Great deals on Minidv Dvc
Find Deals at Ebay Auctions for Minidv Dvc
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 Lot 7 SONY DVC Mini DV 60 min PREMIUM Blank Digital Video Cassettes NEW SEALED  US $15.99
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 12 TDK DVC Digital Video Tape 60 Min MiniDV Cassette NEW US $23.00
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 Sony DVC mini DV tapes US $19.99
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 Sony Mini DV Cassettes DVC Premium Series 3 Pack US $.99
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 10 Mini DV tapes TDK DVC 60 for use in MiniDV or HDV video cameras US $29.95
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 10X Panasonic Mini DV MiniDV 60 90 minutes DVC tapes US $30.99
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 Sony 5 Pack HD DVC MINIDV 63 Min Video 5DEVM63HD US $10.50
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 Panasonic DVC Mini DV 60 Minute Cassettes 5 pack NIB US $9.75
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 50 SONY PREMIUM MINI DV DVM60PR DVC PR MINIDV TAPES NEW US $112.00
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 Brand New Premium Sony DVC miniDV digital video cassette LOT 3 US $9.99
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 5 NEW and SEALED Panasonic DVC MiniDV Linear Plus NEW US $.99
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 Panasonic Mini DV DVC Video Cassette Tape US $.01
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 5 Panasonic AY DVM60EJ 60 minute DVC Mini DV Tapes New US $11.86
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 TDK DVC MiniDV Camcorder Tapes 10 Pack NEW US $26.93
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 10 Tapes Sony DVC 60 60 Minute Mini DV Recording Tape US $27.95
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 Panasonic Mini DV MiniDV 60 90 min minutes DVC Tape x5 US $15.59
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 10 Sony Mini DV MiniDV 60 90 min minutes DVC tapes au US $35.24
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 FUJIFILM DVC 60 MINI DV VIDEO CASSETTES TAPES 3 PACK US $9.99
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What are good standard brands for miniDv tapes?
I learned you can record in HD with regular miniDv tapes, but there are a lot of brands out there like Panasonic and Sony and more.
How much does each cost.
And what exactly is a dropout rate when it comes to tapes?
What does DVC mean (it says on the cover)?
I have an HV40.
What miniDv tape do you use and how long have you been using it? How often do you use it to record in HD?
In what circumstance would you want to record in standard definition?
I use Maxell and Verbatim tapes. I have had fall offs from both after recording 5 times or more on these tapes. So I have 70 or more tapes around here. I have a bias against Sony for that rootkit they put in my computer and destroyed my 2 DVD drives, then refused to pony up for there destructive practices, So I can say nothing about Sony
Find Products at Amazon.com for Minidv Dvc
Sony DVC60PRL Mini DV Tape 60min Premium Data Cartridge 10 Packs
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Maxell Mechanical VHS-C Adapter
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Panasonic AY-DVM60EJ5P MiniDV Tapes (60 Minute, Pack of 5)
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Panasonic AJ-CS455 Mini-DV / DVCAM Compatible Cassette Playback Adaptor for Select DVCPRO VTRs
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Panasonic DVM60 Mini DV Digital Video Cassette Linear Plus (SP 60/ LP 90)
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"Butterflies" 'Omens' DJ-Hybrid
Current models of HDV cameras accept only the small size Mini-DV or DVCAM tapes. In theory, any Mini-DV tape will record HDV, but in practice tapes should be selected with care, as you'll see. Your choice of media for HDV recording should involve much more than seeing who has the cheapest Mini-DV tapes.
One of the downsides to HDV recording is that the MPEG-2 compression increases the negative effects of tape dropout and errors. If a tape dropout occurs while shooting DV, only a single frame is usually affected whereas with HDV, the dropout lasts for an entire group of 15 frames (GOP), which is about half a second. So a dropout on an HDV recording is serious, it will be clearly seen.
To counteract this and to try and prevent dropouts occurring in the first place, key tape manufacturers have worked hard to develop new formulations that are manufactured to far more stringent standards.
Sony has developed a new tape formula for their Mini-DV and DVCAM tapes. Known as the Digital Master series, these tapes use two layers of active magnetic material and other enhancements to dramatically reduce the likelihood of dropouts occurring. According to Sony statistics, these tapes result in 95% fewer errors and 60% less dropouts compared to standard Mini-DV tapes.
Note that in the new range, Sony produce two Mini-DV tapes for HDV usage. One is the DVM63HD (in the consumer range), the other is DVM63DM (in the professional range). The only difference between these two tapes is that the DM version has a larger, more sturdy plastic case, similar to those that house DVCAM tapes. The physical tapes inside are identical. However, since the DVM63HD tapes are usually cheaper, you can save yourself some money by buying those (unless the larger plastic hard case is essential to you).
Sony are not the only ones to have produced higher quality tapes designed for HDV. Panasonic have devised a new range referred to as 'AMQ'. As with the Sony Digital Master tapes, AMQ tapes have vastly improved magnetic density to reduce errors and dropouts.
Likewise, TDK recently entered the HDV media realm, with their HD DVC Media. The formulation features a dual-layer metal evaporation and diamond-like carbon technology. TDK claim that this helps to ensure lower error rates and fewer dropouts than their standard Mini-DV tapes. The tapes appear to be available in two formats-the HDV ProGrade Master which comes in a standard plastic case, and the HDV ProMaster which is packaged in a larger, more durable case.
Many people ask whether it's worth spending the extra $8-12 on these specialist tapes. The answer to that is simple--it depends on how important your footage is. If you can live with the possibility of a half second dropout here and there then there is no reason why you should not use standard Mini-DV tapes. On the other hand, if you only have one chance at capturing your footage in any given situation, then the extra amount is a small price to play for peace of mind and less hassle in the edit.
Surely if you've paid around $4,000 upwards for an HDV camera, you want to get the best out of it?
To be fair, tape dropouts are not something that can be predicted. It's possible to shoot with standard Mini-DV tapes for many months without experiencing a single dropout. On the other hand, it's also quite possible that you could be plagued with numerous dropouts on your first recording. Again, it all depends on the importance of what you are shooting, so make your judgement on choice of tape stock accordingly.
One thing you should definitely avoid is re-using tapes that you have already recorded onto. With HDV that is asking for trouble. These days tape stock is so cheap in the grand scheme of things that it's false economy to reuse tapes, and that applies to any camcorder.
Andrew Lock is a video producer, consultant and trainer with more than 12 years experience. He has fulfilled video marketing projects for high profile corporate clients such as Sony, Disney, BritishAirways, Merrill Lynch, Royal Caribbean Cruises & others.
Lock is a noted advisor within the video production and film industry, and his articles and books are highly regarded as some of the most insightful and practical.
As a Brit who now resides in the U.S., he’s been dubbed by his peers as the ‘Simon Cowell’ of the video industry - his frank, honest and direct approach is a breath of fresh air to those that seek honest answers.
Lock's new book, 'How to Shoot, Edit & Distribute HDV' is available at a special price direct from the publisher at: http://www.hdvbook.com
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