Cheap miniDV tapes

[solq4]

Where can I buy cheap mini dv tapes??
Thanks

[slacker]

Costco!

TDKs
8 pak for $19.95

[harley2ride]

Just make sure that you use the same brand all the time. I've read some posts that using different brands can damage your camera over time due to different oxides having reactions...

[stantheman1976]

Just make sure that you use the same brand all the time. I've read some posts that using different brands can damage your camera over time due to different oxides having reactions...

I've heard this too, but then I also heard that this was only a concern 4-5 years ago and manufacturing methods have been standardized now. So who knows for sure? I do stick with the same brand, but I doubt that using a different brand tape once in a while is going to hurt anything.

[slacker]

The reason you stick with the same brand is simply because the manufacturers employ different lubricants which if comingled can "mucky up" your camcorder. Sony employs "wet" lubricants, and Panasonic employs "dry" lubricants in their higher end line.

The pros say...

If you can stick with the same tape, go for it. However, if you have to change brands for whatever reason, just make sure that you clean the heads just prior to changing brands. That will suffice!

[davideck]

However, if you have to change brands for whatever reason, just make sure that you clean the heads just prior to changing brands. That will suffice!

Not always.
I switched from JVC to Panasonic tape and started getting "Heads Need Cleaning" errors. Multiple passes with a cleaning tape did not solve the problem until I went back to JVC tape. And I haven't had to use the cleaning tape since...

[slacker]

Davideck,

It sounds like you cleaned the heads AFTER you switched brands, not BEFORE you switched brands. NOT good enough!

Panasonic PQs and MQs are some of the best tapes available per every hands on review I've read. They use a dry lube!

[davideck]

Davideck,

It sounds like you cleaned the heads AFTER you switched brands, not BEFORE you switched brands.

Yes, that's true. I assumed that multiple cleaning passes would remove the residue from both.
I did not mean to suggest that Panasonic tape is bad. Perhaps my JVC Camcorder has a problem with Panasonic tape.

[lenti_75]

i've been swiching between tapes and no problem, for the last 2 yrs, and don't know how many brands.

I doubt that is a problem, maybe the camcorder is the problem, the tape is thinner or thiker and the mechanism has problems pulling it.

[slacker]

Davideck,

It just seems as if the two lubricants intermingled and "muckied up" your camcorder. I don't think you would have a problem with Panasonic tapes if you started off with a pristine camcorder.

BTW, from what I understand...

Panasonic makes 75% of all miniDV tapes
Sony makes 20%, and
TDK makes 5%

Everyone else (JVC, Maxell, Fuji etc.) buys their stock from Panasonic and puts their name on the label.

lenti_75,

It could be that the brands you've been switching to are in reality the exact same tapes you've been coming from, i.e. Panasonic makes Maxell, etc., etc.