Best MiniDV Tapes!

[slacker]

There is a LOT of discussion surrounding DVDs as a media, but very little regarding DV tape. Has anyone any personal experience with DV and DVCAM tape insofar as reliability, portability, re-usability, etc? Any difference between a $5.00 Maxell 60 minute tape and a $9.00 Sony? DVCAM truly better than DV?

[edDV]

There is a LOT of discussion surrounding DVDs as a media, but very little regarding DV tape. Has anyone any personal experience with DV and DVCAM tape insofar as reliability, portability, re-usability, etc? Any difference between a $5.00 Maxell 60 minute tape and a $9.00 Sony? DVCAM truly better than DV?

Pro level MiniDv tapes are built for more rugged use, faster rewind without stretching, etc.

Start here.
http://www.taperesources.com/faq.html
http://www.taperesources.com/dvcam_tapes.html#article5

[holdar]

@slacker, I have no experience with DVCAM tape.

Quick and general.
1. Select one type of tape and stick to it, different tape brands can use different lubricants mixing them can gum up your heads (Sony tech support).
2. If you intend to play the tape in different devices record only in SP mode. Some LP modes don’t travel well. If I am capturing broadcasts or VHS tape I use LP mode. Because the process is digital no bits are lost when using LP as opposed to SP (Sony tech support).
3. Many people (like me) prefer to write timecode over the entire tape before recording anything. This is usually done by recording the tape with the lens cap on, purists say you should use a editor to record a black frame to the entire tape.
4. Some people think the most expensive thing is always the best, this has never been true. Just get a good brand name tape that’s available locally. Paying for shipping can eliminate any savings you thought you were getting.
5. I don’t usually record on a tape more than four times, I have never had any problems. The only reuse problem I had with a tape was when I used my camcorder in still/photo mode. No matter what I did I could not fully erase the tape and record over “the photos”.

[edDV]

@slacker, I have no experience with DVCAM tape.

...
2. If you intend to play the tape in different devices record only in SP mode. Some LP modes don’t travel well. If I am capturing broadcasts or VHS tape I use LP mode. Because the process is digital no bits are lost when using LP as opposed to SP (Sony tech support).

I tend to be very conservative on use of LP mode and don't recommend it for any serious work. LP mode uses thinner tracks (6.7 micron tracks instead of 10 microns for standard DV and 18 microns for DVCAM). Unlike analog, the downside of LP mode is not recording quality, it is ability to track during playback at all. Digital playback is either good or total failure. DV camcorders have error correction for small dropouts but that can't correct tracking errors.

- LP is extremely risky for playback on other equipment
- LP won't play on most pro DVCAM equipment at all.
- LP is at risk of not playing on the same camcorder in the future if the tape path wears or goes slightly out of alignment. SP is much more robust.

The only time I would consider using LP mode is for these cases:
- Event recording where the extra recording time is essential to avoid changing tape and missing action. In that case, I would create a backup on HDD or SP tapes at the first opportunity.
- Media dubs where the goal is DVDR backup. Any long term backup in DV format would be done in SP mode.

3. Many people (like me) prefer to write timecode over the entire tape before recording anything. This is usually done by recording the tape with the lens cap on, purists say you should use a editor to record a black frame to the entire tape.

I always do this to avoid timecode gaps. Proper use of "cue to end" can substitute for striping tape but I still seem find a way to create gaps through user error unless I stripe the tape.

4. Some people think the most expensive thing is always the best, this has never been true. Just get a good brand name tape that’s available locally. Paying for shipping can eliminate any savings you thought you were getting.

Costco and Sams always have good 62 minute MiniDV prices without relying on sales or rebates. DVCAM tapes are very expensive locally and difficult to find.

5. I don’t usually record on a tape more than four times, I have never had any problems. The only reuse problem I had with a tape was when I used my camcorder in still/photo mode. No matter what I did I could not fully erase the tape and record over “the photos”.

I always use new or near new tape for serious event projects, location work, etc. But for general use I reuse tapes until they get >5 yrs old and have had no real problems so far. I use DVCAM tape for work-in-progress project backups even when using DV mode. These tapes get heavy winding.

I use both consumer MiniDV and DVCAM camcorders.

[slacker]

This is an area I am most unfamiliar with and, because of that, I wind up quite probably spending more money than I ought to for the added emotional security of knowing I went with the best, or my version of it, which may, in fact, be totally wrong. I appreciate your time and comments. Thank you sirs!