Sony has announced the availability of 85-minute MiniDV HDV tapes. This will get you an extra 22 minutes or of recording time over their current HDV tapes. Currently you can buy 80+ minute tapes from Sony and other manufacturers, but the manufacturing quality is questionable for new HDV digital camcorders like the Sony HC3.

Right now this is a Sony Japan-only announcement, but I’ll bet the U.S. and others will be seeing these tapes soon. They will be available in mid-September as 2-packs for around 1,500 Yen or about $13 U.S.

[ via Newlaunches ]