Best miniDV tape to buy? (is Sony DVM60PR MiniDV tape junk?)
Michael Eskin
Is it just my camera, or is Sony DVM60PR not-so-great miniDV tape? I'm
seeing all kinds of dropouts and digital noise on my Sharp VLD500U. The
noise either appears as random block drops, or at times, the right side of
the image is completely lost in the noise. One of two tapes I bought is
pretty good, the other absolutely unusable. The tape that Sharp provided
with the recorder is perfect.
I hate to admit that I actually put a Panasonic tape in the camera last
night, which after a single 10 minute recording required me to finally buy
a Sony cleaning tape just to get the camera functioning once again, the
heads were completely clogged up. I retured the tapes to the Good Guys,
who swapped them for the DVM60PR tapes, which seem really marginal.
Are the Sony DVM60EXM or DVM60NME tapes less prone to dropouts? I've
already spent way too much on equipment, so I am looking for the best
possible tape I can find. I only need a couple for field recording so cost
really isn't a concern.
I would very much appreciate any recommendations.
Thanks!
Michael Eskin
Neuman - Ruether
Michael Eskin wrote in message ...
Wouldn't it be nice if tape compatibility problems were non-existent!!!
My experience with Sony DV camcorders has been that I had no drop-outs
with about 35 Sony DVM60EX tapes, no drop-outs with 10 of the earlier
(same?) ME's, no drop-outs with the three or four PR's I have used of
the 10 I have, but many drop-outs with the one Panasonic tape I tried.
Mixing the Sony tapes in the Sony camcorders has not resulted in problems,
but others have reported that simply switching tape brands will result
in drop-outs. A friend uses Panasonic tapes in his Panasonic EZ-1u with
apparently few problems... More reports...? BTW, I can spare a 5-pack of
the Sony DVM60EX (chipless) for $80 PP in US if you can't find them
elsewhere.
--
David Ruether
http://www.fcinet.com/ruether
rue...@fcinet.com
Dan Gunn
es...@cts.com (Michael Eskin) wrote:
>Is it just my camera, or is Sony DVM60PR not-so-great miniDV tape? I'm
>seeing all kinds of dropouts and digital noise on my Sharp VLD500U. The
>noise either appears as random block drops, or at times, the right side of
>the image is completely lost in the noise. One of two tapes I bought is
>pretty good, the other absolutely unusable. The tape that Sharp provided
>with the recorder is perfect.
>
>I hate to admit that I actually put a Panasonic tape in the camera last
>night, which after a single 10 minute recording required me to finally buy
>a Sony cleaning tape just to get the camera functioning once again, the
>heads were completely clogged up. I retured the tapes to the Good Guys,
>who swapped them for the DVM60PR tapes, which seem really marginal.
>
>Are the Sony DVM60EXM or DVM60NME tapes less prone to dropouts? I've
>already spent way too much on equipment, so I am looking for the best
>possible tape I can find. I only need a couple for field recording so cost
>really isn't a concern.
>
>I would very much appreciate any recommendations.
>
>
>Thanks!
>
>Michael Eskin
>
>--
>es...@cts.com
We went through the same thing but with every tape we tried. Finally,
someone told us that the Sony "DV Cam" tape was much better. We bought
a box of the 40 minute mini dvcam cassettes ( they run 60 minutes in a
vx1000 ).
NO MORE DROPOUTS!
This costs more but we recycle and the peace of mind is worth it.
Gunn's Atlanta 770.978.3686
br...@cmea.nospam.com
es...@cts.com (Michael Eskin) wrote:
>Is it just my camera, or is Sony DVM60PR not-so-great miniDV tape? I'm
>seeing all kinds of dropouts and digital noise on my Sharp VLD500U. The
>noise either appears as random block drops, or at times, the right side of
>the image is completely lost in the noise. One of two tapes I bought is
>pretty good, the other absolutely unusable. The tape that Sharp provided
>with the recorder is perfect.
>I hate to admit that I actually put a Panasonic tape in the camera last
>night, which after a single 10 minute recording required me to finally buy
>a Sony cleaning tape just to get the camera functioning once again, the
>heads were completely clogged up. I retured the tapes to the Good Guys,
>who swapped them for the DVM60PR tapes, which seem really marginal.
>Are the Sony DVM60EXM or DVM60NME tapes less prone to dropouts? I've
>already spent way too much on equipment, so I am looking for the best
>possible tape I can find. I only need a couple for field recording so cost
>really isn't a concern.
>I would very much appreciate any recommendations.
>Thanks!
>Michael Eskin
>--
>es...@cts.com
I like the Sony DVMNME tapes. It is my understanding that the Sony
DVM60PR tape has a less effective coating, which may lead to some of
the oxide leaving the tape after repeated passes. Since I use DV tape
while linear editing, I like to use a tape that is a little more
durable. I have heard that there is no difference in the actual tape
between the DVM60EXM and the DVM60NME. The EXM has the chip, but I
have not yet found a real use for the chip.