use permanent marker on Mini DV tapes at DVinfo.net

Graham Jones · June 24th, 2004, 04:33 AM

Is it okay to use permanent marker straight on Mini DV tape exterior, as an alternative to applying the stickers and writing on them - or is there a danger that the chemicals in the marker may cause problems when inserted into camera shortly afterwards?

Graham Bernard · June 24th, 2004, 05:21 AM

Why would you want to do it though?

Graham Jones · June 24th, 2004, 10:05 AM

they're cam originals for a feature length film... it's more permanent... I'm only fishing to see if it matters either way

Graham Jones · June 25th, 2004, 04:12 PM

anyone?

Graham Jones · July 15th, 2004, 04:32 AM

112 hits, no thoughts? Too stupid a question??

Jeff Donald · July 15th, 2004, 05:24 AM

Apparently no one has thought of doing this, except you. Be a pioneer and try it. Then you can report your findings and we'll all know if we should be so bold. Myself, I'll stick to the label method (it's never failed me in 25+ years) until someone bold and adventuresome like yourself, posts about an alternative.

Robert J. Wolff · July 15th, 2004, 06:25 AM

Graham.

You live in a climate that is rather on the cool side, compared to others. I would be some what hesitant to do it in a very warm to hot enviorment, due to the fumes that markers put out. Put the marker close to your nose and you will smell the ink. Some of those marker pens have ink containing acetone. The stuff just loves to eat acetate. Think about that in a closed container such as a camera transport. I couldn't say that damage would be done. But, why take the chance.

Graham Jones · July 15th, 2004, 06:27 AM

Thanks Robert. It's Tokyo I'm shooting in - I'll avoid it, I think.

Mikko Wilson · July 21st, 2004, 12:27 PM

When we take a virgin tape out of the wrapper and stick it in a camera (even to stripe) we write the date on it on the clear window with a sharpie (brand) permanent marker so that we can see their age. - We recycle tapes so we change the stickers around but always have the mark of the age of the tape. We have never had any problems from it, we do this on both MiniDV and SVHS. We are a small TV station in Juneau, Alaska.

I personally mark all my tapes with a 3 digit ID number scratched into the window with a knife and written in red on a dab of whiteout on the spine next to the record tab. And i'v never had any problems as a result either.

Never actually gave it any thought wether it woudl have any adverse effects. definaly a good question.. hmmm..

- Mikko

Graham Jones · July 21st, 2004, 04:35 PM

thanks for your reply. I'm not going to do it as there is slight risk.

Chris Hink · September 16th, 2004, 08:21 AM

I've been using sharpies on DV tapes since the VX1000 came out. I've never had a problem.

June 24th, 2004, 04:33 AM	#1
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	use permanent marker on Mini DV tapes Is it okay to use permanent marker straight on Mini DV tape exterior, as an alternative to applying the stickers and writing on them - or is there a danger that the chemicals in the marker may cause problems when inserted into camera shortly afterwards?

July 15th, 2004, 05:24 AM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Apparently no one has thought of doing this, except you. Be a pioneer and try it. Then you can report your findings and we'll all know if we should be so bold. Myself, I'll stick to the label method (it's never failed me in 25+ years) until someone bold and adventuresome like yourself, posts about an alternative. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 15th, 2004, 06:25 AM	#7
Robert J. Wolff Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Adirondacks of New York Posts: 210	Graham. You live in a climate that is rather on the cool side, compared to others. I would be some what hesitant to do it in a very warm to hot enviorment, due to the fumes that markers put out. Put the marker close to your nose and you will smell the ink. Some of those marker pens have ink containing acetone. The stuff just loves to eat acetate. Think about that in a closed container such as a camera transport. I couldn't say that damage would be done. But, why take the chance. __________________ Himself

July 21st, 2004, 12:27 PM	#9
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	When we take a virgin tape out of the wrapper and stick it in a camera (even to stripe) we write the date on it on the clear window with a sharpie (brand) permanent marker so that we can see their age. - We recycle tapes so we change the stickers around but always have the mark of the age of the tape. We have never had any problems from it, we do this on both MiniDV and SVHS. We are a small TV station in Juneau, Alaska. I personally mark all my tapes with a 3 digit ID number scratched into the window with a knife and written in red on a dab of whiteout on the spine next to the record tab. And i'v never had any problems as a result either. Never actually gave it any thought wether it woudl have any adverse effects. definaly a good question.. hmmm.. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

June 24th, 2004, 05:21 AM	#2
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Why would you want to do it though?

June 24th, 2004, 10:05 AM	#3
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	they're cam originals for a feature length film... it's more permanent... I'm only fishing to see if it matters either way

June 25th, 2004, 04:12 PM	#4
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	anyone?

July 15th, 2004, 04:32 AM	#5
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	112 hits, no thoughts? Too stupid a question??

July 15th, 2004, 06:27 AM	#8
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	Thanks Robert. It's Tokyo I'm shooting in - I'll avoid it, I think.

July 21st, 2004, 04:35 PM	#10
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	thanks for your reply. I'm not going to do it as there is slight risk.

September 16th, 2004, 08:21 AM	#11
Chris Hink New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 24	I've been using sharpies on DV tapes since the VX1000 came out. I've never had a problem.