Jamming & tapes C120

[Bernard Delgado <delgado@nytimes.com>]

>> FYI

>> Just looking over the PXL booklet & it says not to use C120 tape cuz video

>> reproduction will be poor.

>> Use high bias chromium dioxide C-90 tape. Runs approx 10 minutes (5min per

>> side on C-90tape).

>> DONT use metal tapes.

>

>I have noticed that the PXL has trouble even with C-90 tapes unless they

>have been rew/ed into a very smooth spool in a good quality cassette deck.

>The problem is that it takes a lot of torque to run the tape at 8x the

>normal speed, and the motor inside the PXL is just a regular cassette tape

>motor with modified gear ratios. My assessment is that the C-120 should

>work if and only if it is spooled smoothly and you don't attempt to

>wind it back and forth.

>

Actually, the PXL instruction booklet does mention that to prevent tape

jamming be sure there isnt loose tape in the cassette. It suggests using a

pencil to turn the tape spool to take up the slack.

There is also a warning that lower quality tapes may jam the PXL.



I would imagine that C120 tape is thinner & more susceptible to stretching.

WHich is why the booklet warns that C120 tapes will give unsatisfactory

video reproduction.



good luck to all