Magnetic Filaments ruin camera?

[Jeff Mason]

I have a coworker who's convinced that once you buy any brand of mini-DV tapes, you can only use that one brand for the remainder of the equipment's life. For example if I start off with Sony, I can never switch to another brand. He believes there are magnetic filaments in the mini-DV tapes and by crossing brands you ruin the equipment because of these filaments. Is there any validation to this?

[sammie]

Never heard that one before? In fact, I'm having trouble imagining what the heck it could even be.

All I can say is I have updated my video camera about every 4-5 years since the first shoulder held VHS monsters. I dug out my old Cannon, one of the very first mini-DV jobs just the other day to let the kids play with it. I've never worried about what tape, other than buying decent quality stuff. Having had to endure several hours of "Kid Vid Antics Hour", I would say the picture quality was still amazingly good and this is after the camera had been stuck up in attic for years with no maintenence. I wouldn't mind being enlightened, but I obviously wouldn't be terribly worried about having bought a few different brands of of tapes over the life of a camera.

[davideck]

Jeff Mason -

I don't know about magnetic filaments, but I have read that the chemical deposits left on the guides and heads from one brand of tape can react unfavorably with the chemical deposits left from another brand of tape. Sticking to one brand is therefore recommended.

[sammie]

@ davideck but that would impact old analog type cameras far more than digital. Plus, a good quality cleaning system or even just learning how to do it right with good cleaners and the appropriate swabs as far as I have ever read and experienced works just fine. And, as I mentioned, use decent quality tapes. They are supposed to (and again I believe from my expereince) leave far less residue behind and require less frequent cleanings.

I'm guessing this is some rumor, theory, fact implying changes to the metal of the heads themselves. I've never heard anything about that.

[davideck]

@ davideck but that would impact old analog type cameras far more than digital. Plus, a good quality cleaning system or even just learning how to do it right with good cleaners and the appropriate swabs as far as I have ever read and experienced works just fine. And, as I mentioned, use decent quality tapes. They are supposed to (and again I believe from my expereince) leave far less residue behind and require less frequent cleanings.

I'm guessing this is some rumor, theory, fact implying changes to the metal of the heads themselves. I've never heard anything about that.

If you do a web search , you will find multiple references on this issue with respect to MiniDV tapes; enough to at least be suspicious.

I have not found any references on this issue with respect to older analog tapes.

From my own experience, my MiniDV camera worked fine for several years with JVC tapes until I tried some Panasonic tapes. By the second tape, the camera was displaying a "tape head dirty" message that was not eliminated by using a cleaning cassette multiple times. I tried a third Panasonic tape; same error. I went back to JVC tapes, and all is fine again.

As these cleaning tapes are abrasive, you want to use them as little as possible. So I will do whatever I can do to minimize the need to use one.

I don't know if it is rumor or not, but I will stick to JVC tapes...

[sammie]

I'm not doubting there is something to be said for consistently using the same tapes. The key question I have is the word "ruin" and the bit about magnetic. Gum up, leave residual chemicals (usually metal oxides) require some extra cleaning, etc. of course that's believable, especially if you routinely use top of the line JVCs then suddenly have to use a couple of Circle K mystery brand tapes on vacation. But I'm sure we would have heard a lot more about issues if something as simple as changing tape brands was ruining video cameras. Half a dozen Google searches didn't turn up much of anything except a slightly uneasy feeling that it might not be good for the tapes to switch back and forth in that one form of metal oxide might contaminate a different type on the next tape recorded.

And yes, just about everyone suggests using abrasive cleaning systems as little as possible. What I've usually read suggest an appropriate solvent and swab and a "transport mechanism" or "tape path" leaning tape only when really necessary.

[davideck]

I'm not doubting there is something to be said for consistently using the same tapes. The key question I have is the word "ruin" and the bit about magnetic. Gum up, leave residual chemicals (usually metal oxides) require some extra cleaning, etc. of course that's believable, especially if you routinely use top of the line JVCs then suddenly have to use a couple of Circle K mystery brand tapes on vacation. But I'm sure we would have heard a lot more about issues if something as simple as changing tape brands was ruining video cameras.

Well said sammie. I completely agree.

[BJ_M]

this has been reported enough at many DV sites -- enough to make me believe there is some truth to it ..

[SLK001]

It's complete and utter nonsense.

[BJ_M]

I just checked with my buddies at sony and they do say it is a problem with some tapes ... and is not only a sony issue ..


the same thing can happen on beta sp and 3/4"

[SLK001]

The magnetic material, if it is not bonded to the mylar properly, can flake off and create problems if too many of them fall off (they are electrically conductive). However, the first "used" brand doesn't lock you in to that brand forever. After all, the manufacturer doesn't send a note with the camera saying that "we tested with Sony Hi-Q tape # 21, so you'll have to use this tape forever", do they?

Bad tape is bad tape. The camera doesn't "know" the brands.

[BJ_M]

its the different lubricants that are the problem mostly

[BJ_M]

The magnetic material, if it is not bonded to the mylar properly, can flake off and create problems if too many of them fall off (they are electrically conductive). However, the first "used" brand doesn't lock you in to that brand forever. After all, the manufacturer doesn't send a note with the camera saying that "we tested with Sony Hi-Q tape # 21, so you'll have to use this tape forever", do they?

Bad tape is bad tape. The camera doesn't "know" the brands.

i guess sony doesnt know much about DV cameras then ...