Customer Reviews

Sony 63-minutes HD DVC Tape

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As of this review the product information page here is quite bare, so here's additional information about this tape from sonystyle.com:

Sony's new DVM-63HD HD DVC tape offers the highest quality recording media for the consumer or prosumer making the step-up to an HD camcorder. It is the recommended media for Sony's new HDR-FX1 prosumer camcorder. Independent film makers, advertising agencies, and other videographers will appreciate the improved image quality, and the professional 63 minute tape duration. The DVM-63HD features 90% fewer errors and 50% fewer dropouts compared to DV Reference tape (tested on standard Sony DV VCR). Get the good stuff... go for High Definition.

* High Definition Video Recording
* Designed for 1080i or 720p HDV recording and playback.
* 63 minutes recording time of 1080i video
* 3dB higher carrier-to-noise ratio vs. Premium DVC tape *
* Conforms to the MiniDV standard, yet is manufactured with much higher tolerances while incorporating the new AME II technology.
* Key Benefits:
* 90% fewer errors due to 40% increase in carrier-to-noise ratio*
* 50% fewer dropouts*
* 50% less tape shrinkage*
* 3db higher carrier-to-noise ratio*
* The additional 3-minutes on the DVM63HD tape is for test recording. This helps the user calibrate the camera for best results. You can record the full 63 minutes of 1080i video. When recording in 720p HDV or in DV mode, you can record 94 min in LP and 63 min in SP setting.
* New lubricant improves tape stability running under a wide range of operating conditions.
* * vs. Reference DV tape (industry standard) tested on standard Sony DV VCR

Yes, you can use ordinary mini-DV tapes in this camcorder but there are two good reasons for paying more:
1. The video encoding format of hdv cameras (MPEG2-HD) can have problems recording fast motion. This leads to "drop-outs" but you can reduce these by using better tapes.
2. Different tapes have different lubricants. If you use different tapes in your camcorder, you can end up jamming your tape transport. Decide on one product that best suits your needs and stick with it. This tape has a special lubricant so it's probably not a good idea to mix 'n match it even with other Sony tapes.

Sony recommends this tape for the new HDR-HC1 High Def. video camera. I just bought the camera and a dozon of theese tapes. So far I have no problems at all and the video image is the best I've ever seen from a mini-dv. (too bad my video photography was not improved by these tapes). I have read other reviews that state that any Mini-dv tape can be used for high Def. but why take the chance?

Before I begin, let me say that I have had engineers tell me that there is very little different from this product than from Sony mini DVCam tapes. It is slightly more stable which is very important when dealing with HDv as the distortion of one frame could destroy a second of footage.

This is due to how HDv encodes footage. Whereas miniDV records each frame at the same resolution, HDv uses a Group of Pictures (GoP). Basically the first frame in a GoP is full resolution, then every other frame in the GoP uses that as its reference, and changes resolution as needed.

All that to say, I only buy these tapes for professional purposes; and mainly for my clients. It's more of a piece of mind thing for them then it is for me. I would not recommend buying these for personal memories, as it would be overkill. They just cost too much for personal use. Use other Sony tapes. But do use Sony tapes; they have less gunk than most others (except Panasonic, which I hear are pretty clean).

Came quickly, rattling around in outer box, but no damage. Seems to be price collusion in US on this product, however, as everyone has virtually the same price in the US, yet the very same thing is under 50% of the US cost in the UK!

I'm using these tapes with my Sony HDR-HC5 1080i High-Definition Camcorder. These tapes are recommended by Sony for my camera as well as all of their Hi-Def models.

So far I can tell a little improvement over standard Mini-DV - however with a high-definition camera you're getting a beautiful picture REGARDLESS. It's a personal decision on whether or not the picture quality increase is worth the higher prices for these tapes.

I do a lot of night shot work in the paranormal investigation field so the better quality is worth it. We need our pictures to be as clear as possible to try to rule out all "normal" possibilities.

Finally, I want my masters to be the best quality possible. I love these tapes and would recommend them. A- from me (only due to the price being so high compared to standard Mini-DV).

Here are a few product links to show you my setup which you may find useful.
Sony HDR-HC5 4MP MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
Sony HVL-HIRL IR NightShot and Video Light for DCR-DVD305, 405, 505, HDR-HC1, HC3, HC5, DCR-SR100, SR-200, HDR-UX1 & UX5 Camcorders
Sony ECMHST1 Stereo Microphone for DCR-HC96, DCR-DVD305, 405, 505, DCR-SR80, 100, HDR-HC3, HC5 & HDR-UX5 CamcordersSony LCSVA30 Soft Camcorder Carrying Case for DVD & MiniDV Camcorders

If you compare the HD minDV vs the non HD minDV on a true HD TV using a HDMI cable I think you'll notice a slight improvement in image sharpness and color. Can't tell the difference if you just use analog cables. Of course it could just be wishful thinking since I paid more for it.

These tapes come out of a bulk package. The company resales them and makes a profit. They arrive through your mailbox so the company also makes out on postage as well. I will be buying my tapes at [...] for now on. Amazon has let me down make than once recently. I have boughten over three thousand in products for my film project, Fourever Young which is by Black Hart Films, but half of what I purchased was not what it said it was or lose like this.

This is a very good tape, and my preferred model.

However, they are ridiculously, and unnecessarily, expensive. As a result, I will only buy them on sale. Any brand of DV tape will work, even if you are recording in High Definition.

The only significant difference between these and less expensive tapes is the additional price.

It probably does have great specs compared to the Sony lower priced tape, but I don't see the value either. The retail is pricey and when on sale, it's still not cheap.

If you're afraid of using the cheaper Sony stock (cuz you get what you pay for) you might want to look into Panasonic's high end HDV... it's usually half the Sony price for stock with top specs.