Videographers use two methods to delete video and audio content from mini DV tapes. One method is called degaussing, which requires a high-energy degaussing machine to subject the tape to an alternating magnetic field. This eliminates all the tape's magnetic information and returns it to its original state. A second method is called "blanking." Blanking a tape is simply recording black over the tape's previous contents. This method takes longer than degaussing and increases the tape's wear, but requires no special equipment.
Instructions
Degaussing
1. Make certain that your degausser is intended for mini DV tapes. Not all degaussers are equally powerful. VHS degaussers, for instance, often produce too weak of a magnetic field to fully erase mini DVs. These machines will simply garble the signal instead of erasing it.
2. Place your mini DV tape in the designated media holder. This holder varies by machine. Some degaussers require you to place the tape on a conveyer belt, others through a slot, and still others inside a tape holder inside the machine. Refer to your user manual before operating your particular degausser.
3. Press the "On" or "Degauss" button on the machine.
4. Flip the tape over once the first degaussing cycle has ended, and reinsert it into the machine. Note that some machines degauss both sides of the tape simultaneously and do not require this step.
5. Remove the degaussed tape from the machine and store it far from strong magnetic currents.
Blanking
6. Insert the mini DV tape into a video camera.
7. Put the lens cap on the camera.
8. Disconnect the microphone or change the camera's audio input to a source that is disconnected. The goal of this step is to eliminate any audio signal from reaching the tape. Taping in a quiet room is not enough, as ambient noise is always present and will be recorded onto the tape.
9. Check your camera's menu options and make sure that the time code is set to record. This step is not strictly necessary to blank the tape, but tapes with pre-recorded time code often function better than tapes without time code.
10. Turn the camera to "VCR" mode and rewind the tape.
11. Turn the camera to "Record" mode and press the "Record" button.
12. Record over the entire mini DV tape. This usually takes one hour.
Tags: mini tape, time code, magnetic field, method called, mini tapes, this step, Turn camera
