which DV tape to use - does it matter?

KDE

KDE

Member
I wanted to get opinions on dv tapes. I noticed while looking through the post for cameras for sale, a few people made note they had ONLY used panasonic tapes. Does the brand really matter? Will cheap tapes actually hurt the camera heads? (besides the obvious picture quality issues).

Thanks
Kent
(New DVX100b owner! :love4: )
 
It's not the expense, it's the lubrication. Panasonic is dry lube, and Sony is wet. Mixing them will cause problems and gum up the heads.

Stick with Panasonic MQ (PQ at least). Whatever you use, though, stay with that brand.

Congrats on the B, and welcome to DVXuser!
 
I'm told that the DVX should be used with dry lube but the panny tapes have caused me nightmares.

I use the sony master series. No problems even without striping.

goodluck.

-rook
 
I use Sony Premiums. I used them for years in my GL1 and I use them in my DVX. Just pick a brand and stick to it...whatever is readily available.

I've heard from several people that the Sony's are in fact dry lube. I would love a definitive answer on this. I'll Call Mr. Sony.
 
No, the Sony's are NOT dry lube. I took a project into my local college on a Sony tape and they got pissed as they realized it was a Sony tape AFTER it had gone into their deck and gummed it up. And it was like instantaneous. About 6 seconds into the tape it started to drop out like crazy and wouldn't play. They had to clean their deck. Asked me to never bring in anything on Sony tapes again. Ok, so it's not going to be that quick and crazy if you use one Sony tape. Just follow the advice that has been given. Pick ONE brand and stick with it. Doesn't matter what it is. Just get one and go with it.
 
so everyone is talking about what brand not to use. but nobody is saying a specific brand to stay with. someone give us a more specific kind of Tape & brand to use for a dvx100b. thank you.
 
finally!!! thank you guys....

i started a thread called >vcr mode problem< in which i complained about the my used dvx not displaying anything when playing back footage in the camera. i had the thing cleaned and it didn't help.

then i remembered that the guy who sold me the camera said he used sony tapes, and realized-after being told by panny technicians, and reading on here-:love4: that i need to stick with what was being used prior to me.

sure enough, i just popped in an old sony tape from my crappo sony cam---and hallelujah!! shot for a minute and played back in the dvx. perfect!!!

thanks!
 
terrorpictures said:
so everyone is talking about what brand not to use. but nobody is saying a specific brand to stay with. someone give us a more specific kind of Tape & brand to use for a dvx100b. thank you.
Click to expand...

Read my post again.
 
thanks for the input !
what about "casual" usage. kids birthdays, school programs, little league games, etc... do you use cheap tapes? can they/do they actually cause damage to the heads, or do you pull out the old palm-corder and save the heads of the dvx for the good stuff ?

thanks again!
 
I don't think cheap tapes will cause damage to the heads, as long as you're using the same brand of tape. A cheaper tape might be more prone to dropouts.
If you have a cheap camcorder, you can connect it to the DVX via firewire, and record directly to that camera with no wear on the heads of the DVX. It's a pretty cool feature for people like me that baby their equipment. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go massage my matte box.
 
-Pick a tape brand and kind, and always stick with it - I've used Sony Premiums for 5 years with not one problem (not saying that other tapes aren't just as good or better).
-Don't use your DVX as a VTR; when you put a tape in your DVX it should come fresh from the sealed package.
-Always keep tapes in their cases - the tape is the tiniest bit magnetic and can pick up all kinds of dust and stuff.
-Label your tapes.
-Keep them away from areas of humidity and moisture. A cool storage space is better than hot, but whatever you do don't let your tapes be sucseptible to drastic temperature changes.

I've learned the hard way.
 
In regards to the Sony Premium tapes I've actually called Sony on 2 different occasions and spoke with two different people and they informed me that the premium tapes are dry lube. This was about 4 months ago. I was also told by a Ritz Camera Rep. that they were dry lube as well, but you can take that for what it's worth. I do however actually currently use them in my dvx and haven't had any problems. I waiting until I get 100 hrs and get the camera cleaned then i will switch to my panasonics
 
IMO the Sony Premium or Panasonic Master. Now this is pretty much what is the most bang for your buck. The key that i've found is that it's easier for me to find the sony premiums over the panasonic but it you buy in advance or have a spot near you with them there really isn't a huge price savings over either
 
Oh snap.

I'm using Sony Digital Master tapes. Way too expensive to be using all the time... $15 a pop.

Did I just fudge myself with camera playback (from what I've read)?
 
Considering that the Panny 60 min MQ tapes are around $5 ea, I can't see any reason to use anything else in my DVX100B.
 
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