DV Tape Types

[1ishooter]

Hi everyone,

First post here ... be gentle

Looking for answers ... any idea which brand of DV tape (preferably those sold in Singapore) is considered dry and which is the wet type? I've been told that I'd risk mucking up the head if I inter mix tape types ... oh, by the way I have an old JVC DV cam ... inherited from my father who has got the HD bug.

Thanks in advance ... Jason

[jaegersing]

Hi Jason. Used to be that Panasonic and JVC were dry, Sony was wet. Not sure if this is still the case. I've been using Panasonic for many years, now I'm afraid to try anything different because of the potential for head gunk problems.

Richard

[pierceteo]

I have being using Sony..for the past donkey of years...good rule of thumb..whatever make ur cam is..try to stick with it...

[Dodol]

To make your videocam last longer, follow the rules below:

1) always use one type (or brand) of DV tape
2) preferably use a dry type of tape e.g. Panasonic
3) use a pro type of DV tape
4) use a stand alone rewinder for rewinding purpose
5) use a separate player to playback the DV tape
6) keep your videocam and tape in the Dry Cabinet
7) clean your video head regularly using the tape head cleaner

[lwm]

Originally Posted by Dodol To make your videocam last longer, follow the rules below: 1) always use one type (or brand) of DV tape 2) preferably use a dry type of tape e.g. Panasonic 3) use a pro type of DV tape 4) use a stand alone rewinder for rewinding purpose 5) use a separate player to playback the DV tape 6) keep your videocam and tape in the Dry Cabinet 7) clean your video head regularly using the tape head cleaner

Hi, could you please help to explain some of the points above?

2) What is dry or wet tape? And why is dry tape better? I read from above that Panasonic is dry, Sony is wet.

4) Where can we find a stand alone rewinder?

5) Does it mean having second camcorder? Will the picture look a bit different if play from a different player?

7) Do you mean those mini DV tape head cleaner that I just insert in and play (or record?)?

Thanks.

[Cecil]

I have a JVC SR-VS30E mini DV and S-VHS/VHs player recorder for sale, less than a year. new price is around $1800, going for $1200, anybody interested?

[hantanbl]

I were told by a TV station videographer that if you do not re-use the tapes, there is no need to clean the head. Not sure how true. I have been using the same cam to capture over 50 tapes (no recycle tape) without cleaning the head, so far so good.

[jaegersing]

Originally Posted by hantanbl I were told by a TV station videographer that if you do not re-use the tapes, there is no need to clean the head. Not sure how true. I have been using the same cam to capture over 50 tapes (no recycle tape) without cleaning the head, so far so good.

You should not need to clean the head very often, but there is no way to know when you are actually going to get a problem due to dirt. I would recommend that if you are going to shoot some important event where you cannot afford to screw up, you should run the cleaning tape for 5 or 10 seconds first (and then test that it is OK by recording a short sample and playing it back). Better safe than sorry!

[GhostSG]

Originally Posted by jaegersing Hi Jason. Used to be that Panasonic and JVC were dry, Sony was wet. Not sure if this is still the case. I've been using Panasonic for many years, now I'm afraid to try anything different because of the potential for head gunk problems. Richard

So far it is still the same for panasonic & jvc, one more dry type is TDK. So far, my working partners with brand new cams - XL2 & FX1 - they use wet tapes i.e. sony. But for me my cams are old - its OK to use dry (my own practise only hor - dun try this at home - try at your neighbour's home hahaha).

Frankly speaking its best to follow your manufacturer's recommendations stated in user manual etc cos they tested all kinds of tapes on the prototype before manufacturing the cams.

But the best practise is still stick to the same brand/type of tape for the same cam right from the start. BTW, try not to anyhow buy those DV tapes from those cheapo half-price/ whole sale stores - some tapes are imitations/ non- standard OEMs.