Best place to buy mini DV tapes??

cliveg · 19-01-2006, 9:44 AM

Hi...can anyone tell me the best (cheapest!) place to get mini DV tapes, and what make to get??

Thanks,

Clive

mjcairney · 19-01-2006, 10:04 AM

They're well priced at http://www.tapestock.co.uk/acatalog/Mini_DV_Tapes.html

Cheers,

Martin.

cliveg · 19-01-2006, 10:25 AM

Thanks Martin...I'll have a look...

Cheers,

Clive

cliveg · 19-01-2006, 10:35 AM

Hi again...what does "digital video without IC memory" mean

The Sony and JVC tapes both list this in their description.

Cheers,

Clive

mjcairney · 19-01-2006, 10:54 AM

The IC Memory is a little chip on the cassette which will remember where the last bit you taped stops - useful if you want to view something and then return to the (exact) end for more recording.

Personally, I just buy the tapes without that feature.

Cheers,

Martin.

cliveg · 19-01-2006, 11:05 AM

Thanks again Martin...I appreciate it...

Just gonna order 3 x JVC tapes from them...

Cheers for the link,

Clive

mjcairney · 19-01-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliveg

Thanks again Martin...I appreciate it...

Just gonna order 3 x JVC tapes from them...

Cheers for the link,

Clive

My pleasure.

Cheers,

Martin.

melliott1963 · 19-01-2006, 12:34 PM

As far as what make to get, I think you'll find that the most important factor is that once you buy one particular brand of tape, you should stick to that brand.

Things might have changed, but as far as I'm aware, different brand of tapes have different compositions, and mixing them can cause your tape head to clog up.

By the way, you might also like to look at http://www.discountdiscs.co.uk

Their prices get cheaper the more you buy and come with free postage. I've used them several times.

Hope this helps.

IAmATeaf · 19-01-2006, 2:59 PM

Have also read about keeping to 1 particular brand of tapes a few years ago, it's to do with the type of lubrication the manufacturer uses on the tape surface so when mixing tapes from 1 to the other there's a possibility that the recording heads will get clogged as reminants of the previous lubrication matter may interact with the current.

I use http://pricebuster.org.uk/ and if like me you live in or near the Harrow area you can pick up the tapes in store for the same price saving on P+P.

BananaTiger · 12-02-2006, 2:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

Have also read about keeping to 1 particular brand of tapes a few years ago, it's to do with the type of lubrication the manufacturer uses on the tape surface so when mixing tapes from 1 to the other there's a possibility that the recording heads will get clogged as reminants of the previous lubrication matter may interact with the current.

Can I use the same brand but different types of tape? I've been using the Panasonic DVC Mini DV Tape (60 mins SP) but there is also a Panasonic Linear Plus Mini DV tape (80 mins SP). I'll probably stick with the 60 mins tape since it's cheaper but would there be any problems if I used the 80 mins tape in the future?

EDIT: There's also a 60 mins Linear Plus mini DV tape too. Is that different enough from the regular DVC tapes to cause problems?

**senu** · 12-02-2006, 4:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BananaTiger

Can I use the same brand but different types of tape?

Yes

Quote:

I've been using the Panasonic DVC Mini DV Tape (60 mins SP) but there is also a Panasonic Linear Plus Mini DV tape (80 mins SP). I'll probably stick with the 60 mins tape since it's cheaper but would there be any problems if I used the 80 mins tape in the future?

I would try one or two. Or try the 60 min on long play if absolute clarity is not a top priority. If there are any problems they would be related to inherent problems with increased tape length not lubricant.

Quote:

EDIT: There's also a 60 mins Linear Plus mini DV tape too. Is that different enough from the regular DVC tapes to cause problems?

Probably not .
The issue of brand incompatibitity mainly concerned the use of Sony tapes( with "wet" lubricant) vs others Brands.
Confusingly, Sony itself changed back to "dry " lubricants when there was a furore but no one now knows for sure which Stock contains what and the Companies are keeping sealed lips pretending there is no problem.

Freelancer · 27-02-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

I use http://pricebuster.org.uk/ and if like me you live in or near the Harrow area you can pick up the tapes in store for the same price saving on P+P.

For sony tapes at least, they seem to supply a good variety. They have the premium 60 mins, with chips (which are used for what by the way?), 80 mins.

