DV Tape Rewinder at DVinfo.net

Matt Elias · July 31st, 2003, 04:26 PM

Would the purchase of a DV tape rewinder be necessary? Not sure how much wear it puts on my GL2 to rewind tapes. I've seen rewinders for $25 - not too expensive if it prolongs the life of my camera.

Cool, my 20th post. Guess that makes me a regular...

Don Bloom · July 31st, 2003, 04:37 PM

It's not necessary but I think you just answered your own question. Any wear and tear on a camera besides the actual purpose it was designed for in my opinion is excessive. I have a little rewinder that I use and have had no problems with it other than its slow but I would rather it be slow than put more wear and tear on the transport of my camera.
Just my $.04 cents worth (adjusted for a slow economy)
Don

Michael Wisniewski · July 31st, 2003, 05:28 PM

Try to get one that both fast forwards and rewinds, they cost almost the same:

- the fast forward feature can be a time saver.
- you can also use it to get rid of any slack in the tape.

Samuel Raj · July 31st, 2003, 06:09 PM

Where we can get these rewinder in US?

Matt Stahley · July 31st, 2003, 06:11 PM

I thought it was best to FF/RW tape in the camera before recording to reduce slack and for proper alignment on the heads?

Patricia Kim · July 31st, 2003, 07:43 PM

Samuel, I just bought a one-way rewinder made by Maxell for about $25 at a Long's Drugstore. One caveat: someone pointed out that you do take the risk of snapping your tape, so it's my intention to use the rewinder only after I have first downloaded any clips I want to my computer and/or have a good backup of anything I really want to keep - just in case.

Samuel Raj · July 31st, 2003, 08:12 PM

Thanks Patricia,

May be a high quality, costly rewinder if available, can do the best job.

Patricia Kim · July 31st, 2003, 08:25 PM

Samuel, some people are buying cheaper digicamcorders and using them, the theory being that they then have a backup camcorder, too. If you're going for a costly re-winder, maybe you should look into dv tape players, although, if you're going to do that, you might just as well consider getting another GS100 or something close to it.

Chris Hurd · August 1st, 2003, 12:18 PM

Howdy from Texas,

Our site sponsor Pro-Tape has a variety of Mini DV cassette rewinders for sale. Here's a complete list of them. Hope this helps,

Michael Wisniewski · August 1st, 2003, 11:09 PM

Chris, you have a comma in the Pro-Tape URL above

Jeff Donald · August 1st, 2003, 11:43 PM

Fixed, thanks Michael. I have posted on several occasions my thoughts on the limitations of rewinders. The biggest of which is the rough handling of a relatively fragile tape format. I own the Sima SRW-62 and I find it's performance lacking. It handles the tape in much to rough of a manner. It snaps the tape in both forward and reverse. In my opinion this is unacceptable in mini DV tapes.

While we all value the time and wear and tear on our expensive cameras (XL1, DVX100, PD150 etc.), nothing is more valuable than the tape. The footage I shoot and capture on tape is far more valuable than cost of replacing heads etc. Try explaining to a bride or corporate client that the tape was destroyed by rewinding the tape to avoid a little wear and tear on your precious camera. It's just not worth it to me. If anyone wants to buy it make an offer.

Roze Ann · September 13th, 2003, 08:52 PM

I bought a Sima 2 way mini-rewinder from Pro-Tape (one of this forums sponsors). It was only $24.95 and I LOVE IT!!! Cannot even imagine how anyone would consider using a $2500 camera or even a $500 one as a rewind/ff machine. It's the best $25 +/- insurance you can buy. I HIGHLY recommend these to everyone. (Not doubting Jeff's comments at all... I may just be very blessed on this issue). Plus the run on AC adaptor (included) or AAA batteries so you can take them on location. I just leave mine plugged in next to the computer.

As soon as I return from a shoot the FIRST thing I do is unload the camera and pop the tape into the rewinder. Label the tape (if I haven't done so already) and put it in a cool 50 ct. mini-dv rack (also from Pro-Tape). Then when it is time to transfer I know everything is already wound to the beginning of the tape and we're good to go!

I have used the Sima to "pre-stretch" a few tapes when I had time ahead to do so. I use only Fuji DVC 60's and have had NO problems at all. Perfect performance. Do yourself a favor and get a rewinder. Honestly it is one of the best investments you can make.

Paul Chun · March 25th, 2004, 09:43 PM

I read somewhere that MiniDV tape rewinders are bad for the tape. No real evidence to back that up. I just thought I'd throw this out to everyone to get some opinions. I just bought one and I wanted to know if it is indeed bad for the tape. I got it so that I don't put too much wear on the camera rewinding.

Jack Smith · March 25th, 2004, 11:07 PM

I'm using a Maxell rewinder. Goes real slow so I don't think it will cause any problem.Rewinders that are fast and don't have a brake or speed changer near the end of the tape can cause stretch and possibly breakage.
I wish I had a fast forward on it. That would be useful aswell
smitty

Ken Tanaka · March 25th, 2004, 11:33 PM

It may, at first, seem unsettling to trust a "dumb" device to rewind your tape. But in my experience with them, they're fine. I use a battery-powered winder/rewinder that probably cost $30 from Tape Resources.

