What do you think about the following statement/recommendation:

"Before you shoot or edit into a new videotape, you should fast-forward it to the end and then rewind it. This ensures that the tape has been stretched as much as it will stretch under normal use, and that it is tightly and evenly spooled. Streching and winding the tape will reduce the risk of drop-outs, tape jams, and even tape breakage. Two-way MiniDV rewinders can perform such task and are highly recommended since they save a camera from extensive wear and tear."

It sounds reasonable, but maybe unnecessary. I have run many boxs of tapes without these steps, and have never noticed a problem... that I could blame on the tape. Myself, however, still tend to screw up the simplist of things at times :)

I understand the principles, but I honestly don't think it's necessary if you use a good grade of tape (at least 1 click above standard consumer grade). I worry more about the wear and tear on the capstan rollers than I do about my heads. Higher-speed tape movement = higher frictional heat, higher mechanical wear. I don't even rewind a tape in the camera unless it's unavoidable.