Backing up mini dv tapes at DVinfo.net

Tony Marino · June 14th, 2009, 05:05 PM

Hello, I'm backing up some mini dv tapes so I can have a copy in another location. If I copy an original mini dv tape to another tape then make a copy of the copy in the future is the quality going to be distorted? I know this was true for vhs tapes, but I think I remember reading that a copy of a copy (mini dv tape) can be made an unlimited number of times and the quality will not suffer at all.

Thank you

Oren Arieli · June 15th, 2009, 12:39 AM

A clone of a tape is theoretically identical to the original. However, any dropouts on the original tape and subsequent tapes will probably be recorded (and more can be added with each clone). Therefore, you're not going to get 'identical' copies.

Don Palomaki · June 16th, 2009, 06:55 PM

As Oren states, except for tape read errors (e.g., drop outs) the copy will be the same as the original. There is no generation loss if you do a digital (e.g., via firewire) copy.

June 14th, 2009, 05:05 PM	#1
Tony Marino Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 47	Backing up mini dv tapes Hello, I'm backing up some mini dv tapes so I can have a copy in another location. If I copy an original mini dv tape to another tape then make a copy of the copy in the future is the quality going to be distorted? I know this was true for vhs tapes, but I think I remember reading that a copy of a copy (mini dv tape) can be made an unlimited number of times and the quality will not suffer at all. Thank you

June 16th, 2009, 06:55 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,310	As Oren states, except for tape read errors (e.g., drop outs) the copy will be the same as the original. There is no generation loss if you do a digital (e.g., via firewire) copy. __________________ dpalomaki@cox.net

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June 15th, 2009, 12:39 AM	#2
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 322	A clone of a tape is theoretically identical to the original. However, any dropouts on the original tape and subsequent tapes will probably be recorded (and more can be added with each clone). Therefore, you're not going to get 'identical' copies.