with the HVX to avoid capture problems? Or should Sony tapes not be used at all on a Panasonic camera?
 
Why don't you use P2 cards?
If you don't have any, try to save up and get two P2 cards. It's worth it. I don't even know how you can even stand DV tape!!! they make me sick. lol.
 
No doubt I will be using P2 for the majority of the time. If I needed a MiniDV camera, I'd buy a DVX100b. But there will probably come occasional times when I need to shoot MiniDV.

So Sony Premiums are fine to use with the HVX as long as I use only Sony Premiums?
 
Sony DVM 63. Its labeled as an HD tape but is really just a high quality DV tape. Works great with any DV camera and I have used it with my HVX200a with no problems.
 
brand of tape to brand of camera is a non-issue. even mixing brands of tape is little if any. just find one that works for you and stick with it.

when i was a tape useri used the blue label sonys and never had an issue.

i wouldnt though, use tape thats been sitting for over a year.
 
Ive used the Panasonic DVM63PQ since owning the camera. Pick something and stick with it, as wqzn said.

good luck!
Mike
 
We've been using Sony minidvs for years--I've seen problems with Panasonics and JVCs. And good point--stick with one tape format. Many of them have different lubrications, and it can gum up the heads. Friend of mine shot something a little while back on two XL1 cameras, and used a JVC tape and both cameras had to go in for repairs. The audio went out of sync and the video had a lot of digital "hits."

Don't forget to use the tape head cleaner at least once a month, but not too often. If you don't use the tape transport system often, maybe every two to three months.

David
 
Dwells nailed it. Mixing tape brands is a big no-no in the world of DV, doesn't matter nearly as much in the world of big formats like HDCAM and DBeta but the tolerances are so miniscule in the DV format that gumming up of the transport capstan really affects your picture.

I always used Sonys just because the Panasonics are more expensive and much harder to find.

Just put Sony only through it and you will be fine.

Dan
 
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Don't mix tapes, on the HVX-200a that i use for work we only use Panasonic, 2 days ago my boss showed me that there had been a sony tape in the camera and that he had to use/buy a cleaning tape while on the field and filming because ONE sony tape gave him venetian blinds. One tape was enough to mess up the Panasonic tapes. So stick and stick and stick to one tape brand.
 
Exactly right. Like I said before, a friend was using an XL1 with Sony tapes for years, then went cheap for one project with new tapes, and had to re-shoot the entire production at his expense.

David
 
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