Is it Ok to keep the Minidv cassette in the camcorder?
 

Hi,
Can we just keep the mini dv cassete in the camcorder after removing the battery?

Whether it affect the heads, I mean the cassette tape is in constant touch with the head ?

Or when the power is off, the tape head goes away from the tape. I have panasonic gs 100, your suggestion is welcome.

I don't see in any harm with leaving a tape in for a couple of days or so. For long term, remove it and place it in the tape case. As for the battery, they can drain, or worse, leak. That's why you should always remove the battery after cam use.

Thanks Frank

I've been told that it's a no no. I was also told I'd go blind if I didn't stop. I can still see.

If you search, you'll find several discussions on this topic. My feeling is, it not worth the risk. I've seen tapes with slack in them get eaten by the camera, and worse yet, break video heads. Does it happen every time? No. But for me, it's not worth the risk. So, it boils down to how comfortable you are with those risks. Some people find the risks tolerable, some don't.

Depending on the camera, the tape extraction arms (the ones that wrap the tape around the head) may be held in their extended postion and the tape kept in a wrapped condition.

It is not good to keep a spring extended for long periods as the tension will change.

Keeping the tape in contact with a head could be a real problem especially if the camera is subject to any humidity.

My buddy who is a QA lab tech at Sony in San Jose claims that leaving tapes in a transport is a bad idea.

Not a good idea.

I say not a good idea.

I have done it on a number of occasions. Where I have left a tape in my XL1 for a few days, I then try and eject, but it won't let me. I then start to panic and after the 3rd try it finally lets me have it, but 15cm of the tape is hanging out of the case, part of the tape is now screwed - Thank god it has not happened on important tapes.

DO NOT LEAVE TAPES IN YOUR CAMERA!!!

All the best,

Ed