DV tape storage?

Jeff Wilson · September 21st, 2005, 09:07 AM

I shoot Sony PDVM-40N, mini-DVCAM tapes. These come packaged in a large blue, plastic case, which while it provides excellent protection, the storage racks made for consumer mini-DV tape will not work with them. I can find a rack for full size DV tape, but I believe mini case size is different.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

Does anyone know of good modular racks for these tapes?

Mike Cavanaugh · December 6th, 2005, 09:25 AM

Hi all -
Fellow DVinfo'er, Marco Leavitt and I were chatting the other night and the question of how to store DV tapes came up. One of us advocated standing the tape horizontally, the other thought that standing the tape on the long edge was the way to go.

A search of the Long Black Line had only one mention that applied to this question... http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...t=tape+storage and that person felt that on edge was the best way to store a DV tape.

Any thoughts? (Besides the fact that we need to get a life!)

Steve Wolla · December 7th, 2005, 01:47 AM

I have always heard standing up tape vertically was best at least in theory. However, in practice I am not sure how much it really matters.

Adam Keen · December 7th, 2005, 05:41 AM

You're supposed to stand them up vertically. Having them horizontal for long periods of time could distort the edge of the tape as the weight of the tape presses it down. I also read that you should fast-forward and rewind tapes periodically.

Steve Wolla · December 7th, 2005, 08:30 AM

The winding out and rewinding of a tape prior to its 1st use is a good thing to do. Sometimes, tape can stick to itself, and that can be problematic when recording.

Mike Cavanaugh · December 8th, 2005, 09:38 AM

OK Marco - I owe you a beer

Doug Boze · December 10th, 2005, 12:31 AM

Just to make it clear, "on it's side" or "horizontally" means the cassette is resting on its face (where the label goes) or on its back (the drive side), whereas "on edge" or "vertically" means the tape reels are suspended like toilet paper: ready to go!

This is also why in most cases you do not want to transport a tape from one location to another while in the camera. Since it is untensioned and unlocked, the tape pack on each reel can shift, causing ripples in the media. Not good, though digital recording has masked this to a marked degree.

Sheila Ward · December 10th, 2005, 09:20 AM

I've always stored them "vertically", on the short edge, like a book in a book case. But it's weird that I just realized I store new tapes in the boxes, vertical on the long edge. But once they are used, I store them in a rack vertical on the short edge. Hmm, I should work on my consistency.

Clint Till · December 13th, 2005, 04:58 PM

I don't know for sure, but you could check www.tapeonline.com and see what they carry.

Sheila Ward · December 18th, 2005, 11:48 AM

Pretty sure this is the one you want for Mini DVCAM tapes:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Searcing on the model #DV8-36 lists the smaller DVCAM tapes as compatable. I have this on order and will post yes or no when I receive it.

Sheila Ward · December 22nd, 2005, 12:07 PM

Just to follow up, the tape rack in the above post is what you need for Mini DVCAM tapes. I just received it and the tapes fit perfectly.

Doug Boze · December 22nd, 2005, 02:21 PM

He needs a rack to hold the large DV cases:

http://www.taperesources-store.com/s...RDCLG&dept=241

Sheila Ward · December 22nd, 2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Boze

He needs a rack to hold the large DV cases:

http://www.taperesources-store.com/s...RDCLG&dept=241

He's asking for storage for DVCAM MiniDV tapes. The link in his post is to one just like you posted (large DVCAM). He wants something for the Sony PDVM-40N Mini DVCAM tapes.

Anyway, hope this helps Jeff.

Alessandro Machi · December 23rd, 2005, 12:22 AM

I like GemTrac

http://www.russbassett.com/products/gemtrac.cfm

They are very strong in the Corporate World, I don't know about home studio however.

Doug Boze · December 29th, 2005, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheila Ward

He's asking for storage for DVCAM MiniDV tapes.

