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Re-using old Mini-DV tapes?
Hi,
I was just cleaning out my cupboard and found a lot of used Mini-DV’s. Since I try to recycle and reuse as much objects as i can, for ecological reasons, I would also like to give my tapes a new life/destination beyond the use they’ve already had… Does anyone here on the forum has any experience with re-using used tapes? Is there any reason why using a used tape would be more risky (I’m thinking of “dropped frames” for instance) then using new ones?
Sarah -
4 Replies
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I would only reuse your mini-dv tapes on non-critical shoots or edits.
Mini-DV tapes are very inexpensive and are very susceptible to drop outs compared to DVCAM stock tape.
Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Board of Directors
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group -
You will also shorten the life of your heads. I’ve replaced heads on a dv camera and attributed it mostly to used tapes. Not worth the risk.
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If you crack open the plastic cover, you can use them for nifty New Years Eve streamers.
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Not to sound stupid but:
If the heads in the cam can get damaged by using used tapes – what does that mean for the DV decks? The tapes that go into them are obviously used…..
Do the heads funcion in a different way when reading rather than recording?
And what does this mean in relation to the “stream” your tapes for continuos timecode before use-advice, that many swear to?
You guys got me worried now….
*** Norwegian videojournalist & Editor***
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