which mini dv's to buy?

[Big fish63]

other than choosing between a hd (hdv) mini dv and a standard mini dv tape is there anything to consider?

up to now i have just been buying packs of 5 to film with. i want to make a bulk buy now, i know i'll obviously have to pay out a little bit now but in the long run there is a saving to be made.

i have heard once you start using one type of tape in your camera its not good practice to use another make. is this true?

which of these 2 tapes would be the better buy? i have been using sony up to now.

NEW 50 PANASONIC DVC HDV Hi Def MINI DV TAPES DVM63HDE on eBay (end time 03-Apr-11 12:43:51 BST)

60 Sony HD Mini DV minidv hdv dvm63hd cassette tape on eBay (end time 26-Mar-11 14:52:24 GMT)


im also worried i could be buying counterfeit goods from ebay, do people make 'fake' tapes?

my camera is a sony fx7

thanks.

 

[umbert]

I did use those Sony tapes. Very satisfied. Cannot comment on Panas.
fake tapes ? I'm not sure... maybe

 

[diversteve]

I've always shot the blue Sony DVC's. No dropouts ever...but I rarely re-use a tape.

They're 1/2 the price of the "HDV" tape...

 

[sharksdelight]

Whatever brand you pick, stay with that brand. Heads do not like the mixing of different tape configurations. I prefer, and have always used Sony tapes. Premium or Excellence, use both or either and you will be fine.
Steve

 

[Big fish63]

Whatever brand you pick, stay with that brand. Heads do not like the mixing of different tape configurations. I prefer, and have always used Sony tapes. Premium or Excellence, use both or either and you will be fine.
Steve

thanks that's the info i was looking for.


steve, do those blue sony mini dv's shoot in the hdv format? what is the product number of the tape?

thanks

 

[diversteve]

thanks that's the info i was looking for.


steve, do those blue sony mini dv's shoot in the hdv format? what is the product number of the tape?

thanks

Yes, digital is digital. DVC60PRL or DVM60PRR - I think the DVC60PRL is the newer one. 10/$20:

Amazon.com: Sony DVC60PRL Mini DV Tape 60min Premium Data Cartridge 10 Packs: Electronics

 

[sharksdelight]

If your cam is HDV than the tapes will record in the HDV format. Depending upon the NLE you use, you will probably want to transcode the footage to Pro Res if you are on a Mac. I highly recommend using this site to order your tapes as their service, prices and delivery is excellent
Tape Resources - Printable DVD-R Discs, Mini DV Tapes, External Hard Drives, LTO Tapes, DLTtape, DVCAM Tapes, Super DLT Tape, SDLT, Disc Publishers, Batteries, Printable Blu-ray Discs, SxS Cards, P2 Cards, DVCPro Tapes, Camera Hard Drives and More
Steve

 

[Big fish63]

thanks guys.

i checked out the link above and there prices certainly look very competitive.

but first, i need to go back to basics before choosing which tape to buy. So it doesn't matter which sony mini dv i buy as long as i have the hdv function switched on it will record 1080i quality?

i'm just a little confused, the way sony market there hdv tape above on there website it comes across (to me anyway) that this tape is used when you want to record in high definition?

if they will both record the same high definition video why would one choose to by the hdv tape which is 3 times more expensive?

 

[diversteve]

if they will both record the same high definition video why would one choose to by the hdv tape which is 3 times more expensive?

the way sony market there hdv tape

From Wikipedia:

Tape manufacturers also offer MiniDV cassettes specifically for HDV recording. Such cassettes have the same Metal Evaporate (ME) formulation as normal DV cassettes, but are manufactured with smaller tolerances. These cassettes are claimed to have reduced drop-out rate compared to standard DV cassettes. Usage of such cassettes is not required by HDV specification.

 

[sharksdelight]

You really don't need to buy their more expensive HDV tape. Just buy either the Sony Premium or Excellence tape and, if your cam is set to shoot in HDV which is the setting by default, you will be just fine.
The differences between the tapes are in their magnetic backing and the expensive but unnecessary backing of the HDV tape helps prevent magnetic flaking when using a tape for multiple passes. However, and hopefully, you will not use any tape more than once, so this should not be an issue. The Excellence tape is supposed to be better than the Premium, however, after many years of using all 3 formulations, I do not expect you to notice any difference what so ever. Just buy either the Excellence or Premium and you will be happy with your footage. Remember to waste the first and last minute of every tape as there tends to be more tape stretch at the ends of all tapes. Also, only buy 60 minute tapes and not the longer configurations since they have thinner backings and are more prone to tape drop outs. Once you have logged and captured your clips, rewind the tape to the beginning and stand the tape up vertically, not horizontally, and you will keep these as master archives. Remember to back up all your media on a second hard drive. I usually do 3 or 4 back ups of all media.
Steve