Editing DV (video format) (section)

== Tape formulation compatibility ==
There was considerable controversy solely based on hearsay over whether or not using tapes from different manufacturers could lead to dropouts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zenera.com/dvtape.html#mix_brands |title=DV Tape FAQ |website=Zenera.com }}</ref> Initially this was suggested around the conception of mostly MiniDV tapes in the mid to late 90s as the only two manufacturers of MiniDV tapes (Sony, who produce their tapes solely under the Sony brand; and Panasonic, who produce their own tapes under their Panasonic brand and outsources for TDK, Canon, etc.) used two different lubrication types for their cameras.

A research undertaken by Sony claimed that there was no hard evidence of the above statement. The only evidence claimed was that using ME tapes in equipment designed for MP tapes can cause tape damage and hence dropouts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/files/mkt/recmedia/solutions/hdvtapelube.pdf |title=The Truth about Tape Lubricant }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|reason=Primary source: 'Research' undertaken by the manufacturer causing the problem|date=June 2011}} Sony has done a significant amount of internal testing to simulate head clogs as a result of mixing tape lubricants, and has been unable to recreate the problem.{{dubious|date=October 2013}} Sony recommends using cleaning cassettes once every 50 hours of recording or playback. For those who are still skeptical, Sony recommends cleaning video heads with a cleaning cassette before trying another brand of tape.

In 1999, Steve Epstein, technical editor of ''Broadcast Engineering'' magazine, received the following response from a Sony representative regarding tape stock compatibility:

<blockquote>''Sony developed DVCAM based on the DV consumer format. The DV format was designed for use with metal evaporated tape, which offers approximately 5&nbsp;dB better carrier-to-noise figures than metal particle tape. Customers have requested VTRs that can play additional DV-based 6&nbsp;mm formats such as the consumer DV LP and DVCPRO. Sony will be offering new VTRs that can play back both of these additional formats without headclog and tape path issues.''

''It was realized early on that the VTR transport needed to be optimized to play various tape formulations and thicknesses. In addition, there is no need to dub DV LP or DVCPRO footage to another format for use as source material. This new VTR is the DSR 2000 DVCAM Studio recorder, and it is expected to be available later this year.''

Robert Ott, Vice President for storage products and marketing, Sony Electronics, Park Ridge, New Jersey<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Broadcast-Engineering/BE/90s/BE-1999-04.pdf |title=Broadcast Engineering: Tape Trouble |page=66 |date=1999 }}</ref></blockquote>