Need some advice on MiniDV media brands

[TRJ]

I have just got my new Sony PC8E camcorder
well .. i forgot to buy some medias
but what media should i choose
i will only choose on brand and stick with that one.

Can you help me

Jensen, Norway,

[Duster]

I would recommend the Fuji brand

[TRJ]

Thank you, Duster

[m@rk]

It doesn't matter.

There is only one factory that makes Mini DV tapes on the planet at the moment. Therefore regardless of the badge (Fuji, Panasonic etc) they are all the same.

This information was given to me by Panasonic.

[TRJ]

Went to my local store, they got some new Fuji - 5 Color mix cassettes , anyone know these ?



Model number on tape:
MDV60
B QK16

On package :
DVM60x5AMIXME E

Is this the same tape as the old ones (just with new colors)
http://www.fuji-magnetics.de/produkt...rod_gruppe=DVC

[MarkE19]

Originally posted by Networkguy
It doesn't matter.

There is only one factory that makes Mini DV tapes on the planet at the moment. Therefore regardless of the badge (Fuji, Panasonic etc) they are all the same.

This information was given to me by Panasonic.

I think this is basically true, but with the exception of Sony.
I was told that if you use Sony tapes, then you must always use them as they have a different coating that (like all tapes) rubs off onto the heads of the camcorder. If you get a mixture of different coatings then this will cause problems. As I got 5 Sony DV tapes with my camcorder and at the time DV tapes were around £15 each I have always used Sony.

Mark.

[m@rk]

Originally posted by MarkE19
I think this is basically true, but with the exception of Sony.
I was told that if you use Sony tapes,

I did actually ask a Sony rep this question and although he didn't openly admit that they buy them from the same company that everybody else do, he didn't deny it either.

Of course there are different grades of DV tape with all the brands so it may be that Sony only resell the higher grade versions.

But at the end of the day, I get through a lot of tapes and when you know thay are all the same, and don't get hung up on a brand, the price drops to below £2.30 each (and £2.50 if you really MUST have Sony ones) so is worth keeping in mind. You will of course pay more for the tapes with a chip on but the same applies.

[Duster]

Hi
The ones I Use are FUJI DVC DVM60[ME], not coloured.
I'm sure that your ones, are the right ones...

Check out this link to tell you about tapes...
http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

Originally posted by TRJ
[B]Went to my local store, they got some new Fuji - 5 Color mix cassettes , anyone know these ?



Model number on tape:
MDV60
B QK16

On package :
DVM60x5AMIXME E

Is this the same tape as the old ones (just with new colors)

[Orbitalzone]

I read some articles about mixing tapes.... basically Panasonic have about 70% of the market share, Sony has 20% and TDK has 5%... However many other brands use Panasonic tapes and rebadge them... (Canon and JVC for example)

There is an idea that mixing different brands may be bad for video recorders / camcorders because the lubricants used differ from one make to another, possibly causing problems.

Article Here

I know that when my company used to service video recorders, we could usually tell who mixed video tape brands and who stuck with one or two brands.... tape deposits (fine black dust) were more evident on machines where many various brands were used. Scotch tapes used to shed a lot of material for some reason.

Anyhow..I'd stick to one brand of DV tapes seeing as the little video head drum works so hard.....no point making matters worse.