REVIEW
REVIEW -- TAPE TEST 3
INTRO
We conclude our three-part survey into blank
video tape this month with an in-depth assessment of over thirty high-grade --
allegedly -- VHS and Super VHS tapes
COPY
As we have seen over the last two months
there is not a huge difference between the best and worst camcorder tapes, and
at no point in our investigations did we come across any tape that we would
advise against using, on performance or technical grounds. So far the camcorder
tape market has been spared the problems of the full-size VHS tape industry,
which has been dogged by counterfeit and unlicensed products, and the almost
complete lack of any grading structure. That means an unscrupulous manufacturer
can give their products any grand-sounding title or quasi-technical acronym,
giving the already muddy waters a further stirring.
In an effort to make some sense of this we've
collected together over thirty blank VHS and Super VHS tapes that in one way or
another purport to be better than the standard grade VHS tape we all use for
everyday watch-and-wipe recording. These are the tapes we reccomend you should
use, when making master recordings on full-size VHS camcorders, or for editing
to, from a camcorder, where it is vital to use the best quality tape possible,
to minimise the losses that occur during the copying process. High grade tapes
are also worth considering if you habitually use your VCR to make recordings at
the LP speed, or you have a older stereo machine, some of which can be quite
fussy, when it comes to tape quality. If you have Super VHS VCR or camcordre
you have no choice but to use an S-VHS tape, otherwise the system will not
operate, these specially formulated tapes have ident-holes built into the
cassette shell.
Now, it has to be said that some standard
grade tapes are so good that we would be happy to use them for demanding jobs,
like editing and copying but blank tapes are still so cheap that it's hardly
worth bother of trying to save a pound or two, the extra money spent on higher
grade products is, or should be a guarantee of performance and consistency,
though that may not always be the case...
So what is the difference between a high
grade tape, and a standard grade tape? In fact there are no industry-agreed
specifications but it is generally understood that higher grade tape will have
improved magnetic characteristics -- usually finer and more densely-packed
particles -- which means more signal and less noise; the magnetic coating will
have fewer imperfections and hence a lower dropout count. Higher grade tapes
may also have additional coatings and lubricants, to reduce friction and
improve 'runnability', moreover they should also be closer to, or exceed the
mechanical tolerances laid down in the basic VHS system specificatons. In
theory that adds up to a clearer, more stable picture, with less noise and
interference.
We have used the same set of test routines as
previous years, and in some cases the same equipment as well. The tests are
simple and straightforward and include repetitive test recordings of
electronically-generated patterns, as well as other procedures representive of
the kind of use the tape will receive in the real world. We also consider
things like the quality and alignment of the cassette shell, smoothness and
noise during fast wind, presentation of the packaging and, the bane of our
lives, value for money. As usual we have to say this is based on the
manufacturers suggested or guide price for a 3-hour tape (unless stated
otherwise), which often bears little relationship to the price of blank tapes
in the high-street. All we can say is take this particular rating with a hefty
pinch of salt and regard it purely as the maximum price you should ever expect
to pay, in fact just shop around! Now for this year's batch.
VHS
ACADEMY E-180 SHG £1.99
Purchased from a stall in a South London
car-boot sale, we were highly suspicious of this tape even before we tried it
out as there were deep scratches on the shell, and it was covered in dust from
the cardboard sleeve. To be on the safe side we tested this one last. The
results confirmed our fears, there's no other word for it, it's rubbish, with
unacceptable levels of noise and dropout. If, as the sleeve suggests, it is
manufactured under licence from JVC, JVC should review their licencing
procedures.
