Pre-recording DV tapes

[Lobey]

I remember reading here a while back that you should always run new DV tapes through your camcorder before using them in the parks. The only thing is I can't remember why...can anyone remind me?

 

[wicket2005]

I read that too, unfortunately, cannot remember why also. However, I have used mini dv tapes the last two years in Orlando and indeed at home and have never bothered to do that, the tapes have always been fine. Stick your question in Google, you will probably find an answer there.

 

[Neoshoegal]

This coming from a videographer, you "don't" have to blank a tape (to record just black on it)
It records a continuous time code onto the tape, which is important when you want to batch capture things onto your computer. If you don't blank them, what can happen is that the times you take the tape out of the camera/switch it on and off, ... the time code can be interupted. Result: if you want to capture the footage onto your computer into different parts (eg minute 1 to 5 and then minute 7 to 15, ...) it will "flip" on it.
Hope that makes sense to you