Sony DVCAM Tape-How Many Times To Use
 

I'm using the Sony DVCAM 40 tape for weddings. How many times should I record on them before I discard them? I'm currently using them 2 times and recording over them in between. Thanks!!

IMO if you are getting PAID to shoot weddings then you charge client for NEW tape = use tape ONE time for paid jobs
...re-use it on non paying jobs or vacations ...

i usually start to notice drop-outs around 3rd re-use of tape

Reusing DV tapes for "client work" is penny wise and pound foolish. I have never done it, the risk of drop-outs is simply not worth it. Tape is cheaper than business development and reputation repair. Do a search and you'll find lots of discussion of this issue in other threads. The bottom line: you are taking a risk. In my opinion, DV (mostly) and DVCAM (somewhat) are write once, capture once, and then archive on the shelf type media.

Thanks for the info. I'll start using the tapes once. Also, on a new tape do you record over it before you use it to create a blank timeline?

One other question. Using close to $100 worth of tapes per wedding would it be better to use a hard disk recorder (DTE)? Thanks.