|
|
Posted by Mr. Tapeguy on 04/27/06 08:07
Steve King wrote:
> "Mr. Tapeguy" <mr.tapeguy@pro-tape.com> wrote in message
> news:1145972439.545255.195290@v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > Steve King wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> And I'd sure like to know what you mean by "better" referring to
> >> Panasonic
> >> vs. Sony tape. It may be, but without explanation your statement is
> >> meaningless.
> >>
> >> Steve King
> >
> > Unlike Sony, Panasonic makes a line of professional DV tape. This
> > product comes from the Broadcast and Professional Division. Sony is
> > consumer tape unless you buy DVCAM.
> >
> > Tape quality is generally differentiated in two ways, other than by the
> > assumption that a professional product is a better one.
>
> I work very closely with several manufacturing corporations. Each has
> product lines that are designated as both consumer and professional. The
> products are identical in every respect but packaging. There are three
> things that are different: the packaging, the marketing descriptions, and
> the level of customer service extended. Knowing this makes me skeptical of
> the 'professional' designation without more information.
That may be the case in some instances. It isn't here unless they are
flat-out lying and unless you work at the Panasonic factory, we'll
never know.
> > Tapes may be, even in the same brand, a different formulation as in the
> > case between the 63PQ and MQ. In the case of one vs. the other, one
> > formulation will presumably have lower dropout and perform better in
> > other areas.
>
> It is this "presumably" issue that bothers me. Without data, it is
> market-speak.
I misspoke. I have seen the specs and they are different. Maybe I can
dig them up for you.
> > Another way tape may be differentiated is by the selection process as
> > in the PR vs. the EX. Tape is made in large sheets which are then
> > slit to the appropriate width prior to spooling it and loading it into
> > the cassettes. The product in the middle is generally more consistent
> > and specs out better. It is usually used for the higher grade product
> > and the rest which still meets minimum specs is used for the lower
> > grade. In the case where a consumer and professional product are the
> > same formulation, the same rule applies. The differentiation is made
> > by the selection.
>
> I know that this was true for audio tape.
>
> > It is very difficult to get specs on consumer product so we largely
> > have to rely on experience rather than just taking it for granted that
> > a pro tape is better. We do get specs on those.
>
> What kind of specs? I'm not being argumentative. I'd like to know.
Again, if I can dig them up I'll let you know. I don't keep those
around the way I used to when we got sheets on everything.
> > THe Panasonic
> > Professional, Master and Advanced Master tapes are held to a stricter
> > qc process, housed in a higher grade shell and have a smoother running
> > mechanism.
>
> At least this can be determined pragmatically.
>
> >The selection process is tighter and the AMQ has no
> > consumer equivalent that I'm aware of.
>
> How is it tighter? And, who told you that?
Market-speak. You either believe them or you don't. And then you try
the product and it either performs or it doesn't. I have no specs on
the AMQ as of yet.
>
> Overall they are tapes with
> > lower dropout and more resistant to external signal interruptions from
> > dust, humidity and other environmental factors.
>
> I'd like to see data comparing the frequency of dropout occurence in
> different tape formulations. Know of any that has been published? I'd also
> like to see some data that proves that one tape is more resistant to signal
> interruptions from "dust, humidity, and ???other??? environmental factors."
> That sounds like the BS people pay me to write for them.
Maybe so, but tapes with higher coercivity and retentivity simply are
more resilient.
> They are designed for
> > use in professional equipment.
>
> And, how are the design criteria different for professional equipment?
For all the reasons I've mentioned...professional gear and professional
use in general is more demanding. That's why 80EJ's were initially not
recommended for pro gear.
> > As it happens, they are also comparably priced if not cheaper than
> > their Sony "equivalents" in the consumer line and Panasonic consumer
> > product is quite a bit less.
> >
> > This is not to say that Sony makes "bad" tapes - I don't think any one
> > does. But if you want a really superior Sony tape you're looking in
> > the $10 and up range.
> >
>
> Overall, I fear that you are more willing to accept the marketing speak of
> manufacturers than I am. Also, my own experience coupled with the
> experience of those I work with in post production facilities and other
> production companies don't give any credence to the superiority of any of
> these tapes, either by line designation or by manufacturer. Admittedly, I
> draw my conclusions from anecdotal information, but lacking anything else,
> what can one do?
>
> We are fortunate that ones and zeros seem to be much more tolerant of tape
> anomalies than analogue signals.
Not really. The equipment has better error correction. Dropouts are
worse when they get past the point of the ability of the equipment to
compensate.
>
> By the way, are you in the business of selling tape? And, what brands do
> you carry?
>
We sell tape as well as gear and software Adobe, Apple, Avid, Canon,
Digidesign....etc.
http://www.pro-tape.com
Best prices anywhere - guaranteed. Thanks for the opportunity to give
a shameless plug!
cb
Navigation:
[Reply to this message]
|