DV tape usage??
 

OK, does anyone know how many times you can reuse a mini dv tape before it starts to degrade? Or does it degrade? I video weddings, commercials and such and don't want to find out the hard way.

After 2 or 3 times you might start getting gliches. I never use more than once.

use my tapes only ones. in bulk the cost is only $2,98 sny 60/80 min

greetings

This question has been chewed, digested and regurgitated numerous times in the "Long Black Line" Threads. It all comes down to the same basic answer...

The $2-3 bucks you save in not using a new tape may be the most expensive mistake you make! If you are shooting a wedding - you have one shot to get it right. Do you really want to tell the blushing bride that you missed the ring ceremony or the first dance because of a tape glitch? How about that commercial client? You have talent costs, studio or set costs, graphics etc. Missed the good take because of a little hit on the tape? VERY EXPENSIVE!

I use new tapes only for everything I do. I occasionally will re-use a tape once on something that is repeatable in edit - such as a dub or a draft master where I'm the only one who will see it and if there is a hit on the tape, I can re-do the action. When I print a master - Always a new tape.

Use a new tape each time... but I have had success shooting over the same two tapes for Major League baseball highlight reels (nearly a shoot every day for a month) with very little loss or digital glitches. As soon as I notice any slight shift or lock up I toss it.

But these are Sony tapes (the best I've found, the DVM 60's); bought from a wholesaler, be sure to use the ones in the orange pack, NOT the blue pack (they snap).

The Sony reps tell me they are the exact same tape, and I'm sure they are, but they certainly are not wound the same or from the same factory. The blue wrapped are put together in Mexico and the orange in France.

I will never use the blue wrapped tapes again... too many re-shoots. But it's solid tape and I have used them over three times each, realize too that that's on a highlight reel of an hour in which I only use a minute thirty to two minutes for air.

Other than that instance, I always use a new tape.