With a miniDV camera do you have to change the cassette tape?

Question

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Answer 1

to get a very good video quality, as much as possible (if w/in budget), don't re-use tape. change to new casette. If squeezed, at most 3 recordings.

Answer 2

My recommendation is YES you should change the tape.  Tape is a great "archive medium" meaning that it will last a long time and preserve your movies for many years and decades.  You could record on the tape, copy it to your PC, then record over the tape again.  But then your movie is only on the hard drive, or a DVD if you bother to burn one.  And hard drives and DVD's both have a shorter life than a DV tape.  The tapes aren't very expensive.  You should label each one with the dates, and some of what is on them, and store in a temperature/humidity controlled room.  (not the attic or garage.)