Regular VHS Tapes In JVC HM-DH30000U?
Dear Gary: I just purchased a JVC HM-DH30000U VCR and have been confronted with the relatively high cost of the D-VHS tapes. I noticed that the way the recorder distinguishes between D-VHS and regular VHS tapes is three extra little holes on the bottom of the cassette. Being curious, I took the cheapest VHS tape I could find, removed the bottom, drilled the two biggest missing holes, cleaned it off, and then replaced the bottom. Low and behold, it was recognized as a D-VHS tape by the recorder, and it has recorded fine so far without any dropouts. However, I have recorded only a couple of hours in this mode to date, because of concerns that there might be long-term problems. My biggest question is whether doing this could cause long-term harm to my recorder. Since the recorder can handle VHS as well as D-VHS tapes, I assume there should be no problems with the transport mechanism. However, your magazine has implied that the magnetic coating of the D-VHS tapes is different than on regular VHS tapes. I have to wonder if the recorder uses a different set of heads for D-VHS tapes as opposed to VHS tapes, and whether or not the coating on regular VHS tapes could gradually damage any D-VHS tapes. From my work on computer tapes, higher densities usually require a higher coercivity coating, which in turn actually requires a more durable head. Thus I would be inclined to believe that using regular VHS tapes might actually cause less wear on any D-VHS heads than D-VHS tapes would. Are you aware of any problems using regular VHS tapes this way? Is it simply a matter that D-VHS tapes will last longer and be more reliable than regular VHS tapes? Or are the VHS tape manufacturers just selling us overspec’d tapes at a premium price?
Milton Scritsmier, Boulder, Colorado
mailto:Milton_Scritsmier@alumni.hmc.edu
Editor-In-Chief Gary Reber Comments:
Certainly, there are no problems when using conventional VHS tapes on the machine itself. Now, regarding drilling holes (which will certainly leave powders somewhere on the tape) and using cheap VHS tape for HD recordings, I know that JVC does not recommend it for the simple reason that D-VHS tapes have been developed for D-VHS recordings. Thus, if there is no difference, why would JVC recommend a different tape with a different coating for HD recording? I don’t think that JVC is in the business of gouging its customers by selling a tape that is no different in performance than an ordinary VHS tape. According to JVC, the coercivity, as well as a number of other factors, certainly make D-VHS tapes the best combo for digital recordings. JVC does not want to be blamed for block noise and other problems, which may result from HD recordings made on a tape formulation which the company doesn’t recommend. At the same time, prices of D-VHS tapes will surely come down with increased sales. I would caution not using a tape other than that which is specified for HD recordings.
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