Don't re-use MiniDV tapes

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Level 2

250 points

Don't re-use MiniDV tapes

I know, I know, why in the world am I still shooting MiniDV. Well I am, and I have a warning for anybody else who hasn't made the jump to tapeless yet.

Don't use your MiniDV tapes more than once!

I was on a location shoot, and I had one half-used tape in the camera and one new one in the bag, and I didn't know how long I'd be shooting, so I re-wound the tape and recorded over what was there (I had previosuly transferred that footage to my computer).

Well lo and behold, there are spots on my new footage where the old footage flashes through.

And guess what -- I only ended up shooting for 12 minutes! Ugh.

I learned my lesson. Maybe my foolishness will spare someone else the grief.

Posted on Apr 29, 2011 1:30 PM

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Answer 1

SoCal

Level 4

1,255 points

Apr 29, 2011 1:35 PM in response to Ann Apuladay

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. We've all made our fare share of mistakes.

Thanks for sharing. I'm sure it will help others out.

Always remember: Sharing is Caring 😀

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Answer 2

Apr 29, 2011 2:33 PM in response to SoCal

Not wanting to drag this out in this age of tapeless acquisition but I've reused DV tapes dozens of times. Sony DVCAM 40 minute cassettes, not the dime store miniDV 60 minute cassettes. Shooting at DVCAM and not DV.

bogiesan

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Answer 3

Ann Apuladay Author

Level 2

250 points

Apr 29, 2011 2:46 PM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

Ah, well, I guess that makes a difference. I used the dime store 60 minute DV tapes. (Hopefully for not much longer though.)

Ann

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Answer 4

Apr 29, 2011 6:11 PM in response to Ann Apuladay

You can get the Sony MiniDVs @ Costo for $2.50 a piece (5-pack). Don't use TDKs!. If you must re-record over a MiniDV, record black over it first to atleast erase the image....

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