What are Mini DV Tapes?
Mini DV tapes are similar to the old fashioned analogue tapes we used to use to record video and such, but are much smaller. In fact, these miniature tapes are about 1/6th the size of a typical analogue tape. But don’t let their small size fool you. These power house mini tapes have much better sound quality than the typical analogue tape, including clearer sound and reduced noise interference. These are the tapes you want to have if you plan on doing a great deal of recording, and are much preferred by professional videographers.
Mini DV Tapes are Extremely Versatile
With mini DV tapes, the actual tape is rolled up inside a plastic case that has a protective covering for keeping dust and debris away from the tape and negatively impacting the sound quality. The tapes are fully magnetized, and you can even customize them with an optional covering of carbon to increase the quality of sound even more. This makes them extremely versatile.
Where can you Buy Mini DV Tapes?
You can get mini DV tapes from such major tape manufacturers as Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Maxell, and other well known brands. You can often find these tapes in electronics stores, but since tape technology is slowly giving way to digital, you may have to do a little searching. If you can’t find any of these tapes in your local area, then you can always go online and look for them. You should have no trouble finding the tapes on such websites as Amazon.com and eBay.
What Type of Tape Should You Buy?
When you’re going to buy a mini DV tape, think about how much recording time you need, because that will impact the type of tape you buy. The tapes themselves come in lengths ranging from half an hour to 83 minutes of recording time, with several increments in between. You can use the extra 3 minutes on the 83 minute tape for trial runs of recording so you can be sure you are getting the shot exactly right. You can use these tapes in compatible camcorders and tape-based video recorders.
Should You Buy in Bulk?
Since mini DV tapes are becoming so hard to find, you may find it beneficial to buy a lot of them at once when you do find them. Fortunately, if you are buying online, this should not be a problem. You can often even get discounts from online stores for buying tapes in bulk. Plus, when you buy a lot at one time, you can be sure that it will be a while before you need to go searching for them again.
Do you need a Mini DV Tape Cleaner?
As with any tape based recording technology, you will need to periodically clean your mini DV camera. You can purchase tape cleaning kits along with the tapes to make this process easier and make your tapes last longer. It’s a smart move if you’re going with tape.