Are MiniHDV tapes really better than MiniDV for HD?

Question

My HD camcorder uses MiniDV tapes. I'm wondering why MiniDV tapes made for "HDV" are so much more expensive? They appear to be the same thing, and my camcorder can record HD on cheaper, regular MiniDV tapes. So why are they so much more expensive? Are the more expensive ones necessary?

Answer 1

the data rate for HDV is EXACTLY the same as standard miniDV, which is why they use the same tape.  Supposedly manufacturers have made incremental improvements in metal evaporate tape formulations over the years, so an HDV certified tape guarantees you are buying the latest item, where as generic miniDV tapes could have been on the vendor shelves for a few years.

Sony DVcam uses the same tape, but moves the tape faster so that a 1 hour miniDV is 40 minutes in DVcam format. Panasonic DVCpro and DVCpro50 is an entirely different tape. They use metal particle so that they can have an analog linear audio track for cuing purposes.

metal oxide went out with VHS.

Answer 2

The metal oxide formulation is different - denser on the special "HD" tapes. I've been shooting high def video for several years and use the cheap Sony Premium tapes for my normal jobs. The HD tapes are not required - unless you're a pro. For important jobs, I use the HD tapes... but honestly, I can't see any difference.