Chroma noise: 1
Dropout: 1
Value for money: 0
BASF E-180 PREMIUM HG £3.99
A surprisingly good set of results,
considering the price. Very little dropout and the kind of noise levels that
wouldn't disgrace tapes costing two or three pounds more. We're also impressed
by the sliding record/protect anti-erasure tab, a very neat touch. Well worth
considering.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
BASF E-180 Hi-Fi PRO £4.99
No problems here; low dropout and minimal
noise. A little over the top cosmetically, with the gold-coloured tape flap,
but the sliding record/protect anti-erasure tab and unusual recording chart
(part of the sticky label set) makes up
for this. A good all-rounder but we'd be just as happy with their Premium HG
formulation..
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 7
BASF EXTRA QUALITY E-300 £6.99
The five-hour tape concept hasn't really
caught on, and BASF are still the only manufacturer to market one. We've had
variable results from this extra thin tape, and it seems to favour some
machines more than others. Worth trying if you really need the extra length,
but don't be surprised if the results are not that special.
Chroma noise: 7
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 6
BBC E-180 HIGH DEFINITION £3.49
One of this year's few newcomers. This 'high
definition' tape is made under licence for the BBC in Korea of all places, and
very good it is too. A reliable multi-purpose tape which we would be happy to
use for routine editing and copying .
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 9
FUJI E-180 SUPER HG £3.99
A perennial favourite that keeps on getting
better, with a noticeable reduction in dropout and noise over last year's
samples. They've reduced the price too, which makes this an especially good
deal right now. Reccomended.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
FUJI E-180 SUPER XG PRO £9.39
Zero dropout on our sample and a superbly
clean colours, definitely a candidate for master recording on full size VHS
machines, and critical editing jobs. The hard library case is another plus
point. Well worth the extra for demanding applications. Reccomended.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 10
Value for money: 8
JVC E-180 EHG £3.59
Introduced last year this magnetitie
formulation shows very little noise with average to low dropout. A very
reasonable tape for a very reasonable price from the people who know most about
the VHS system. Reccomended.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 9
KONICA E-180 SUPER XF £3.29
Good results for a such a low cost tape, some
dropoput and noise but not excessive. A good all rounder at a very fair price.
Chroma noise: 7
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 9
KONICA E-180 SUPER HG £4.29
No particular problems with noise but dropout
was a little on the high side, especially for an HG tape that looks as though
it might be sourced by TDK.ough it
might be sourced by TDK Fine for routine watch and wipe applications and
LP recordings but not our first choice for mastering or editing.
Chroma noise: 7
Dropout: 6
Value for money: 6
MAXELL E-180 GX-BLACK £3.49
Very little dropout and negligible noise, in
fact a fine performance all round, and at less than £3.50 a very godd deal too.
Not quite up to master recording but we'd have no qualms about using it for LP
recordings, as well as routine editing and copying.
Chroma noise: 7
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 8
MAXELL E-180 HGX-BLACK £4.34
Last year we were impressed by the very low
noise figures and near zero dropout on this tape. This years results are almost
identical so once again we're happy to say this tape is well worth a try for
editing and other demanding applications.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 9
MEMOREX E-180 SUPER HIGH GRADE £3.49
No change from last year, and the year
before! Still a tad noisy and a few more dropouts than we'd like to see.
Suitable only for routine watch and wipe recordings.
