1 - Intr oduction to the DA-78HR
10
TASC AM D A-78 HR
There are two basic types of Hi8 tape: MP and ME.
Each has its own particular characteristics and mer-
its:
MP tapes are manufactured using a daubed mag-
netic particle deposit process and exhibit a level of
performance which is more than acceptable. They
have a durability which allows them to be used as
work tape s in stud io an d po st-pr od uctio n
environ ments.
ME tapes have t hei r ma g net i c l a yer produced
through a metal evap oration process. Generally
speaki ng, thou gh these tapes h ave a high p erfor-
mance level, they are not as robust as MP tapes (see
above) a nd should be used fo r live re cordin g and
archival purposes, rather than as work tapes.
TASCAM does not endorse any specific tape or tape
manufacturer. TASCAM has licensed the use of the
DTRS logo ( ) to tape manufac t urers, provide d
their tape meets the specifications required by DTRS
tape recorders. The table below lists several such
tapes, certified for use with DTRS tape recorders.
However, the use of the DTRS logo on the tape pack-
aging does not imply any endorsement of the tape by
TASCAM. It is possible that the characteristics and
sensitivities of tapes may be changed by the manu-
fact ur ers with out no t ice. The brands a nd mode l num-
bers of tapes listed below may not always meet the
specifications required by DTRS systems for opti-
mum performance. TASCAM assumes no responsi-
bility for problems resulting from changes ma de by a
manufacturer to the materials or specifications of its
tape products.
The electrical characteristics of DTRS recorders are
adjust ed an d set us ing Son y Hi8 t ape pa ramete rs (MP
and ME) prior to shipment.

1.5.1 Tape brands

The fol l owing br a nds and mo dels of tap e can be used
with the DA-78HR. As mentioned above, this list
does not constitute any endorsement by TASCAM of
these products, nor is it a guarantee that tapes bearin g
this brand and model name will continue to give opti-
mum pe rfor ma nce.
The electronics of DTRS recorders are designed to
operate within specific parameters. The use of a tape
with sensitivity higher or lower than that of tapes for
which the DTRS recorder was originally designed
may cause an error in functionality or prevent the
user from getting optimum performance from the
tape . Always us e the shor test po ssible tape for a
given project. Do not attempt to use 150-minute or
longer tapes in DTRS machines, as the machine will
detect the thickness of tape and automatically eject
any tape thinner than recommended.
Never attempt to use a tape with the DA-78HR that
has previously been used in video equipment.
NOTE
— IMPORTANT
You cannot cut and splice DTRS 8mm tapes for edit-
ing purposes. Using a spliced tape in the DA-78HR
will in variably resu lt in se rious damag e to th e heads,
requiring replacement. All editing must be done digi-
tally.
Maker MP ME
Sony D ARS-MP E6-HM E
P6-HM P E5 -HME
P6-HM PX E 6-HME AD
P5-HM P E5 -HME AD
P5-HMPX E6-HMEX
E5-HMEX
Quantegy DA8 MP
BASF DA MP
HHB DA113
Maxell DRS-113DA (P)
Fuji DPD-MP