Using a MiniDv camera as a tape deck

[Patrick]

I once read on an Internet forum, some guy recommending that when you first insert a brand new MiniDv tape into a camcorder, you should fastforward the tape all the way to the end and then rewind it to reduce the chance of sound drop outs. Is this really true? Do any of you use this practise? My only concern with this is that if you did it with every single tape prior to recording, you'll wear out the tape heads sooner.

[chachi]

I have always regarded this as common practice. I was Taught this while in broadcasting school using 3/4 tape. I have done it ever since. The problem is that sometimes tape would stick to itself and cause the recorder to stop recording during a live to tape shoot. Fast-forwarding and rewinding will un-stick any potential problems and allow the tape to run smoother.

Not 100% on the mini dv tape, but the tape shouldn't touch the head while in full Fwd or Rwd mode, only in search mode when Play is activated. I actually do this with new tapes on my Panasonic Pv-gs200 instead of on the Xh-A1 for less Motor wear

[cubdukat]

Even the cheapest VHS camcorders remove the tape from the heads during rewind or fast-forward, so I'm pretty sure MiniDV does the same. In fact, given how much easier it would be to clog the heads, it would have to.

My MiniDV cam just broke down not long ago, and I'm hesitant to get another one, except that its principal use is for getting my telecine Super-8 stuff into my computer. I may decide to go to direct-to-hard drive in the future.

[David M. Leugers]

One method to save wear and tear on your Mini-DV camera is to get a battery powered DV tape rewinder. The one I have can advance and rewind. It runs off of AAA batteries that last a long time.

[Patrick]

Ah thanks for confirming that, Chachi.

Uh oh Cubdukat. For so long, I was without a MiniDv camera. They are so handy to have. Transferring directly to hard drive sounds like a good idea though. Ive heard that MiniDv and DVCam have limited colour space anyway.

That sounds like a great invention, David. I wonder if those rewinders are readily available where I am.

[MusicConductor]

Here's another vote for fast winding. Even if the tape does run across the heads, the wear is insignificant, and also proportional to the time it takes (which is relatively short). Consider that the drum is rotating 30 times per second when in use, so the rotational velocity of the head across the tape is larger compared with the speed of the tape even while rewinding. So that's probably why some cheaper transports are designed to not even bother to release the tape.

So yes, fast winding prevents any sticking, and it evens out tension and the tape pack in general. I would think this is also important before playing back, and most important of all before acquisition.

Pro audio guys pretty much always recommend fast winding before using any tape under any circumstances too.

[Will2]

Another practice is actually recording test pattern (or just black) to the entire tape thus "formatting" the DV tape with a continuous time code. Then if you stop and start it there won't be a drop in time code. Used to have to something similar with Alesis ADAT tapes.

[MusicConductor]

I do a lot of audio work, so I can say with confidence that the Alesis situation is a little different. I'm assuming then that laying down video across the whole tape might be helpful in some circumstances, but that would be the exception, not the rule. Perhaps it would be most helpful when the equipment doesn't start/stop cleanly, or when timecode pre-striping is beneficial. However, the Alesis tapes (and the Tascam DTRS tapes also, used in DA-88s etc) require "formatting" before use if you want to record discontinuously with clean, studio-quality audio punch-ins. But I've recorded plenty-a-tape WHILE formatting when it's one continuous pass -- after fast winding it first, of course!

[teadub]

Another practice is actually recording test pattern (or just black) to the entire tape thus "formatting" the DV tape with a continuous time code. Then if you stop and start it there won't be a drop in time code. Used to have to something similar with Alesis ADAT tapes.

I always did this for serious work, also you used to be able to get pre TC tapes in beta SP and 3/4 back in the day. Someone taught me this in the 90's and i never really questioned it.

[Videogriff]

I would agree with those who advise RE-PACKING new tape. It's way to prevent any slippage that may occur with a tape that has been transported.

I personally do not do it with mini DV tape. Since the information is digital on the tape, any gaps in tape time should get fixed when it is being read off the tape. I could be wrong. Would love to hear from someone who knows more.

If you aren't an old film video person, you may not be familiar with the concept of pre-rolls. It is always good to have a little bit of tape leader before each cut of about 5 seconds. You can always capture on the fly if you don't, but a pre-roll makes it easier.

Striping tape with black was handy during the tape to tape editing days when you had to fear breaking a control track. It's safer just to do a post roll of five seconds and rewind into your post roll whenever your start up your camera. If you turn off your camera or it goes into stand by it may not return to your last recorded video on the tape and you may get a control track break.

I would advise against striping tapes these days as your average small format digital video head is built to last around 1000 hours. So striping tapes will kill your heads and you will be paying for repairs twice as fast.

My best advice is to pre-roll and post-roll each take for 5 seconds.

[Patrick]

I always pre-roll and post-roll...unless I'm taken by surprise.