Good Question (mini-dv tape)

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Evan77
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Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by Evan77 »

I have been using 3 mini-dv tapes in rotation forever since you can keep writing over them, but little by little, will quality slowly dwindle? I wanted to know before I went into a lifetime of questioning this.
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RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by maj_barnes »

Mine haven't but it would seem certain that they would from just general wear and tear of them being written over or played back.
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RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by chchaisson1 »

I agree with maj barnes, the quality would degrade over time. But doesn't doing that give you timecode problems? It you had a clip, and than you record two shorter clips over it with a break in between them, that might screw things up.
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RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by maj_barnes »

It you had a clip, and than you record two shorter clips over it with a break in between them, that might screw things up.
I haven't had any problem like that myself yet, I always record over old stuff (once it's saved).
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RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by Raptor »

Mini DV tapes use an ME tape type, more subject to breakdown than MP tapes. I reuse tapes for news a max of about 6 to 8 times, for production on the TV show, we use them twice, the first is the actual recording, then we record the finished show onto them for delivery to the station, when we get them back, they just stay archives of the show. The problem is, you won't get any warning of surface breakdown, one pass they will just have dropouts or banding.. I've had three tapes i use for news in the last month that started exhibiting banding or dropouts in less than 8 passes.
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RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by Theshapecool »

surely there not that expencive to buy new ones? but you should be fine for a good year I would say....
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RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

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I never reuse them. that way, I have the footage if I ever need it again.
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Re: RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by Passit »

tallman_house_pictures wrote:I never reuse them. that way, I have the footage if I ever need it again.
thats what i do. they're cheap as chips so theres no point risking it.

i had quite a few problems with sony premium dv tapes - i bought a couple of packs and had to throw 2 tapes away even tho they had come straight from the wrapper. i lost some footage on others too. ive read on some shopping sites that other consumers have had problems with sony tapes and they submitted cr** reviews.
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RE: Re: RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by Grant »

I personally never reuse either. Anything with moving parts will degrade
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RE: Re: RE: Good Question (mini-dv tape)

Post by Lee »

It is a sensible idea really. Not re-using means the best quality all the time and is better for when you want to archive your footage. It is what I would do personally.
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