Hi all.

I just bought my first camcorder, an Elura 100, based on the reviews found (mainly) here. I'm going to take it on a trip to Belgium, Europe, next month, to see my parents, family, and friends. I intend to use a lot of tape!

On our trip we will "visit" 4 different airports, with just as many checkpoints and their (X-ray?) security machines. I'm not worried about the blank tapes; but it's the return trip that I'm a little afraid of.

Does anyone here have any solid experience with tapes and those X-ray (?) machines? Are they harmful to the tapes? Or am I worried about nothing? If it is harmful, what kind of precautions can I take?

I'm going to put the tapes in my carry-on luggage, and I could take them out; but you know they might want to scan them anyway...

Thanks in advance,

Erik

I've had no "tape" problems going through airports. I usually hand carry them with my cameras or put them in my briefcase.

AIRPORT X-RAY SECURITY GUIDELINES FOR MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDINGS - Sony Feb 2003
http://www.taperesources.com/faq_ta...rport_xray.html



Rich

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FireWire Survey

Thanks Rich, good to know and very interesting reading!

Erik

Good article on the subject! Thanks. It does leave the door open that some X-RAYs may harm magnetic tape!

I have always traveled with no fear about my dv tapes or DVDs and have traveled all over Europe, South America, China and Japan in the last couple of years with absolutely no problems. China was the most intensive, as we made 6 internal flights and each time the tapes would be put through X-rays... Still there were no problems. No problems with digital cameras either. I took 1000's of digital pictures that are stored on their flash cards.

I have found on recent flights that security agents are MOST concerned with video cameras. Inspections are more intensive than with computers which they also want out of their cases. Camcorders are observed individually and they also WANT them out of their bags/cases for inspection. They may even try to open them up. I cooperate in every way possible and try to communicate and be the one to open the camera if it is to be opened,

I really don't think that you need to be concerned about the tapes.

Have a good time and take lots of footage!

RAT in Houston, TX

Thanks RAT, that is very good to hear! One less thing to worry about

Erik in Brackettville, TX

We returned from our trip last week; and I have just finished processing all the tapes.

No problems detected; after going through more check points than I can remember...

Erik

Erik, thanks for getting back to us.



Rich

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FireWire Survey

You're welcome, Rich; and thanks to you and everyone else involved for providing this forum.

BTW, I used Sony Premium DVM60-ME tapes.

travel to europe 2-3 times a year, i use a fixed dvd recorder
"DVDs made on this recorder can be played on any DVD player in the World!Code Free PAL/NTSC DVD player and DVD recorderProgressive scan with Firewire (i-link) DV inputRecords to DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, Plays DVD-Video, Video CD, Audio CD, CD-R & CD-RW, and MP3NTSC TV tunerDolby Digital and DTS outputsDual voltage for use World Wide" $ 178.

That way i can share dvd's with friend in europe.

After that i can edit them as i like

My brother went to Europe and shot hi8 years ago. When he returned, all his tapes had been destroyed by those scanners. I found myself in the same boat the very same year. However, when I returned from Europe, my hi8 tapes were unaffected.