Posted by PTravel on 04/25/06 14:37

"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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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. 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. The selection process is tighter and the AMQ has no
> consumer equivalent that I'm aware of. Overall they are tapes with
> lower dropout and more resistant to external signal interruptions from
> dust, humidity and other environmental factors. They are designed for
> use in professional equipment.
>
> 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.

Sony EX is Sony's top-of-the-line miniDV tape. I get it for $7, quantity 5.

>
> cb
>

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