Sony DVCAM Tape-How Many Times To Use at DVinfo.net

Al Kozak · February 9th, 2007, 08:03 PM

I'm using the Sony DVCAM 40 tape for weddings. How many times should I record on them before I discard them? I'm currently using them 2 times and recording over them in between. Thanks!!

Don Donatello · February 10th, 2007, 01:38 PM

IMO if you are getting PAID to shoot weddings then you charge client for NEW tape = use tape ONE time for paid jobs
...re-use it on non paying jobs or vacations ...

i usually start to notice drop-outs around 3rd re-use of tape

David Tamés · February 10th, 2007, 09:01 PM

Reusing DV tapes for "client work" is penny wise and pound foolish. I have never done it, the risk of drop-outs is simply not worth it. Tape is cheaper than business development and reputation repair. Do a search and you'll find lots of discussion of this issue in other threads. The bottom line: you are taking a risk. In my opinion, DV (mostly) and DVCAM (somewhat) are write once, capture once, and then archive on the shelf type media.

Al Kozak · February 11th, 2007, 12:09 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll start using the tapes once. Also, on a new tape do you record over it before you use it to create a blank timeline?

One other question. Using close to $100 worth of tapes per wedding would it be better to use a hard disk recorder (DTE)? Thanks.

February 9th, 2007, 08:03 PM	#1
Al Kozak Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 40	Sony DVCAM Tape-How Many Times To Use I'm using the Sony DVCAM 40 tape for weddings. How many times should I record on them before I discard them? I'm currently using them 2 times and recording over them in between. Thanks!!

February 10th, 2007, 09:01 PM	#3
David Tamés Kino-Eye Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 457	Reusing DV tapes for "client work" is penny wise and pound foolish. I have never done it, the risk of drop-outs is simply not worth it. Tape is cheaper than business development and reputation repair. Do a search and you'll find lots of discussion of this issue in other threads. The bottom line: you are taking a risk. In my opinion, DV (mostly) and DVCAM (somewhat) are write once, capture once, and then archive on the shelf type media. __________________ David Tames { blog: http://Kino-Eye.com twitter: @cinemakinoeye }

February 10th, 2007, 01:38 PM	#2
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	IMO if you are getting PAID to shoot weddings then you charge client for NEW tape = use tape ONE time for paid jobs ...re-use it on non paying jobs or vacations ... i usually start to notice drop-outs around 3rd re-use of tape

February 11th, 2007, 12:09 PM	#4
Al Kozak Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 40	Thanks for the info. I'll start using the tapes once. Also, on a new tape do you record over it before you use it to create a blank timeline? One other question. Using close to $100 worth of tapes per wedding would it be better to use a hard disk recorder (DTE)? Thanks.