Taping over used tapes when recording with a DV Camera

EoghanMcDowell · Post by **EoghanMcDowell** » 01 Apr 2008 16:49

I used the search function, but couldn't find the answer to my particular question. When using a DV Camera, does it lower the video Quality when you tape over used tapes? Or does the editing software you use degrade the picture when you upload the footage? I really want my videos to look as good as they do in the little screen on the camera when filming, but so far nothing I've done has helped the quality. But i mainly want my first question answered, so if anyone knows about this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 01 Apr 2008 17:42

I've taped over all of my tapes a million times and never noticed a significant change in quality. I don't know the specifics, but it is digital tape, so technically it shouldn't degrade, of course being tape it does wear over time, so you will notice chunkies, especially if you don't use a cleaning tape semi-regularly (I never did and my tapes still lasted, like, 10 tape-overs each at least -- I have about 25 tapes), and especially if you get tape jams... I know Sam Colclough was always against re-taping, but I don't know if it was for quality's sake, or if he just liked to get new tapes.

As for quality, what programs and settings are you using for compression?

EoghanMcDowell · Post by **EoghanMcDowell** » 01 Apr 2008 18:54

Well i use windows movie maker for editing purposes, and when i upload i choose the option "Best Playback for my Computer" I have tried using different upload settings, but nothing so far has given me the result I'm looking for. It might just be my computer, being old. It doesn't have any additions except for some extra ram, but even with that it's still only 512 mgb's. No video card, except for what came with the computer, so that might be a problem, but I'm not sure. Another thing, i upload with USB, does that hamper quality at all?

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 01 Apr 2008 19:31

yes firewire will give you a better data transfer, which will make the quality better.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 01 Apr 2008 21:56

Also, Windows Movie Maker is probably hampering your quality if you are using it for anything other than capture and edit. I had to use WMM for a period because my own computer died on me, and it was very frustrating how terrible everything looked

Also, I didn't bother to keep the originals, I don't think, so I can't even re-encode.

EoghanMcDowell · Post by **EoghanMcDowell** » 01 Apr 2008 22:20

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'm stuck as far as making videos is concerned. For now at least.

King Monkey · Post by **King Monkey** » 02 Apr 2008 06:29

The best thing you could do is get a Firewire card. USB is absolutely terrible and should never be used, even as a last resort.

EoghanMcDowell · Post by **EoghanMcDowell** » 02 Apr 2008 09:40

Ordered a firewire card today, comes with a cable, so I'm gonna test it out as soon as i get it. Thanks again for the info. It'll be interesting to see how this changes video quality, as I'm really used to using USB, so it might be a drastic improvement, at least to me. Hopefully I'll get the card before the weekend, that would be choice.

King Monkey · Post by **King Monkey** » 02 Apr 2008 17:03

The camera definitely has a Firewire port though, right?

EoghanMcDowell · Post by **EoghanMcDowell** » 02 Apr 2008 19:52

positive.