Topic: miniDV and digital 8 tapes - Where are the good deals these days?

[SparkE!]

I haven't been shopping for tapes in ages.  Who's got the good deals now?  What's the longest tapes available?  I'm used to seeing 80 minute miniDV tapes (60's are the most common), but I don't know about the length of digital 8 tapes at all.  I'm trying to get ready for a night of audio and video recording that's coming up in about 2 weeks and I haven't been doing my homework yet.  I'll be running one miniDV and one digital 8 camera.  There will also be at least one other miniDV there and I'm trying to figure out what I need in the way of tape to make sure it gets covered well.  Any tips for timing of tape swaps so that there's always at least one camera running?

[wilsonedits]

we always just have one cam switch 5 minutes before the end.....

best deal I found was these guys  www.taperesources.com 

[guitard]

Like Wilson said ~ just stagger the tape start times.  Get one rolling a few minutes before you think the show's going to start (it'll probably roll for at least five minutes before the show actually does start), and get the second one rolling right as the show starts.

The 80 minute tapes are really nice (and run for 120 minutes in LP mode), but you pay a lot more for the extra 40 minutes as the tapes themselves are considerably more expensive than the 60 minute tapes.  Of course, if you really need the additional tape and it saves you a tape switch, it might be worth the extra expense.  However, a lot of times, you end up not needing it - so the additional money spent is pretty much wasted.  If you have a really good idea how long the band is going to play, then you can make an informed decision - otherwise - I'd stick with 60 minute tapes and save money.

[kcmoejoe]

Whatcha got in the works?

[SparkE!]

Whatcha got in the works?

Hey Joe!  Weary Boys @ The Bottleneck on Jan 17 (that's a Wednesday) and I'm hoping you can be there too.  Sam's planning to be there.  If you need some samples:

http://www.wearyboys.com/bootlegs.html

I've also got a recording that I did in Lincoln, NE at The Zoo Bar if you're interested.

These guys are way better than most of the stuff coming out of Nashville these days, yet they are just plain folks.  No rock star attitudes.  And they are genuinely good people too.

[guitard]

Forgot to answer your question about where the good deals are...

Ebay.  I bought 20 Sony 8mm digital tapes there.  I can't remember the exact price, but it was way below what you'd pay retail.

[firmdragon]

costco

[Elvis Hitler]

Sam's Club has 8 packs of Maxell mini DV tapes (made in Japan) for just under $20.   That's about $2.50 per tape before sales tax.   Pretty sure they have digital 8mm too but I don't recall the price.

As for the tape switches, you might have one camera in LP mode while the other records in SP, so you're changing tapes at different times.   Another option is to switch tapes on the first camera after a song ends and while there are still several minutes left on the tape; the other camera you let roll until the tape runs out and then switch.

[wilsonedits]

also if you have a nice camera at all.. that you care about pic a brand and stick with it.... different tapes do different things on the heads of your camera...and sticking with on will eliminate alot of dropout problems as well as be better on your heads and make them last longer....

[firmdragon]

also if you have a nice camera at all.. that you care about pic a brand and stick with it.... different tapes do different things on the heads of your camera...and sticking with on will eliminate alot of dropout problems as well as be better on your heads and make them last longer....

yeah this is pretty good advice. you can read me about this issue here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DV#Mixing_tapes_from_different_manufacturers
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t111891.html

generally i just avoid sony branded tapes.  most brands are dry anyways.

[guitard]

I bought a mini-DV tape re-winder for $8.  It runs on batteries, so it's very convenient.  I figure using it instead of the cam for rewinding will add at least a few months of life to my cam - maybe several months.