Looking for mini DV tapes

[John Rofrano]

I would start with Tapeonline.com who is a COW sponsor (you’ll see their add at the side of the forums). They appear to have Maxell – DV-M63Master 63 Minute Mini DV Tape in stock.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Ralph Hajik]

Hi John

Thanks for the advice.
I know what your thinking, “I need to upgrade” and your right on.

Thanks good buddy.
Ralph 🙂

[John Rofrano]

I know what your thinking, “I need to upgrade” and your right on.

Actually, I use miniDV tapes every day for my Sony HDV cameras. I buy Sony tapes from B&H Photo here in NY. I don’t like tapeless because there is no good backup solution. I have tapes that are over 20 years old and still play. I highly doubt a hard drive left on a shelf for 20 years will power up! (if you can find a computer to put it in because the connections are probably all changed) 😉

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Scott Francis]

Hey Guys,

I would recommend B&H as well, I also get my tapes from there!
I would like to pass on a recommendation from a camera repair shop. I had to get my Sony FX1 repaired about 2 years ago, they recommended (as you stated) that you pick a name brand and stay with it…they only ones they DO NOT recommend is Maxell. They stated that for Sony cams, they are to dry (not having enough lubricant) for these machines and since I had to have the transport replaced in a relatively low number of hours on my FX1 I listened to them. I switched to JVC and Panasonic tapes and have had NO trouble since with 4 other camcorders as well. If you DO switch, just be sure to clean the tape heads and you should be fine. Again I am just passing this along, they did not recommend any tape to me, just NOT to use the Maxell, so I trusted them. A $700 repair for a year and a half old camera and needing to ship it is CA (I am in PA) made me pay attention. I also capture everything to laptops now and use tape as a backup, so I do not need to recapture and put more hours on the tape heads. Again just thought I would pass that along, good luck!!!

Scott Francis
Mind’s Eye Audio/Video Productions

[Ralph Hajik]

Hi Scott,

I already checked out B&H. I’m trying to find someone locally if I can considering I have a few days to play with before I leave for my shoot. I have used Maxell for at least 5 years with no problems and the price I paid for them, I believe I’m money ahead of the game. Scott, you brought up a very good point about staying with a good name brand tape as long as you have cleaned your heads. I need to invest in a hard drive system to record onto and I know there’s plenty out there. Any recommendations from anyone on a hard drive to hook up to a camcorder? I need to break away from the tape scene. It’s like trying to teach an old dog new tricks, it’s hard until you dive in and realize it’s actually better.

Thanks and Happy Travels
Ralph Hajik 🙂

[Roger Bansemer]

I’ve been told that it is not good to switch between brands of tapes because the coating is different and mixing any residual of that coating on the head of the camera may be bad. Don’t know if that’s just Sony trying to get brand loyalty but something to consider.

[John Rofrano]

Don’t know if that’s just Sony trying to get brand loyalty but something to consider.

There may be a little of that going. I have heard not to switch between tapes that use dry lubrication and those that use wet lubrication. This is said to gum up your heads. They say it’s safe to switch between brands that use the same lubrication.

Here is a white paper from Sony Broadcast on the topic that says the results are inconclusive:

hdvtapelube.pdf

So it all seems to be more “urban myth”.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Paul Huggins]

I sell Sony Mini DV Tapes and have plenty in stock if you still need some top quality tapes. I have ONLY used Sony tapes in my Video Productions. Paul Huggins Shelby Camera Video & Production, Shelby, NC 704-487-9057

[Ralph Hajik]

Hi Paul,

I just picked up 2 boxes, 5 in each box for my shoot in Spain.I’ll keep your information for future use. Let me tell you a little story on what happened today. I went to Best Buy and found a 6 pack of Sony DV mini cassettes for $33. I got on my cell phone and called Calumet Photographic that’s close to my home and they wanted a little over $17 for a total of 6 Sony indivdual DV mini cassettes. The more you buy over 4 you get a quantity discount. So I asked the sales assistant at Best Buy if they can price match. He stated it has to be exactly what we have on the rack. The Sony tapes are the same, but was packaged differently and Best Buy would not match the price. I told the salesman to have a nice day and I’ll take my business else where. At least I got my tapes for the shoot. Now I have to clean my heads really good because I’m going from Maxell to Sony tapes.
John, thanks for that information on head clogging. I have learned so much by coming to the Cow, sharing and getting information from all of you videographers and editors. Keep up the great work and thanks again.

Happy Travels
Ralph Hajik 🙂

[John Rofrano]

Ralph, You’re very welcome. Good luck on your shoot.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com