On Fri, 27 Sep 2002 14:12:05 GMT, Gary Eickmeier wrote:
>Barry Comer wrote:

>> I have a JVC DVL9800u and had to have the heads replaced
>> because of brand mixing. The tech. said that sticking to a
>> single brand would have avoided. I was mixing the Sony
>> and JVC brands. I have since switched to the Sony brand
>> and use only them. It is best to buy tapes a box at a time
>> to avoid running out.

>I am using only Sony tapes myself, just to be sure, but isn't your
>statement a little hard to determine? It would take a long study with
>a lot of cameras and tapes to conclude something about mixing brands
>and tape head failure.
>
>Well, my friend is using multiple brands in his identical camera, so
>we will see....

There has been a LOT of reporting of problems with
tape brand mixing over the years, though those who
regularly mix (and truly mix them - most brands are
made by only a couple of manufacturers, confusing
this issue...) appear to be OK, ***IF*** they avoid
using the high-end Panasonic with the blue door on
a white case... I have experienced the problem (as
have some who subsequently needed head replacement,
most likely after using one brand for quite a while,
then switching...). Best advice, without more
definitive information, appears to be:
--> CHOOSE ANY GOOD BRAND OF TAPE, AND STAY WITH IT
**ALWAYS**, WITH **NO** EXCEPTIONS <-- (this appears
to insure the greatest freedom from dropouts/
head-clogs, and this includes NOT playing tape in
your gear that has been in other gear with unknown
history).