DV Tapes

[tylerhunt]

I'm very new the DV market but have had the urge to make a short movie for some time now. I just ordered a Sony DCR-TRV25 a couple days ago and look forward to using it, but I'm wondering if there are things to look for when buying DV tapes. Are they mostly the same or are some brands superior? I come from a computer background and I know the with computers the storage media brand doesn't really matter too much except for reliability. Is the same true for DV?

[machead]

I only use Sony I've used other brands of tapes but the additional info I can pull out of a Sony tape is very useful when capturing my footage(I have a Sony Camcorder)

[Yammeryammeryammer]

With most MiniDV tapes, it should matter a whole lot about the brand, but I wouldn't buy cheap cheap. I would go for like TDK or something at minimum. As long is it says ME in little box next to the tape model on the front of the cassette, you are generally going to be ok. Unless you want to do a lot of still stuff with a 'photo' option.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 03, 2002 12:17 AM: Message edited by: Yammeryammeryammer ]</font>

[tylerhunt]

Since 60 min. seems to be the most common size, are there any disadvantages to 80 min. tapes? Also, some of them have microchips. From what I've read it seems this is just for storing things like scene break locations and title information, but is the extra price worth the features and do all cameras support these tapes?

[SouthWalesFilmClub]

if you have a Sony Camcorder it is recommended you use only Sony tapes.

[ickle_jim]

but sony would say that wouldnt they...

[Xendar]

Dear tylerhunt

I would recommend using a well-known brand of tape such as Sony, Panasonic, TDK, and Fuji etc. I would also strongly recommend sticking to the brand of tape you use. This is because different tape manufacturers use different types of lubricant on their tapes. Mixing brands is effectively mixing lubricants. This can cause the tape heads and mechanisms to get clogged up, thus requiring the use of a tape head cleaner. Excessive use of tape head cleaners can damage the tape head.

I would also advise against using longer than 60-minute tapes. This is because the tape is thinner to fit all the extra tape into the cassette. These tapes are more likely to snap or suffer from drop out.

As for the tapes with microchips, yes you're right in saying that they can store scene and break information. In some cases they also allow the user to add extra in-camera effects to the tape, such as old-movie effect. Only certain cameras utilise this feature. Check your manual to see if your camera does.

Hope this helps.


Mark Smith
Neon Films - Home of the Adobe Premiere 6.5 Training Guide
www.neonfilms.co.uk

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ December 08, 2002 06:35 PM: Message edited by: Xendar ]</font>