Chroma noise: 7
Dropout: 6
Value for money: 6
PANASONIC E-180 XP £2.99
Chroma noise:
Dropout:
Value for money:
POLAROID E-180 XHQ £3.69
This Korean made tape is Polaroid's first
high-grade VHS tape, and very good it is too. Very clean colours and hardly any
dropout. Well worth considering for editing and copying purposes.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 9
SCOTCH E-180 EXG+ £4.99
A real old timer that just keeps going and
going. No change again from last year with crisp colours and moderate dropout,
not one of the star performers perhaps, but consistent and reliable.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 7
Value for money: 7
SCOTCH E-180 EXG+ PRO CAMERA £5.99
Another classic that's notable for its near
zero dropout, which makes it ideal for camera recording and the kind of editing
jobs where quality is paramount. Good value, considering it comes with a hard
library case.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 9
SONY E-180 V £3.49
We would have dismissed the nasty glitch at
the beginnning of one of our samples as an unfortunate one-off had we not
experienced a similar problem on a Sony tape last year. Otherwise dropout
levels and noise are both average to good.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 8
SONY E-180 UHG £4.99
Highly commended last year, and we see no
reason to change our opinion this time. Very little dropout, and low noise
levels, good enough to be considered for mastering and more than adequate for
editing and copying.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
SONY E-180 PRO-X £7.99
Very clean, exceptionally low levels of noise
produce sharp, vibrant colours, a little jittery at the beginning, though,
which is a recurring characteristic on Sony tapes. No dropout to speak of, once
you've got past the first minute or so. Well worth considering for mastering,
and the hard library case is a bonus.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
TDK E-180 E-HG £3.99
Bright, natural-looking colours with very
little dropout, which is an improvement on last year when we rated it as only
average. Suitable for LP machines, plus routine editing and copying work.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 7
TDK E-180 Hi-Fi £4.99
We discovered a nasty crease two minutes into
one of our samples but apart from that this tape was little changed from last
year, apart from a small increase in price. A good all-round performer,
suitable for high-end applications.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
TDK E-180 HD-X PRO £10.99
In past years this has been a clear winner
when it comes to noise levels, this year's samples were not quite so
impressive, we still wouldn't hesitate to use it as a master tape. Not such
good value as it used to be, even though it comes with a hard library case.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 7
SUPER VHS
BASF SE-180 £6.99
No significant change from last year, apart
from a significant reduction in price .With average to good noise and dropout
results -- a fraction better than previous samples -- this tape now looks like
very good value indeed. Recommended
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 10
FUJI SE-180 PRO £9.99
The performance of this tape has remained
virtually unchanged for the past three years -- it's an above average
all-rounder -- there has been a welcome drop in price, though, so an extra
point for Fuji there, but no credit at all for the cheapo cardboard sleeve.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
JVC SE-180 XG £7.99
The small amount of dropout we noted on last
year's samples seems top have been eradicated and that, coupled with excellent
noise figures and a new lower price means this one is definitely worth
searching out.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 9
JVC SE-180 XZ £9.99
Simply the best, not a trace of dropout and
some of the cleanest, sharpest colours we've seen. The reduction in price since
last years means there's no need to cut corners anymore. Once again our best
buy. Reccomended
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 10
Value for money: 9
KONICA
SE-180 £11.49
One of the very few Super VHS newcomers. A
good tape, no doubt about it, but with slightly better tapes selling for
significantly less we can see no reason to go out of your way to buy it, unless
you come across one at a substantial discount.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 6
MAXELL SE-180 XR-S BLACK £7.69
But for a slight increase in noise over last
years sample this tape would have ranked alongside JVC's PRO formulation, as it
is, still an excellent tape, and very good value for money too.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 9
PANASONIC SE-180 XD £9.99
Some slight instability at the beginning,
lasting for about a minute, but in all
other respects a high-performance tape with almost zero dropout and crisp
colours. One of the few S-VHS tapes to have risen in price since last year but
still good value.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
SCOTCH SE-180 £9.99
Scotch still haven't got around to changing
their packaging, which has the old S-VHS logo (changed in 1991), or are S-VHS
tape sales really that slow? In any case there's no change to speak of from previous years, average to good results
in all departments.
Chroma noise: 8
Dropout: 8
Value for money: 8
TDK SE-180 XP £9.99
TDK haven't quite been able to match the zero
dropout count on last year's sample but this still ranks as one of the best
S-VHS tapes with bright, vibrant colours. It would have been a contender, but
for the price increase, at a time when others are reducing theirs.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 9
Value for money: 8
TDK SE-180 XP PRO £11.99
Very clean, no dropout so this one would be
suitable for master recording on S-VHS camcorders. Not the best value around
but on past performance this has always been a very dependable tape.
Chroma noise: 9
Dropout: 10
Value for money: 6
| 
