Is changing tape brands only unadvisable on Canon cameras (something about messing up the heads?) or is it generally not a good idea on any camera at all.

I recently bought a panasonic camera 2nd hand and the guy before gave me his part used tapes which were panasonic, so should I stick with panasonic or would it be alright to change to a more common tape brand?

Sorry for the dumbass question I'm new

This question really hasn't come up as much as it should.

If you have the tapes and those are the same tapes being run through the camera before, I'd say use'em. Panasonics aren't bad tapes, depending on which ones you have. But then log and capture what you have on them before you switch to another brand.

Here's the deal. Different tape manufacturers use different types of lubricants on their tapes. When you start mixing brands, the different lubricants combine and clog the tape head. Sony is the worst because they use a 'wet' lubricant (or they used to). So, when you buy your new tapes, also buy a head cleaner and use it. Then, when you shoot your first new brand tape, make sure it's not something once in a lifetime (so shoot a practice tape). If you have 50+ bucks, you can get great mass quantity tape deals online.

Other things I can recommend to reduce tape problems, if I may, is to always fluff the tapes first (fast-forward to the end of the tape and then rewind), always use SP (not LP), and every 15ish hours of head use (record or play), clean the heads. ...ohh, and NEVER EVER reuse a tape more than once.

joren

I'm glad this topic has come up. I was looking up what the best tape would be for the DVX100 and one filmmaker suggested only using the PQ or MQ tapes from Panasonic. I went and looked those up and found them here.

http://www.elicr.com/prodoverview.asp?prodID=187&showtype=ShowBrand]MQ Tapes

PQ Tapes


The MQ's sound nice, but is this overkill? Maybe I should just get the Panasonic tapes they sell at Wal-Mart? Any suggestions/comments would be much appreciated =)

I've shot dozens of PQ tapes. They're okay, but I've experienced dropouts. The MQs claim to be master quality. for 50 cents a tape more (so 25 bucks more in minimum quantities of 50), I'd think it's worth it.

You won't find tapes a wally world cheaper than 4.50 a pop–especially in quality tapes.

my 2 cents (minimum of 50) worth
joren

Why fastforward and rewind a tape? To stretch it out?

Why not record over a miniDV tape? I've always been told the quality remains the same it's like rewrite to a floppy, just 1s and 0s... I've used Maxell all my videomaking life... are they not good? I've never thought about tape qualities that much - I didn't think it was like film grade or anything. I figure it's all digital.

And you're saying that if I wanted to switch from Maxell to Panasonic that it wouldn't hurt my camera/head or the quality of my pictures? All I should do is clean the head first then record a test run?

That sounds easy enough.

- C. Davis
President, Alabama Film Club
Owner, Yellow Hammer Films

I only use Panasonic 83-minute MQ tapes. I consider them to be the best.

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I've had very good luck with Panasonic's AV-DVME63PQ. I buy them here at $3.95 each:

http://store.yahoo.com/protape/new.html

I've shot over 27 tapes for my documentary without any problems (knock on wood!).

As for changing tapes - when first bought my GL1, I didn't know about staying with the same brand and had to send the cam back to CANON for service (less than one year after purchase). However, after using only one brand, I've had no problems yet!

As for using a head cleaner - I've heard/read good and bad about that. Some people only use them as a last resort (or not at all), as they consider them very abrasive to the heads. So, I don't have enough info to have an opinion.

Good luck.

Mark M
Sugar Free Productions

I've heard people say that you should only use the brand of tape that matches your camera's brand. This isn't true at all. The important thing is to always use the same brand of tape. Decide which brand you'll use when you get your camera, and stick with that.

I have a Sony camera, and I decided when I got it that I would only use Panasonic MQ tapes. So that's what I'm doing.

_________________________

you fluff the tapes to pre-stretch them so they don't stretch while you're recording.

If you re-rerecord a tape, the chances for dropouts increases (IMO substantially). Plus, you're loosing the footage you already shot. Tapes are cheap, stock up and generally don't reuse tapes. I guess it's a pet peve of mine because I lost some footage because someone was trying to cut corners by reusing tapes.

yes, tape head cleaner tapes are abrasive, but if you run one for ten seconds every 15 or 20 hours of head use, it shouldn't be a problem--it's better than shooting a few tapes and realizing the heads were dirty. I wouldn't run one for a minute strait because you can't figure out why the video looks bad. one or two tape head cleaner tapes should last you the life of the camera (never rewind and reuse them).

And, generally, it is best not to switch tape brands, but if it happens, it happens. Life will go on and your camera won't turn to dust. Just try to minimize switching tape brands. If there's a one-in-a-lifetime shot in front of me, I'm using whatever tape brand I can get my hands on to shoot with.

Weird, I use a Canon zr45 and used Sony tapes for a while Id say at least 12 hours. Cleaned the tape, used sony then some panasonic mixed in, and another brand I cant recall and have shot about another 14 hours no problem. So I havent noticed any dirty tape heads so far.

yeah, that's not surprising, Darkfire. Like I said, you're camera doesn't self-destruct when you change tape brands. It's just good practice not to change brands and to clean your head ever so often. If you do start having problems with your tapes (hopefully you don't loose anything important), you'll know what to do.

Joren, I just wanted to comment on how impressed I am with your knowledge. Knowing about the lubricant/tape switch problem is one of those things that very few people know. It is something that I just learned last year at NAB. I think i will pay more attention to what you have to say in the future!

Thanks

"This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time"

*blushes*
awe, it's nothing. Just don't forget me when you're big-time

I think this board is great because there are so many people with a variety of experiences. It's a excellent resource to all.

Yeah excellent responses, thanks joren & others.

I have one final question though: does the lubricant used vary between different types of tapes from the same brand, or just between brands?

Oh and also, what is IC memory? Thanks.

quote:

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Originally posted by Bnew:
Oh and also, what is IC memory?

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IC memory allows you to save little stuff like titles and recording end points. It has no bearing on image quality etc. I wouldn't bother buying IC tapes unless you're constantly checking tapes during production and are bad about rolling slug before removing tapes/switching to VTR mode. Then again, I've never bothered trying one so maybe I shouldn't knock it.

Nota "IC said the blind man to the deaf lady" Mono