Sony DVM63HDR 63-Minutes HD DVC Tape

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.

Buy Sony DVM63HDR 63-Minutes HD DVC Tape Now

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?

Read Best Reviews of Sony DVM63HDR 63-Minutes HD DVC Tape Here

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).

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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!

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