Tape to buy?

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Maxell_DV-63_PRO_Master.aspx

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Sony_HDM63VG.aspx

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Sony_DVM63HD.aspx

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Panasonic_DVM63AMQ.aspx

Which of those four are better or are there better ones within a decent budget, not more than $10/tape I'm guessing that there are more expensive ones out there...

Now isn't the info recorded digital? So since digital is just 1's and 0's does it really matter that much, besides the fact of the tape material not lasting?

Oh yea I'll be using an HV30 from Canon.

Sorry for just asking a question as my first post.

But thanks for the help :)

Now isn't the info recorded digital? So since digital is just 1's and 0's does it really matter that much, besides the fact of the tape material not lasting?

That's about it.

Good luck.

Dennis

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Maxell_DV-63_PRO_Master.aspx

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Sony_HDM63VG.aspx

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Sony_DVM63HD.aspx

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Panasonic_DVM63AMQ.aspx

Which of those four are better or are there better ones within a decent budget, not more than $10/tape I'm guessing that there are more expensive ones out there...

Now isn't the info recorded digital? So since digital is just 1's and 0's does it really matter that much, besides the fact of the tape material not lasting?

Oh yea I'll be using an HV30 from Canon.

Sorry for just asking a question as my first post.

But thanks for the help :)

I've always used TDK tapes for all of my camcorders so far and I didn't have a single problem. I am buying 10 pack of TDK regular MiniDV tapes from costo for $25. You don't need to use tapes that are labeled as HD or HDV. Regular tapes will do the job. Just try sticking to one brand and avoid switching between them. Because of the different lubricants they use, it may harm the tape head.

Oh, and if you run across them, you probably don't need any of the tapes with the chip in them.

FWIW, I use these tapes (http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Panasonic_DVM63PQ.aspx) exclusively.

Good luck.

Dennis

Tape rules:

Don't waste your money on HDV tapes. There is no difference in picture quality between these and regular MiniDV tapes -- it's all digital. Sony Premiums are fine and can be had from the sponsor at the top of this page for a little over $2 each.

When I first started shooting DV I used the TDKs available at Costco for about $2.50 each. I used a couple of hundred without a dropout or any other problem. Later I switched to the Sony Premiums because even with shipping they were cheaper. I’m on my fourth case of 100 and have had maybe three dropouts total in two years.

Don't mix tape brands. Sony uses a different lubricant than others and switching could gum up your heads. Run a cleaning tape for 10 seconds and then pick one brand and stick to it.

Never re-use your tapes. They should go through your camera exactly twice: once when you shoot and once when you capture.

Try this:

http://www.tapeonline.com/MiniDV/Sony_DVM60PRL.aspx

I'm surprised by this. It really doesn't matter if you use a regular MiniDV tape instead of an HDTape when you're shooting HD?

I'm surprised by this. It really doesn't matter if you use a regular MiniDV tape instead of an HDTape when you're shooting HD?

The only difference is HD or HDV labeled tapes have a lower error ratio which means lower drop outs compared to regular MiniDV tapes. As far as quality is concerned, it won't make a difference.