sony hdv tapes/regular minidv

[sonne]

I want to buy a dry mini dv tape cleaner to use in my hv20 so I can use cheaper videotapes instead of sonys HDV tapes (expensive), but am afraid of damaging the heads during either cleaning/or using a new tape afterward, since I have been using the HD tapes for almost a year and half. Is it worth even trying to switch back one more time? Or should I just pay extra for the hdv tapes? I'm terrified of inadvertantly killing my $1100 camcorder.

[dmfreeman]

It is a total waste of money to buy more expensive tapes thinking you will get better performance from them. The less costly miniDV tapes from Sony or Panasonic will work just fine with your camcorder. Use a dry head cleaner every 25 tapes, and you should have no problems with wearing out your camcorder.

Denny

[Krane]

It is a total waste of money to buy more expensive tapes thinking you will get better performance from them. The less costly miniDV tapes from Sony or Panasonic will work just fine with your camcorder. Use a dry head cleaner every 25 tapes, and you should have no problems with wearing out your camcorder.

Denny

That debate is nearly as old as video tape itself. To date, I haven't found one actual side-by-side test comparison that would make either statement true. Nevertheless, the consensious seems to support your claims.

Still, for very important footage (and long term storage), I would invest in the "better quality" tapes.