Blank media for FX1

dominicwitherow · 9th January 2007, 21:12

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 · 9th January 2007, 22:57

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 · 9th January 2007, 23:14

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 · 10th January 2007, 08:51

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 · 10th January 2007, 09:00

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 · 10th January 2007, 09:10

Thanks Alan, most helpful.

Dominic

garethw · 10th January 2007, 10:16

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 · 10th January 2007, 10:37

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

got it on email from CKE distribution

dominicwitherow · 10th January 2007, 18:32

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 · 10th January 2007, 18:37

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.

9th January 2007, 21:12	#1
dominicwitherow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chobham, UK Posts: 580	Blank media for FX1 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

10th January 2007, 08:51	#4
PP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Preston Lancashire England Posts: 439	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. __________________ Peter

10th January 2007, 09:00	#5
Alan Roberts Moderate Moderator Join Date: May 1999 Location: Mugswell, Surrey, UK Posts: 11,986	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/ __________________ Alan Roberts, happily retired from Auntie Beeb Get my test cards document, and cards for 625, 525, 720 and 1080. Thanks to Gavin Gration for hosting them. My BBC-owned camera settings documents are held at BBC R&D, also mirrored by BPR (under construction, click on NEWS) and Daniel browning. Documents for BBC-approved HD cameras are at BBC Commissioning. My book, 'Circles of Confusion' is available here or directly from me.

10th January 2007, 18:37	#10
Unicorn Senior Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,164	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. __________________ P4-3.06/2GB RAM/2500GB IDE/SATA. Avid Media Composer, Liquid Edition, Premiere 6, Lightwave, Vue 6, eyeon Fusion 5. DV and HDV editing/compositing.

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9th January 2007, 22:57	#2
fuddam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK - Frimley, Surrey Posts: 1,848	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.

9th January 2007, 23:14	#3
dominicwitherow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chobham, UK Posts: 580	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

10th January 2007, 09:10	#6
dominicwitherow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chobham, UK Posts: 580	Thanks Alan, most helpful. Dominic

10th January 2007, 10:16	#7
garethw Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: france Posts: 77	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

10th January 2007, 10:37	#8
fuddam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK - Frimley, Surrey Posts: 1,848	seen that new 100GB unit for 500 quid? Sweeeet stuff. got it on email from CKE distribution

10th January 2007, 18:32	#9
dominicwitherow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chobham, UK Posts: 580	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