miniDV tape re-use

[monkeyhair]

Hi,

I just got a miniDV camera and was wondering if i can reuse the tape after i have copied it to my computer via firewire. i have heard conflicting info on this topic. i don't know if this question has been asked before since the seach is still disabled.

thanks,

[EricB]

Sure you can reuse it. Sometimes there are issues with timecode as the tape is "striped" while it is being recorded. If you start re-recording part way in, or if you have breaks in your new recording, the old timecode may be readable. When this happens, any editing software that looks for timecode can get conflicting info.

[monkeyhair]

so i just have to make sure that i re-use the whole tape or erase it first? also does quality suffer if i keep re-using it?

[Majtolycus]

If you're taping something that's really important to you, I personally wouldn't recommend reusing miniDV tape. I've been using assorted models of Canon miniDV 'corders for the past couple of years and have had nightmares with the tapes.. most specifically, the tape lubricant. What happens is, the warmer the camcorder gets and the more times the tape is wound through it, the more likely you are to get gunk buildup (i.e. the lubricant, usually a red or grayish black color, visible on the capstan). I had to go through a couple of replacement ZR10s before Canon realized that they truly had a defective product on their hands... now I have an Optura Pi (free upgrade, yay), but it still has the same old problems. At least regular cleaning seems to decrease the frequency of the problem (which manifests itself in dropouts and funky mosaic crap on playback), but it still happens.

Basically, if you want to reuse tape, be prepared to go through a lot of cleaning tapes and a/v cleaning kits.

--=Major

"The gunk... it won't come off!"

[EricB]

Well it sounds like Majtolycus has a lot more experience. I use Digital8 (gee no gunk on this) and instead of erasing, I just make sure that on the second time through, I back up to the end of the previous segment before starting again.

[Tommy]

I have a sony dv camcorder and I have reused tapes but not that often. I think the biggest mess would be the time codes as stated above. I haven't had a problem like Majtolycus, but then the Sony cams tell you when the need cleaning (so far before it became a problem). Then it could just be a canon problem, but I dont know. 8)

[jtor]

...I believe I've read something like Majtolycus' problem. It's not a camcorder problem, but a 'tape' problem. But that was on 'early' generations of miniDV tapes (and I'm not sure if the problem happened just recently). Apparently, different brands use diff types of lubs, and once they 'mix' up on the camcorder's heads...there you go!

I've been using only 1 brand of tape (TDK, as it's the cheapest I've seen, in Costco), and have been re-using all of them...no problems so far....AND, I'm also using a Canon camcorder.

hope this helps.

[Starbuck777]

Hello,
I just bought a JVC HR-DVS2U MiniDV, S-VHS VCR. Can anyone recommend where online I can find inexpensive MiniDV blank tapes???
It's been mentioned that timecode is very important to keep in-sync, any tips to make the process easier?
How do you erase minidv tapes? A big magnet?

Thanks

[monkeyhair]

starbuck777,

i got my tapes at www.tapestockonline.com. i got the
Panasonic AY-DVM60EJ 60/90 min tapes for $3.45 each. they also have
Sony DVM-60PR2 60 Minute Premium Mini DV for $4.69 each. they usually ship same day.

[Starbuck777]

Thanks monkeyhair,

I'll try there, is there a place that has the longer 80/120 minute tapes??

Thanks again