[MacDV] Mini DV tape brands

[Gregg Gorrie]

on 3/5/05 6:22 AM, Kim at kphillips3 at rochester.rr.com wrote:

> I have been using Panasonic consumer mini DV tapes with no problems for
> several years. I am needing to buy some more tapes and have been doing
> some price shopping. The local BJs has Fuji tapes. To get cheaper than
> the BJ price I need to buy 20 or more Panasonic tapes online. I would
> rather not buy 20 tapes at once. Does any one have an opinion on the
> quality of the Fuji vs Panasonic consumer tapes?
> 
> Thanks,
> Eric

I've been using Fuji tapes with my Sony Digital 8 camcorder for a few years
now ... no problems at all (would imagine the tape formulation is the same
on the Mini DVs). One thing to mention - and I'm sure you'll get lots of
postings on this - is that some people recommend <not> switching between
brands of tape, as it purportedly can cause problems with the heads on your
machine (the reaction to mixing different tape formulations).

I have flaunted this rule however, using mostly Fuji tapes, but also have
several Sonys, TDKs, and Maxells in the mix, and so far I've had no problems
(knock on wood) with well over 100 hours on the camcorder. But it is
something to consider.
 
-- 
Gregg