Oh, I see it now. I had to re-read it a couple of times. I wonder if anybody ever made racks for pro Hi8 album cases. You sure couldn't buy replacements or even labels for love or money. Well, that's moot, now.

September 21st, 2005, 09:07 AM	#31
Jeff Wilson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Rome, Ohio Posts: 36	Tape Storage Racks I shoot Sony PDVM-40N, mini-DVCAM tapes. These come packaged in a large blue, plastic case, which while it provides excellent protection, the storage racks made for consumer mini-DV tape will not work with them. I can find a rack for full size DV tape, but I believe mini case size is different. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation Does anyone know of good modular racks for these tapes?

December 6th, 2005, 09:25 AM	#32
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	Tape Storage Position - Horizontal or Vertical? Hi all - Fellow DVinfo'er, Marco Leavitt and I were chatting the other night and the question of how to store DV tapes came up. One of us advocated standing the tape horizontally, the other thought that standing the tape on the long edge was the way to go. A search of the Long Black Line had only one mention that applied to this question... http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...t=tape+storage and that person felt that on edge was the best way to store a DV tape. Any thoughts? (Besides the fact that we need to get a life!)

December 10th, 2005, 12:31 AM	#37
Doug Boze Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 218	A clarification... Just to make it clear, "on it's side" or "horizontally" means the cassette is resting on its face (where the label goes) or on its back (the drive side), whereas "on edge" or "vertically" means the tape reels are suspended like toilet paper: ready to go! This is also why in most cases you do not want to transport a tape from one location to another while in the camera. Since it is untensioned and unlocked, the tape pack on each reel can shift, causing ripples in the media. Not good, though digital recording has masked this to a marked degree. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

December 13th, 2005, 04:58 PM	#39
Clint Till New Boot Join Date: May 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 22	I don't know for sure, but you could check www.tapeonline.com and see what they carry. __________________ Clint Till Parc Entertainment

December 22nd, 2005, 02:21 PM	#42
Doug Boze Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 218	He needs a rack to hold the large DV cases: http://www.taperesources-store.com/s...RDCLG&dept=241 __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

December 7th, 2005, 01:47 AM	#33
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	I have always heard standing up tape vertically was best at least in theory. However, in practice I am not sure how much it really matters.

December 7th, 2005, 05:41 AM	#34
Adam Keen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 49	You're supposed to stand them up vertically. Having them horizontal for long periods of time could distort the edge of the tape as the weight of the tape presses it down. I also read that you should fast-forward and rewind tapes periodically.

December 7th, 2005, 08:30 AM	#35
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	The winding out and rewinding of a tape prior to its 1st use is a good thing to do. Sometimes, tape can stick to itself, and that can be problematic when recording.

December 8th, 2005, 09:38 AM	#36
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	OK Marco - I owe you a beer

December 10th, 2005, 09:20 AM	#38
Sheila Ward Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 107	I've always stored them "vertically", on the short edge, like a book in a book case. But it's weird that I just realized I store new tapes in the boxes, vertical on the long edge. But once they are used, I store them in a rack vertical on the short edge. Hmm, I should work on my consistency.

December 18th, 2005, 11:48 AM	#40
Sheila Ward Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 107	Pretty sure this is the one you want for Mini DVCAM tapes: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search Searcing on the model #DV8-36 lists the smaller DVCAM tapes as compatable. I have this on order and will post yes or no when I receive it.

December 22nd, 2005, 12:07 PM	#41
Sheila Ward Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 107	Just to follow up, the tape rack in the above post is what you need for Mini DVCAM tapes. I just received it and the tapes fit perfectly.

December 23rd, 2005, 12:22 AM	#44
Alessandro Machi Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA Posts: 553	I'm a fan of GemTrac I like GemTrac http://www.russbassett.com/products/gemtrac.cfm They are very strong in the Corporate World, I don't know about home studio however. __________________ https://alexlogic.blogspot.com/ Los Angeles Emmy Winner (yes, used a video edit controller and loved doing so.)