Re: SONY HVR-V1U - WHAT TAPES TO USE? thank you! by Brian Louis on Jul 27, 2009 at 11:33:19 pm
The problem is dropouts, the more expensive tapes like the Sony HDV and Panasonic AMQ are supposed to formulated so they minimize dropouts due to minor tape imperfections, that doesn't stop random dropouts for things like loose packed tapes, dust and other debris getting on the heads momentarily.
Dropouts can be from a whole GOP to a few frames at the end of a GOP, the dropouts also can cause lose of audio sync on capture, its a matter of how many dropouts can you afford in a session particularly with shooting single cams or Oners
Re: SONY HVR-V1U - WHAT TAPES TO USE? thank you! by Christopher Kinsman on Jul 28, 2009 at 5:41:26 am
Hey Jessie, I was always worried about buying the right tape too. I've been shooting on HDV cameras for 4.5 years and have used only Sony tapes in my Sony Cameras. I've used the $13 hdv tapes, $10 DV CAM, $8 Sony Excellence and their low end sub $3 premium - and to tell you the truth - I've never had a drop-out ruin a shot. I've always rolled 2 cams at my events and when burning through 10 to 15 tapes per event, that's a lot of tapes. I will say that I have my cameras pro cleaned every 6 months. I try and rewind/search all my tapes in a deck to keep junk on the camera heads to a minimum. In short, what I'm saying is - if the shot is life or death to your career - eliminate the negatives you can control - buy a better tape, but I've literally shot on sony premiums all around the world with no problems - and believe me - I'm not that "lucky"! Whether or not the difference in quality relates to longer vault life for long term storage - I can't say. Hope this helps ease some stress.
Kind Regards,
Chris
Re: SONY HVR-V1U - WHAT TAPES TO USE? thank you! by Jessie Smith on Jul 28, 2009 at 1:51:03 pm
Hi Chris, thank you for your reply! This makes a lot of sense. What do you think about using Panasonic tapes? I am using a panasonic camcorder to capture tapes and one of my larger projects is shot on panasonic camera/tapes. If I start screening Sony and Panasonic tapes on that poor camcorder it will probably die sooner. So the question is: using Panasonic tapes on Sony HD camera - is it ok?
Re: SONY HVR-V1U - WHAT TAPES TO USE? thank you! by Alan Lloyd on Jul 28, 2009 at 3:55:34 pm
Sony and Panasonic use different lubrication formulations, and the real answer is to find one you like and stay with that, as the two do not get along well. Head clogs result from mixing tape stock as often as from any other cause in the DV/HDV world.
Re: SONY HVR-V1U - WHAT TAPES TO USE? thank you! by Christopher Kinsman on Jul 29, 2009 at 6:47:32 am
I have no reason to believe that panasonic tapes are any less quality than Sony. I am a firm believer in matching tapes to camcorders, so I only use Sony. I am aware of different brands using different oils and even the dry tape, wet tape debate. In past work on Sony VX1000 camera, I noticed higher rates of drop out when mixing tape brands and camcorders ie a panasonic tape shot in a Cannon camera getting dig'd on a Sony deck. Best of luck!
Chris