July 31st, 2003, 04:26 PM	#1
Matt Elias Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: California Posts: 149	DV Tape Rewinder Would the purchase of a DV tape rewinder be necessary? Not sure how much wear it puts on my GL2 to rewind tapes. I've seen rewinders for $25 - not too expensive if it prolongs the life of my camera. Cool, my 20th post. Guess that makes me a regular...

July 31st, 2003, 05:28 PM	#3
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Try to get one that both fast forwards and rewinds, they cost almost the same: - the fast forward feature can be a time saver. - you can also use it to get rid of any slack in the tape. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

August 1st, 2003, 12:18 PM	#9
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Howdy from Texas, Our site sponsor Pro-Tape has a variety of Mini DV cassette rewinders for sale. Here's a complete list of them. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 1st, 2003, 11:09 PM	#10
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Chris, you have a comma in the Pro-Tape URL above __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

August 1st, 2003, 11:43 PM	#11
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Fixed, thanks Michael. I have posted on several occasions my thoughts on the limitations of rewinders. The biggest of which is the rough handling of a relatively fragile tape format. I own the Sima SRW-62 and I find it's performance lacking. It handles the tape in much to rough of a manner. It snaps the tape in both forward and reverse. In my opinion this is unacceptable in mini DV tapes. While we all value the time and wear and tear on our expensive cameras (XL1, DVX100, PD150 etc.), nothing is more valuable than the tape. The footage I shoot and capture on tape is far more valuable than cost of replacing heads etc. Try explaining to a bride or corporate client that the tape was destroyed by rewinding the tape to avoid a little wear and tear on your precious camera. It's just not worth it to me. If anyone wants to buy it make an offer. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 31st, 2003, 04:37 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	It's not necessary but I think you just answered your own question. Any wear and tear on a camera besides the actual purpose it was designed for in my opinion is excessive. I have a little rewinder that I use and have had no problems with it other than its slow but I would rather it be slow than put more wear and tear on the transport of my camera. Just my $.04 cents worth (adjusted for a slow economy) Don

July 31st, 2003, 06:09 PM	#4
Samuel Raj Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 210	Where we can get these rewinder in US?

July 31st, 2003, 06:11 PM	#5
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	I thought it was best to FF/RW tape in the camera before recording to reduce slack and for proper alignment on the heads?

July 31st, 2003, 07:43 PM	#6
Patricia Kim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 453	Samuel, I just bought a one-way rewinder made by Maxell for about $25 at a Long's Drugstore. One caveat: someone pointed out that you do take the risk of snapping your tape, so it's my intention to use the rewinder only after I have first downloaded any clips I want to my computer and/or have a good backup of anything I really want to keep - just in case.

July 31st, 2003, 08:12 PM	#7
Samuel Raj Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 210	Thanks Patricia, May be a high quality, costly rewinder if available, can do the best job.

July 31st, 2003, 08:25 PM	#8
Patricia Kim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 453	Samuel, some people are buying cheaper digicamcorders and using them, the theory being that they then have a backup camcorder, too. If you're going for a costly re-winder, maybe you should look into dv tape players, although, if you're going to do that, you might just as well consider getting another GS100 or something close to it.

September 13th, 2003, 08:52 PM	#12
Roze Ann Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 116	@ mini dv rewinders I bought a Sima 2 way mini-rewinder from Pro-Tape (one of this forums sponsors). It was only $24.95 and I LOVE IT!!! Cannot even imagine how anyone would consider using a $2500 camera or even a $500 one as a rewind/ff machine. It's the best $25 +/- insurance you can buy. I HIGHLY recommend these to everyone. (Not doubting Jeff's comments at all... I may just be very blessed on this issue). Plus the run on AC adaptor (included) or AAA batteries so you can take them on location. I just leave mine plugged in next to the computer. As soon as I return from a shoot the FIRST thing I do is unload the camera and pop the tape into the rewinder. Label the tape (if I haven't done so already) and put it in a cool 50 ct. mini-dv rack (also from Pro-Tape). Then when it is time to transfer I know everything is already wound to the beginning of the tape and we're good to go! I have used the Sima to "pre-stretch" a few tapes when I had time ahead to do so. I use only Fuji DVC 60's and have had NO problems at all. Perfect performance. Do yourself a favor and get a rewinder. Honestly it is one of the best investments you can make. __________________ "God is good, life is hard, Heaven is sure" Camille Daily Fat Cat Media

March 25th, 2004, 09:43 PM	#13
Paul Chun Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 132	Tape Rewinders I read somewhere that MiniDV tape rewinders are bad for the tape. No real evidence to back that up. I just thought I'd throw this out to everyone to get some opinions. I just bought one and I wanted to know if it is indeed bad for the tape. I got it so that I don't put too much wear on the camera rewinding.

March 25th, 2004, 11:07 PM	#14
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	I'm using a Maxell rewinder. Goes real slow so I don't think it will cause any problem.Rewinders that are fast and don't have a brake or speed changer near the end of the tape can cause stretch and possibly breakage. I wish I had a fast forward on it. That would be useful aswell smitty

March 25th, 2004, 11:33 PM	#15
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	It may, at first, seem unsettling to trust a "dumb" device to rewind your tape. But in my experience with them, they're fine. I use a battery-powered winder/rewinder that probably cost $30 from Tape Resources. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com