tapes

I was wondering what are some quality tapes to record on. They have so many choices: Silver, Gold, Hi-Fi- which ones are the best? I know that faster speeds turn out better recordings, but do brand names really differ? Also, are longer tapes (T-180 as opposed to T-120) of lesser quality? Thanks.

Actually, the 'slower' the speed, the better the quality. For example, on a T-120, recording in SP would allow for only two hours of recording. The quality is therefore better because each "frame" is allowed to take up more space on the tape, instead of being crammed together like in EP (a.k.a. SLP). to my knowledge, the length of tape in a videocassette has no bearing on the quality. There's just more (or less) tape inside.

Crawfish wrote:

I don't know a lot about the tape technology and would welcome any of our experts out there to jump in.

Don't you mean 'the faster the speed the better the quality'? Also I thought the 'longer tapes' like the T160's were longer because the tape was thinner so they could get more on a reel. Hence there can be a problem with the tape stretching after a lot of play and rewinding.

Crawfish wrote:

Mike wrote:

so

I had the same impression. I know it's true of audio tapes and I would think the same would apply to video! Also, a few years back I had a terrible time with 160's (SONY) that I tried for the first time. Two out of three broke on rewind. Dont know if that was the machine (did not do it to 120's) or the tapes. Now using a new machine and have gone back to using some 160s and have had luck with them. But I am not doing a lot of replaying so can't comment on that aspect. I mostly use 160s for days when I have too much to tape or big events like tennis or skate events or Olympics where 8 hours are needed, saving 6's for anything I may want to save. I think I was told by an avid taper that he had the best luck with sony. But I'm not even sure of that. I think TDK is also good (but I cant recall where I heard these recommended). Hope there is an expert out there somewhere to tell us. Cynth

. I mostly use 160s for days when I have too much to tape or big events

I don't get it. What do these tape numbers refer to? Here in the UK, we have mostly 180s (3 hours) and 240s (4 hours). How can a 160 run for 8 hours, surely on LP it would be 5hrs20min?

goatboy wrote:

In the US, tapes can run on three speeds: SP, LP, and SLP (or EP). When people say 120 or 160, they're referring to the number of minutes in SP mode. When they say 6 hour or 8 hour, they're referring to the length of time in SLP mode. A 160 tape is called that because that's how many minutes it will run in SP mode. In SLP, the same tape will run for eight hours.

goatboy wrote:

Humour - ON In Canada we have gone metric so nobody knows what any numbers mean anymore. We just buy stuff and figure it will work. Humour - OFF

For quality, SLOWER taping is best (actually it is more accurately described as 'real time') for both audio and video taping.

That doesn't make sense because SP mode is known for producing better quality than LP and SLP, and the tape in SP mode goes much faster than the latter.

Same goes for audio. I've recorded stuff on a four-track and the faster the tape moves during recording, the better the audio has sounded. Unfortunately, you go through tapes faster that way.

In SP mode a T120 tape will get you 2 hours of playback time, in LP mode you'll get 4 hours of playback time and in SLP you'll get 6 hours of playback time. If one gets as much information on a smaller amount of tape it stands to reason the taping is faster (by being more compressed, like the other poster stated), even though no matter what mode is used the taping will stop after like a 1/2 show. SP is considered higher quality (you can tell cause it costs more to do due to more tape being used). I used to record on several different reel-to-reels (literally, everyone and their brother had them) and we all preferred 'slow' tapings, especially for classical taping (as opposed to rock and roll). The only other thing I can suggest is to not get hung up on the speed the tape is moving, what most people are refering to is how fast the information is being recorded. Hope this helps and no one wants to kill me (g).

Donna C.

Steve wrote in message news:[email]...

Exactly. Why else would you have two or three recording speeds anyway. If SLP (8 hours on T160's) was the one with the better image quality there would hardly be a reason to use the SP mode (3 hours) with its slower search/cue/f-forward mode and less room to record. SLP is for convenience and maximum storage. As for those with HI FI vcr's the recording speed does not affect the sound quality.

Mo

Well, we all agree that SP (standard playback) is better quality than LP (long playback) or SLP (super long playback). My brother (a studio technician) has been cramming this stuff down my throat for the past 35 years. I personally tape in SLP always, unless I'm taping for him, then it's 'anything to shut him up'.

Donna C.

Beats me. I usually use whatever the drug store has on sale.

You might want to ask these questions in a videophilic newsgroup.
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