Use of same DV TAPE again and again!
 

Folks,

Any body tell me whether is it good to use the same DV tape again and again, if yes, how many times it is good to use the same tape to record.

I just completed one dv tape to test with different settings..
Can I start again from the beginning to use, Since its digital format (and not the old analog) is there any performance issues .

Sure it's all right. But for important footage use a fresh tape. How many times? Some say a lot, I've found 5 to 7 times---before I notice "drop-outs." Also, some tape brands are better than others.

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

Thanks Frank for the input.

Even though this topic seems to be out of topic which is specifically for Panasonic, but we use the tapes in the panasonic!
So, we discuss which tape affects the panasonic product and gives maximum efficiency !!!

I am using TDK tapes, since i am getting 6 tapes for $25 from COSTCO. So I am going to stick with that brand only.

But there is a problem, i have already two maxell pre recorded tape, I am wondering whether I can play it in this camcorder(gs100k) or not.

If you are going to use a different type or brand of tape, clean the tape (record for 5 to 7 seconds with a cleaning tape). Once you switch again, run the cleaner again. Ouch! Perhaps try it without cleaning the heads and see what happens? Personally, I hate to even think about this. I just use Fuji. I've had my share of problems with some tape brands (and mixing them). On my 1st MX300, I only used Pana tape and didn't have any problems, but both Fuji and Pana are dry.

Frank
I have used That Maxell and TDK cassetes on my JVC 520 U before to record. But that camcorder didnt give any problems, It took almost any type of cassettes!

You were lucky. Perhaps these 2 tape brands are the same or similar with their make-up. The biggest culprit was with mixing Pana and Sony. I had problems with JVC tape, just by themselves. I never used Maxell nor TDK. So what else can I say? If you re-use tape and/or mix tape without cleaning your heads, you take your chances. Drop-outs are not a nice thing; gummed heads are ugly.

TDK never gave any problem by itself;
I never used sony or fuji tapes!

I think TDK, Panasonic, Maxell uses similar kind of Lubricants in the tape! So I guess we can use interchangably.

Possibly anybody having problems using these tapes alternatively
can provide more experience with that.

Hey Frank,

You say to record with a cleaning tape. I've always just hit "play" and the tape has done the job.

Why "record"?

Thanks,

Mike Avery

Either way works. I always just record for 5 seconds, and that seems do to the trick for years. Last time I cleaned my DVL9500s was about 4 years ago. When I first got my first DVL9500, the JVC tapes gummed up my heads. I played the cleaning tape twice, didn't work---still gummed. 3rd time I recorded for 5 seconds, and that worked.