[seaweed5254]

my first time to post, so apologies if this has been asked already.

Based on the recommendations on this site, I've decided to get the panasonic GS330. Withe regards to the DV tapes, would it matter whether i buy them here in the UK or abroad (PAL vs NTSC). Are these not region-locked? SO, if i get the DV tapes and did recordings here, would i be able just to plug the camcorder and play it on to a TV with an NTSC system? and same the other way around?

Thanks in advance.

[senu]

Originally Posted by seaweed5254

my first time to post, so apologies if this has been asked already.

Based on the recommendations on this site, I've decided to get the panasonic GS330. Withe regards to the DV tapes, would it matter whether i buy them here in the UK or abroad (PAL vs NTSC). Are these not region-locked

The tapes are simply tapes AFAIK , not region specific.
It is the content that marks them for region. A bit like blank DVD discs.. until you record onto them
The only advice with tapes is to stick to one brand as much as possible

SO, if i get the DV tapes and did recordings here, would i be able just to plug the camcorder and play it on to a TV with an NTSC system? and same the other way around

This has nothing to do with the tapes , more to do with the TV as to whether it would accept a signal from another standard or not
Many UK TV sets are able to take and playback an NTSC signal from a DVD player, not all of those would do so from a Camcorder though
It would be very rare to have North American ( NTSC) standard TV to playback a PAL sourced footage from both camcorder or DVD unless specifically stated
For Hidef this is less of an issue
Also for PC playback it doesnt matter either

[seaweed5254]

Thanks for your quick reply.

What brand would you recommend, tho ?

[felix2]

I think many of us on here keep stocked up with packs of 10 "Sony Premium" mini DV tapes from Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Pack-mi...5761274&sr=8-1

around £13-£14 (be careful if you buy from Amazon marketplace sellers instead of Amazon themselves that you've included the postage charge in your calculation - got my last lot from S&S electronics on there for £13.50 inc. postage & next day delivery though when Amazon was out of stock)

Otherwise Panasonic or TDK tapes seem to serve well. But as senu said, it's best to stick with one brand once you've started (the difference in wet/dry chemicals on the tape surface can cause problems with the tape heads getting clogged, in theory - and probably occasionally in practice!)

[seaweed5254]

Thanks a lot ! Cheers !