Hey guys/gals do you recycle your Mini DV and how often

Cooldraft wrote on 6/12/2004, 8:56 AM

I wrote down in my procedures that I would NEVER use a tape again. OK, until I now have in excess of 200 MiniDV tapes cataloged, If you do use them again is there anything I should know that would save me botching a $1,000 job? As I write that, I just figured it out 26.00 vs $1000. Hmm. I still would like to know what you think! How about erasing them without putting hours on my camera?

Comments

Jsnkc wrote on 6/12/2004, 9:19 AM

I usually use tapes at least 5-10 times and just degausss them in between each use. Haven't had any problems yet.

Cooldraft wrote on 6/12/2004, 9:20 AM

Degass them with what?

Jameson_Prod wrote on 6/12/2004, 6:00 PM

Years ago (and I am realliy telling my age!!) we use to use a bulk eraser to erase 8 track tapes. It was a large (apporximately 6" diameter) round electro-magnet with a handle. We would just run the tape case across the face and completely erase all material on the tape. Do they still make those or something similar that could erase a DV tape in the same manner??

Just a thought.........

farss wrote on 6/12/2004, 7:28 PM

They're still around but trying to bulk erase any digital media is quite difficult. No real point to it anyway if you're going to record over it and if you are worried about what's already on it recording black is probably a better idea. Still adds hours to the heads though.
For my money if you value what you're shooting buy another tape, people seem to have enough trouble with new tape so why temp fate.

John_Cline wrote on 6/12/2004, 9:07 PM

Radio Shack has (or has had) a high-power, hand-held bulk eraser that will completely erase a DV tape. I bought one years ago and use it all the time. I'm not at the studio at the moment, but I'll post the Radio Shack part number when I get back there on Monday.

I did notice one at American Science & Surplus for $14.95:

BULK ERASER $14.95

John