Fomatting DV tapes

video_new · Post by **video_new** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:10 am

Just received hard copy of manual for VideoStudio 9. Appendix E, Tips and Techniques, suggests formatting DV tapes before shooting video. Please clarify for a novice.

gordon_fan_24 · Post by **gordon_fan_24** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:41 am

basically it means that you should "black" a tape, by recording no picture. This is to ensure a continuous timecode on the tape. It can be done, by simply hitting record with the lens cap on (thats what I do)

rboucher · Post by **rboucher** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:17 pm

Won't this create more wear & tear on the tape and shorten its life?

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:41 pm

Blanking a tape before shooting will will wear out the tape transport mechanism and heads 50% faster than if you just record and capture the tape. It is not necessary. Moreover, many camorders will no longer be able to position the tape to the last recorded frame, which is the way to ensure a continuous timecode after playing back a section of the tape.