I really don't have a use for the clear plastic case once I've loaded the footage onto my hard drive...that is, I don't feel the need to stick the mini-DV tape unit back into the case before putting it away...either in a 50-tape holding piece of molded plastic or in small boxes that hold 50-100 or so.

My labeling is on the tape cartridge itself and being inside or a case makes it difficult to read or forces me to write still another label.

Am I missing something? Is there a valid practical reason to maintain them? Yes, I have no doubt that somehow, the tapes would be even more safe if inside another casing...but is that truly significant? Worth adding extra steps to my workflow?

[In case I'm not persuaded to begin using them, am posting a separate query around how to recycling them.]

YIKES! YES. The case is the first layer of defense against dust. I won't place tapes that have been sitting out of their cases for any significant period of time into any of my cameras or VTRs.

YIKES! YES. The case is the first layer of defense against dust. I won't place tapes that have been sitting out of their cases for any significant period of time into any of my cameras or VTRs.

Exactly! Airborne microgrit causes tape dropouts !!!

You wouldn't leave your food out of your refrigerator, that's in the same class.

Cheers.

not to mention that if you're stacking tapes they stack easier and if they're in job bags the shells won't get damaged.

OK, get it. Thank you all. Had a blind spot. Have former wives who would be amused by this thread...