🚀 go-pugleaf

There have been some rumors floating around the newsgroups about the shortage
 of DV tape being a result of massive recalls, particularly Panasonic,  due to
 bad batches.  I have checked with sources at Sony, Panasonic and JVC and have
 found no evidence of this being the case.  However, there are the significant
 problems with bad batches not making it out of the factory.

Evaporated formulations are now being used in all types of magnetic media
 including consumer video (DV and Hi-8), pro video (Hi-8 and DVCAM), audio
 (Sony's DARS-116 for DA-88) and data storage (8mm MAMMOTH cartridges by Sony
 and Exabyte).  Sony's DLC Diamond-Like Carbon coating, in particular, is
 responsible for the improved performance of evaporated tapes and is used in
 several products.  Several factors, however, are interfering with the supply,
 most prominantly:

First,  evaporated tape technology entails a manufacturing process which is
 significantly more elaborate and harder to control than the traditional oxide
 and metal particle formulations.   Sources at Exabyte tell me that as much as
 half of the product made is thrown away.  Hence, not only DV but Mammoth
 cartridges are backordered for months and DVCAM is only sporadically
 available.

Secondly, no one really anticipated how DV would take off.  Demand would likely
 have exceeded supply even if the manufacturing process was less finicky.  In
 an effort to re-direct product lines, Sony has suspended production of it's
 DARS-116 editing tape and E6-HMEAD editing tape until the middle of next year.

Finally, with DVCAM and especially Mammoth cartridges which cost upwards of $80
 in short supply, this no doubt has to be Sony's priority, especially in view
 of OEMmmoth tape drives, what are the alternatives?

The bottom line is ultimately the same.  No DV, no Hi 8 editor, no DARS ME, and
 fight for your right to shoot DVCAM, although the DVCAM supply seems to be
 improving slightly.  Also, for the frustrated DV user, a chipless DVCAM 40
 (equivalent to a DV 60) is slated for December, and while it will be more
 expensive than chipless DV, it should be about the same as the Sony DV with
 the chip, but has about 1/3 less droupout than consumer tape.

Otherwise, there is no forseeable end in sight, but rest assured all divisions
 of Sony Professional Media, not to mention the other manufacturers and the
 various hardware divisions are anxiously awaiting an increase in capacity and
 quality control.  

I have heard Fuji and Maxell have DV overseas -- I'd love to see some.  Good
 luck to all.


========

Craig Berlin aka MR TAPEGUY, Professional Tape / Image * Sound * Data
(800) 950-8653  fax 512-443-4479  AMPEX * APOGEE * BASF * DENON * FUJI * JVC *
 HHB * IOMEGA * LOWELL* MAXELL * SONY * TASCAM * TDK