Erasing DV tape

[senseigmg]

I need to erase DV tapes to use multiple times. Currently, after rewinding them, the new recordings may be shorter than the old ones, so that as soon as a new recording ends, the old one begins. Is there any way to erase the entire tape. I've tried making a long blank video in premiere and exporting that to tape, but then I can't use my computer and it says it'll take 4 hours to render 30 min of blank video.

Also, because other people are using these tapes (not that tech savvy). I would prefer for them to use blank ones instead of trying to figure out how to forward it to a blank spot.

[johnells]

A strong electromagnet would do the trick. I have a device I picked up for nothing that scrambles any magnetic media. In fact I don't even like to stand next to it when it is on. I get the same feeling when I am operating a really old microawave that may or maynot leak radiation.

John

[Bodyslide]

I normally rewind the entire tape, leave the cap on and record nothing for the length of the tape.

[senseigmg]

Thanks for the quick replys. I tried leaving the cap on. The thing is, that its not actually blank, it still records audio. I'm going to try the electromagnet thing tho. Where'd you find it? Or did you make it?

[Bodyslide]

I plug in a microphone that has an on/off switch, and of course the mic is set to off, that way no sound.

[State Of Mind]

You gradually lose video quality after you record on a DV tape 3 or 4 times. I have uploaded DV via firewire using WinDV and the quality from a tape that was used once compared to that of one that was used 4 times was quite visually noticable.

[Bodyslide]

I only reuse my tapes about 5 or 6 times. I also only stick with one brand.

[johnells]

Try making your own with some copper wire and a battery. You may have to experiment with the number of coils and voltage. Just play now

John

How to make your own.