travel with DV tapes
Feb 7, 2008, 11:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 82
travel with DV tapes
I'm going to be flying with DV tapes pretty soon and I'm worried about transporting the tapes through security. Any advice on whether the xray machines will affect the tape content?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Feb 7, 2008, 11:58 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
As a rule, magnetic tapes are not effected by x-ray scanning. However, some older third-world airports may have poorly-shielded conveyor belts, the motors of which generate a sufficient magnetic field to cause problems. That said, I've been traveling with miniDV tapes for 6 or 7 years, all over the world (including through third-world airports) and, in some instances, have had the tapes scanned multiple times on a single trip. I've never once had a problem.
Feb 7, 2008, 1:04 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
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I have travelled with our DV camcorder in my carryon (with a DV tape in it and an extra loose) many times and never had problems - US/Europe/Asia/Australia.
Feb 7, 2008, 1:35 pm
#5
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There is absolutely no point in buying a lead-lined bag which will shield x-rays, but is non-ferrous and will not block electromagentic radiation, i.e. the emf from motors on the scanner. Lead bags are useful with film, which is sensitive to x-ray radiation. Magnetic tape is not.
Feb 7, 2008, 1:40 pm
#6
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Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
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On second thought, I'm not sure whether lead will shield emf -- it might. It (an emf shield) is still an unnecessary precaution unless you're flying through backwards airports with ancient scanning equipment. It certainly isn't necessary anywhere in North America or Europe or most of Asia.
Feb 7, 2008, 8:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
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I carry tapes inside or outside a camera just about every time I fly, and have never had one affected by the x-ray at the terminal checkpoint. I'm assuming you're going to carry on your video gear and not check it.
Feb 8, 2008, 6:24 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MSP
Posts: 240
The bag that I own has lead impregnated in a metal mesh. Hence, I would argue that since the "holes" in the mesh should be smaller than the wavelength of the wave (on the order of 1.0 nm or less for the radiation in question), the mesh is quickly saturated by the B flux and the tape is not significantly affected. Q.E.D.