Re: PD-170 Nightmare

Don't worry about this.

Use any name-brand tape you want.

I have used (literally) hundreds of Panasonic consumer-level off-the-shelf tapes in my PD150. (60 min and 80 min. lengths. Again, hundreds of them.)

Statistically, zero problems.

I sincerely believe that there is virtually NO DIFFERENCE between a brand-name consumer DV mini tape and a so-called "Professional" DVCAM-labled mini tape.

There are other opinions out there, but I have not seen any PROOF offered (other than the color of the case and higher prices) in this regard.

Again, I simply have zero problems (statistically) with using basic name-brand tapes.

MIGHT there ever be a problem using consumer DV tapes? Yes.
MIGHT there ever be a problem using high-dollar "DVCAM tapes?" Yes.