Some say Fuji but not all miniDV tapes are the same. They should be, but they aren't. Sorry! Some brands/types are good, others will dirty your heads, stretch etc. But the big no no is the "mixing" of different brands/types of tape. For instance, say you have been using Panasonic miniDV tapes, then you pop in a Maxell or Sony. Then you throw in a TDK, and so on. Each tape has a lubricant which rubs off onto the cam's heads, and when you mix tapes, these lubricants may interact causing your heads to gum up. The typical result is drop-outs; and if the heads are very dirty, you'll see diagonal, mosaic-like bars in your viewing screen.

The quick solution is to run a miniDV head cleaning cassette in your cam. This should be done for about 5 seconds only. If this doesn't resolve the problem, then pop it back in and record for another 5 seconds. If that doesn't do the trick, take your cam in for servicing. The heads will have to be realigned or perhaps replaced. Your warranty will cover the costs (except for shipping). The majority of problems with new cams (such as screwed-up heads) usually occur during the first few weeks of ownership (within the warranty period).

The best solution to clean your heads is to bring your cam in for servicing (or using a head cleaning kit). Using the cleaning cassette is abrasive---like putting sandpaper to your heads. It should only be done as a quick fix in the field. So, use the cleaning tape cautiously and sparingly. Once this issue is resolved, stick to one brand and type only. And pick a good one, like Fuji ME or Panasonic (Fuji makes tape for Panasonic). For the mini DVCAM format, use only Fuji mini DVCAM or Sony mini DVCAM tape.

In conclusion, a couple of years back I came across an extensive, scientific test done with all current brands of miniDV tape. Guess what, Fuji came out on top. Knowing this, that's the brand I use, and I've never had dirty heads since! The problem using cheap tape and the interaction of their lubricants also extends to miniDV decks, and yes, VCRs as well. Again, I highly recommend what the dubbing houses use: Fuji Pro and Fuji Master VHS tapes.

Here is a great read

Last update: 01:54 PM Sunday, May 7, 2006