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[OT] Reuse Digibeta
I was wondering if it’s generally a bad idea to try rerecording footage onto used Digibeta tapes. I have several tapes with older cuts that I’m not sure what to do with. Of course, if there’s a good risk that the quality could be compromised then I’m assuming it’s now worth it. Would appreciate any advice!
Thanks!
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8 Replies
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Sure.
Tapes are to be reused.
If you treat the tape well, you can use it several times.
Rafael -
digiBeta tapes can be reused several times with no adverse effect. Beta SP and miniDV, less so. Just make sure that you do a little more QA after you lay off to the reused tape.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
Yes you can re-use broadcast tapes. Bulk (erase) them first if you have access to a high power (metal) eraser. It’s done all the time in broadcast. Some people even prefer ‘one pass’ tapes, because the head buffs the loose oxide of on the first pass.
I would respectfully disagree with Arnie on the subject of reusing miniDV. The tape speed, head diameter and surface width of the tape are such that drop outs, misthreads and tape wear (and head clogs) are much more likely to occur with these small tapes I know people do it all the time, but you also see a lot of posts regarding “signal loss and how to repair”. An unnecessary reshoot at even a cheap day rate isn’t worth saving 10 dollars on tape.
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[Arnie Schlissel] “Beta SP and miniDV, less so. Just make sure that you do a little more QA after you lay off to the reused tape. “
I would definitely disagree with MiniDV. Those tapes are barely good enough to be used once.
BetaSP you have to watch every single frame if you re-use one of those. Generally we never re-use BetaSP here either, at least not for any client masters.
DigiBeta, DVCPro HD, D5 and HDCAM, absolutely you can re-use those.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media“Foul Water, Fiery Serpent” now in Post.
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Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital. -
[Scott Sheriff] “I would respectfully disagree with Arnie on the subject of reusing miniDV”
Well, as long as you’re respectful! Except that we don’t disagree. Perhaps I was just being too pithy?
I meant that SP and DV should be reused less, not that they were less prone to problems from reuse.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
Awesome! I had no clue that the tapes were so resilient. I’ve only recorded one pass on the tapes and they’ve been played a few times. Nice to know as I prefer to not throw away.
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I also think it’s a good idea to re-tension any tapes you are reusing by fast forwarding and rewinding them all the way.
Matt Lyon
Editor
Toronto -
Great advice, thank you Matt!
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