Should I strip a USED tape?
 

Hi all.

I was wondering what everyone thought concerning striping a tape that already has been fully recorded. If possible, I'd like to re-use my minidv tapes that I shot on the DVX100---but are there any known issues when striping tapes for another round of recorded video? Have there been any tests/studies on re-recording over video? Are the images still 100% clear or will it start to degrade?

Or, should I just play it safe and buy new tapes?

Nick,
There are many threads and opinions here on using used tapes.

The bottom line is simple: if you're shooting something important use a new tape. Tape is dirt cheap, particularly compared with missing something irreplaceable, screwing up a day's shooting with cast and crew, or dissolving up your reputation.

Thanks Ken,
I did do a search, but I couldn't get the right search phrase to come up. I typed "strip tape used" and it gave me a bunch of links--I read them, but I still couldn't find the answer. So I posted here. Thanks anyways, you answered it:)

Keep in mind that if you are going to "strip" miniDV tape, it's going to put wear on your heads. Some guys buy a cheap cam for doing this. But like Ken said, it's not worth the bother.

PS: some shooters like to "strip" even new tape. There's something about this at supervideo.

The term you may have been looking for is actually "stripe", although it does not specifically relate to "reuse".

Stripe, like what a solder has on his shoulders?

Yup. Or like a skunk has down its back. <g>