What tape to use

S

skippyfetus

Carbonite Member
Ok, I guess I've never heard clear advice on what kind of tapes to use. Here's what I've heard:

a) always use the same kind of tapes
b) don't mix wet tapes and dry tapes
c) use panasonic pq or mq tapes

Now, I've always used the basic Panasonic tapes and have never had any problems with them. I'm getting ready to get a new camera, should I start off right using Panasonic PQ or MQ tapes? What if I use the cheap tapes for my day-to-day stuff and want to use PQ or MQ tapes for special occaisions, they're both Panasonic... are they both dry? Should I use MQ or PQ for special occaisions... I can't imagine that one would be much better than the other.
 
Re: What tape to use

Well one thing I'm pretty positive about is don't mix brands. So thats covered, well as far as PQ or MQ, well MQ is recommended by Panasonic. But the choice is up to you do
really want to risk it. Dry or Wet well make a choice and stick with it, because its not going to be pretty if you start switching. MQ's have always been recommended by fellow forum members so choice is yours.

Hope this helps, if it quited doesn't answer your question, a small search goes a long way.
Good luck.
 
Re: What tape to use

That's the thing though... I'd like a better reason for using tapes that cost twice as much than "the manufacturer recommends it". They also recommend using batteries that cost $100 bucks when I can get imports for a small fraction of that. They (the companies) use scare tactics like saying the warrenty is voided if you use third party batteries, which is rediculous because in many cases I've found the cheap ones to be BETTER than the brand name.
 
Re: What tape to use

Well the choice is always going to be ultimately yours, but if you want more reason heres acouple of old threads,
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Links;action=display;num=1095306598

http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Links;action=display;num=1094501072

http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Links;action=display;num=1093879618

http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Links;action=display;num=1093148269

http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Links;action=display;num=1090427431

I could go on and on but, atleast in everyone one of these threads the MQ is preferred, now it may not be a good enough reason for you to buy them, but it is for me.

And there will be instances when using a third party accessories is a good investment, for ex. the battery on this site, I'm going to get a pair pretty soon and save some money but, batteries are one thing and tapes are another.

Well man its up to you, if you feel that strongly about saving money go for it, its up to you.

Well take care....
 
Re: What tape to use

Yea, just the fact that SO many people suggest it, and have not run in to problems says alot.
 
Re: What tape to use

I'll check out those threads... it's not just about being cheap. I guess I'd like to be able to use cheap tapes for practice and MQ for important stuff. Will that cause any problems if they're both Panasonic? I guess that's the real question.
 
Re: What tape to use

It is my understanding that yes it will. I say go with the MQ tapes, and if your just practicing, fill up a tape, and then use it again, since it's just practice, the small degredation in quality won't matter.
 
Re: What tape to use

Ok, that brings me to another question:

Does using the same tape over and over have any effect on the heads?
 
Re: What tape to use

Nope. Just degrades the tape a little bit each time you do it.
 
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