Blank media for FX1

[dominicwitherow]

Boring, but necessary question - can anyone advise me as to where I can get reasonably priced, high-quality HDV tapes on the web? As I have not bought tapes online before, I'd be most grateful for recommendations.

I will be filming short corporate videos, consisting of talking heads and 'action' shots of the organisations at work.

Thanks in advance.

Dominic

[fuddam]

why not just use regular miniDV tapes? Most everyone I know does, and there hasn't been any fuss made about dropouts. I've never had dropouts on the Z1's I've used.

[dominicwitherow]

I have done to date, but as I move into doing serious professional videos (clients to date have all been low-key and not paid much, but I have just been picked up by a major company), I am concerned that something [I]could[I] go wrong.

As my clients will be paying well I would like to make sure they get the best possible fom me. I'll be recharging costs, but I still want to keep those costs as low as is reasonable.

I intend to use normal tapes for most of my filming, but the best tapes for high-end clients.

Thanks for the advice though - I know where you're coming from.:)

Dominic

[PP]

We're back to the "sticky" (excuse the pun) problem of changing tape manufacturers. There's been a lot of debate, the result of which I think is "use one brand and stick (this is where the pun comes in!) with it.

[Alan Roberts]

My usual source for tapes is APRMedia in Taunton. Their stock levels seem high and service has always been quick enough for me. http://www.aprvideo.co.uk/

[dominicwitherow]

Thanks Alan, most helpful.

Dominic

[garethw]

Hi Dominic

Not sure any tape solution would give you the 100% non drop out security you require...

How about a Firestore type device, or even the new Sony unit... may be worth the expense to ensure you don't ruin an important shoot. Check out the info on this US site.http://dvestore.com/theatre/index.html#

That said, I've always used Sony Premiums in both FX1 and Z1 cameras, never had an serious issues with dropouts...


Cheers
Gareth

[fuddam]

seen that new 100GB unit for 500 quid? Sweeeet stuff.

got it on email from CKE distribution

[dominicwitherow]

Everyone seems confident that dropping frames is not an issue with the Z1/FX1, so I'll probably not bother with the most expensive tapes. I'd love to get a Firestore disk, but they seem to be a bit of an expensive luxury at the moment.

Thanks everyone. If you do have further recommendations for buying tapes (any sony miniDV), please let me know.

Dominic

[Unicorn]

It is an issue, it's just rare: I've put 20-30 tapes (Sony and Panasonic miniDV and a few Sony HDV) through my Z1 with no dropouts so far. You could buy the HDV tapes, which are about seven quid each these days from online stores; if you're doing professional work odds are you can afford that much.

[Alan Roberts]

If I were shooting HDV professionally, I'd never even consider using standard DV tapes, the risks are too high. I use HDV tapes even for holidays (they're expensive and one-off, that holidays not the tapes) because I don't want lost scenes. I don't think the problem's highly significant, but the extra cost is trivial compared with the loss of a shot.

[dominicwitherow]

I've found them (HDV Master tapes) at Creativevideo.co.uk for under £11. Has anyone used this site before? It looks like they have some very good prices on a massive range of good equipment.

Dominic

[Medidox]

I've always found Carousel to give excellent service and beat most of the others for price on the web. Try this link for size. http://www.carousel.uk.com/

The mini HDV retail is £6.84 including VAT and the master HDV is £10.32.

They tell me its the same tape, just the packaging that's different.

[Rob James]

In my experience, Creative are very helpful and knowledgable.

[dominicwitherow]

Thanks Rob. I'll give them a whirl and I'll look at Carousel too.

Dominic

[BrianReed]

I've always found Carousel to give excellent service and beat most of the others for price on the web. Try this link for size. http://www.carousel.uk.com/

The mini HDV retail is £6.84 including VAT and the master HDV is £10.32.

They tell me its the same tape, just the packaging that's different.

That's interesting, Medidox. I take it the info that the DVM-63DM Digital Master and DVM-63HD both have the same tape came from Carousel. The Digital Master certainly has a fancier case, but the description on APRmedia.com site also says that it's the only tape "with not one, but two magnetic layers". Same site doesn't say that the DVM-63DM tape has two layers, but does say that it's the recommended tape for Sony's FX1 camcorder, so presumably this would also apply to my new Sony A1 (which was supplied with a Digital Master tape).

As I don't want to risk drop-outs in HDV recordings I think that I'll steer clear of Pansonic MiniDV dry lubricated tapes that I've used up to now in my 2 Sony VX2100 without problems. But I'm now totally confused about what HDV tape to use - I guess that both the above use the same wet lubricants so there should be no problem in swapping from one to the other (the DVM-63HD being about 2/3rds of the cost of the DM).

Unless anyone knows better ?????

[Medidox]

Well Brian I have to admit I was skeptical myself when they said it and I pressed them on the very point that you're making. but I thought I'd give it a try and so far (40 tapes later) no problems at all.

[BrianReed]

Well Brian I have to admit I was skeptical myself when they said it and I pressed them on the very point that you're making. but I thought I'd give it a try and so far (40 tapes later) no problems at all.

Thanks for the response. That's good enough for me. I'll order some of the HD version.

[bushe]

hello,

I have a (or it's about to be delivered...I hope...) Sony HC7e. I ordered some sony dvm63HD (from tapesuk.co.uk, arrived next day) but from this I understand I can simply use the Sony MiniDV tapes I already have?

My use is purely amateur, and I don't overwrite tapes, keep them as archive of a sort. I think maybe the HDV tapes are overkill. I'll probably use them on my upcoming trip home to visit my ageing parents though.

[Dave R Smith]

Hi BB.
Different tape brands have different coatings.
Once a tape brand has been found that is reliable, it's best to stick to it.
Switching brands - which may have different coatings, can lead to glitches.
So,
type A used all the time - OK.
type B used all the time - OK.
Switch from type A to type.. may give problems..and may leave deposits on heads:eek:
I acknowledge you choice is Sony versus Sony, but I think you are inviting un-necessary risk. Swap/sell/give away the other tapes.

[ClaireTall]

£7.89 at Stanleys for HDV.

http://www.stanleysonline.co.uk/product-3731.htm

If the clients is going to get to see them you don't want give him a tape he filmed the kids on last weekend.