It's best to buy more from them becasuse there's an £8 delivery charge it seems.

I'm wondering though, it's the same brand, ie Sony, but is is ok to use different types of the tapes (60 mins)? If sony have one with a wet lubricant, which one would it be?

**senu** · 27-02-2006, 5:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freelancer

I'm wondering though, it's the same brand, ie Sony, but is is ok to use different types of the tapes (60 mins)? If sony have one with a wet lubricant, which one would it be?

Yes, I believe its ok

I dont think Sony use different Lubricants on thier various variety of tapes anymore though they keep sealed lips on this issue.
When they released the new HDV cameras : FX1 & Z1 and the problem began to resurface They adviced use of "Professional high end" tapes (marketing gimmick). It may be that they had some older stock of the different type of lubricant still left on shelves. I have for the past 18- 24 months used the various Sony types obtained from different stockists withou any problems.
Suffice to say that when it occured the problem was very real and it was either a case of get the ( camcorder) heads professionally cleaned or thrash the camcorder as simple head cleaners just wouldnt work satisfactorily

mjcairney · 27-02-2006, 8:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freelancer

They have the premium 60 mins, with chips (which are used for what by the way?), 80 mins.

See my Post (Nr 5 above) in this thread.

Cheers,

Martin.

MarkE19 · 27-02-2006, 10:29 AM

But be aware that most of the consumer camcorders can't actually read or write to the chip in these tapes, so a complete waiste of money for most users

Mark.

mjcairney · 27-02-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkE19

But be aware that most of the consumer camcorders can't actually read or write to the chip in these tapes, so a complete waiste of money for most users

Mark.

Agreed - to the best of my knowledge, it's only some of the Sony's that have that capability.

Cheers,

Martin.

MarkE19 · 27-02-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjcairney

Agreed - to the best of my knowledge, it's only some of the Sony's that have that capability.

Cheers,

Martin.

Perhaps that would explain why only Sony miniDV tapes are available with the chip then

Seriously though, for just about all consumers there is IMO no point in paying extra money for the DV tapes with the chip, even if you have a camcorder that can make use of them.

Mark.

mjcairney · 27-02-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkE19

Perhaps that would explain why only Sony miniDV tapes are available with the chip then

Seriously though, for just about all consumers there is IMO no point in paying extra money for the DV tapes with the chip, even if you have a camcorder that can make use of them.

Mark.

Yes, if you look at Post #5 you will see that I totally agree with you.

Cheers,

Martin.

beachy · 01-03-2006, 11:37 AM

i bought mine from discountdiscs.com sony premium dv £2.50 each free p+p, all i have to do now is learn how to transfer them to my pc and copy to dvd (see my previous post)

mjcairney · 01-03-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachy

i bought mine from discountdiscs.com sony premium dv £2.50 each free p+p, all i have to do now is learn how to transfer them to my pc and copy to dvd (see my previous post)

Should that not be www.discountdiscs.co.uk ?

Cheers,

Martin.

beachy · 01-03-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjcairney

Should that not be www.discountdiscs.co.uk ?

Cheers,

Martin.

yes of course it should, i stand corrected

apologies.

RSMORRIS · 01-03-2006, 7:35 PM

The cheapest place I'm aware of to buy Sony DVM Premium tapes is Amazon.
Search for 10DVM60PR and you'll find a 10 pack for only £16.45 delivered!

fcat · 01-03-2006, 9:09 PM

be carefull if you buy these off "amazon" as your not buying them OFF amazon but only through their website only and the sellers feedback isnt brilliant!!

ebays good value, 10 pack of Sony premium for £21.70 inc delvivery from a very good seller:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-Sony-Premiu...QQcmdZViewItem

Freelancer · 02-03-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkE19

Perhaps that would explain why only Sony miniDV tapes are available with the chip then

i wish it that were the case with my new Sony handycam, but alas it's not. I also wish i had noticed the earlier postings warning of buying the memory chipped dv tapes at hugely inflated prices. I overlooked this, and bought a load..

RSMORRIS · 02-03-2006, 7:11 AM

fcat,

The Sony tapes I'm talking about are from Amazon not Amazon marketplace, look again at the website on the right hand column under 'more buying options', they are there for £16.45.

fcat · 02-03-2006, 12:45 PM

sorry about that, my mistake, looks a good deal!