pyke 0 #1 July 22, 2003 quade (or anyone really), a follow up question.... what tapes do you use when filming?? I have tried playing around with just a generic Fujifilm 60/90min tape that I picked up to fill with some junk while I learned about the camera....and it talks about not being able to use titles and such unless you're using a cassette with "CM" cassette memory in it. Those things cost like $20 each! Is that what is used when filming tandems and all that so you can put names and graphics on the tape....or is that done in "post-production"??? Probably a really stupid question to you all, but I haven't been around too many video flyers in the past - and I guess I will start hanging around them now!! Thanks in advance! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 July 22, 2003 Ok, call me a snob if you want to, but I ONLY use the Sony Excellence tapes. These tapes do not suffer as many drop outs as other tapes and don't seem to clog the tape head quite as often. There was a time very early on when I used the tapes with the IC chip in them, but as time went on and my camera flying became more frequent I realized that it was more hassle and far more money than it was worth. Further, the 4k chip doesn't really have enough memory in it to title every jump if you have more than about 15 jumps on the tape, so, what good is that?quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #3 July 22, 2003 Thanks quade....and thanks for doing your magic to make this it's own thread. I thought it was a connected thought, but I see how this way it will get more traffic. [edited to add:] Also, Sony Excellence tapes, huh?! I didn't realize there was much of a difference, but are there any other flyers who use otherwise - and why?? I am still on my first tape - so I could easily be persuaded to use something better, but other viewpoints are encouraged!! Thanks!! Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newshooter12 0 #4 July 23, 2003 pyke - I'd look at what quade said this way...You've just dropped a good chunk of change on a camera that, presumably, you want to last a while. Electronic equipment can be pretty sensitive to all sorts of things, like: moisture, dirt, dust, and being dropped. ALL TAPES will break down over time and leave crap on your camera's tape heads, eventually clogging them or wearing them to the point that they need to be replaced. The tapes that Q talked about don't wear out and shed as much of their magnetic coating as quickly as some cheaper brands. that'd be enough reasoning for me , but just in case here's what I've learned from some techs that repair cameras and tape decks at work: Heads are really expensive, Sony parts are even more expensive, many consumer electronics including Mini-DV cams are small and hard to work on/repair and that makes repairs more expensive or not worth the bench time when the $$ adds up. If you take care of your gear and feed it good, clean tapes you're less likely to have head clogs and other problems. The extra couple #s per tape will more then pay for itself if you don't have to get the camera repaired or heads replaced, or worse replace the camera b/c its too expensive to fix after a lot of wear and tear. Just my $.02, hope it helps. matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #5 July 23, 2003 Pyke, the price difference between tape types becomes quite insignificant when you buy them in batches of 10 or more at a time. I buy mine mail order and pay about £2.20 each, Sonys cost about £2.50, chipped sonys about £6.50 There was a problem a few years back with head clogging, this transpired to be caused by tape binder from different manufacturers being incompatible with each other. Specifically Sony, and everyone else's tapes. Long story so I won't bore you with it here, suffice to say its not that big a deal these days. Its still best to pick one tape manufacturer and stick to them. I use Panasonic 'DVM' tapes, as I have had no problems with drop outs or clogging, and I had a legacy batch anyway. Other people swear they have had drop out problems with Panasonic, but not I. I put pretty heavy wear on my minidv deck editing, but have no clogging / dropout issues, maybe I'm just lucky. I don't use 'chipped' tapes as all my titling is 'post production'. Happy snapping.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
