miniDV hell

[MikeHedge]

so...

again I am at the mini DV issue. I thought if I ignored it long enough, it would magically fix itself... =)

any magic idea? I have this exact problem with 3 mini DV tapes. I have tried 4 different cameras.......

Mike

 

[Tim Sutherland]

Did you run a head cleaning tape through it?

If so, you might need to get the heads manually cleaned by a service center. Other than that, I'm not sure there's much you can do that would be worth the cost of the repair, unless you're really fond of shooting miniDV or need it for a specific use.

Tim

 

[dino g]

non-sony tapes in a sony camera or sony tapes in a sony camera that has used a lot of non-sony tapes...put it in the camera that shot it.

 

[ericyoung]

That is almost definitely a video head issue. If you've tried it with 4 cameras and the problem is exactly the same, then it may have been a head alignment issue with the original camera. If you can get hold of that camera, you may be able to play the tapes. If that works you obviously should back up the footage as miniDV cameras are getting hard to buy!

 

[paulherrin]

i think it's an improvement.

sorry, kidding. a little bit. good luck.

 

[David Rasberry]

I have had that problem occasionally when the tape was shot under humid conditions. Also with head clogs caused by humidity. If the tape was recorded that way there is not much help for it. The signal isn't there.

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Gee, I thought DV had gotten much better lately...

But all the above applies:

1. Try the tape in the cam that recorded it
2. Try the tape in same-brand equipment as the camera that recorded it
3. Try the tape in a cam with the same brand as the tape

for all the above:
Run a head-cleaner first.

Geee... Those RRF RAODS are really a hassle....

 

[Todd T]

Some mini-DV cameras had an "extended record time" feature that let you record 90 minutes on a 60 minute tape (similar to VHS recorders) the tape runs at a slower speed thus causing the helical scan track to be placed closer together on the tape.

This will cause problems in a mini-dv deck that does not have this capability as it will have trouble tracking the recorded material. It will skip alternate tracks so you will see black bars on the tracks that are missed.

Try to find a camera that has extended record capability to play the tape back.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Gee, I thought DV had gotten much better lately...

It has.

Mostly by going away.

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

Have you tried kicking it?

Might not fix it, but there's other benefits.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

1. Try the tape in the cam that recorded it
2. Try the tape in same-brand equipment as the camera that recorded it
3. Try the tape in a cam with the same brand as the tape

for all the above:
Run a head-cleaner first.

Yes to all of the above.

The main thing I'd suggest is using the camera that shot the footage without running any head cleaner or anything else first.

Then try the head cleaner.

Now instead of more cameras, what I really recommend is a professional DV deck of some sort. The JVC units are actually best... Sony and Panasonic had too much invested in their slightly different DV varieties to make the best possible DV players.

The issue with mixing different brands of tape has mostly gone away- but old tapes are still out there. (Its a tape lubricant issue.)

Also, you can try Sony Media Services. Its a tiny barely known division that addresses tape and media issues- including some very sticky recovery services. (All too often literally.)

http://www.sonymediaservices.com/

I actually used to do video tape recovery, until I found out how badly Sony was undercutting me, and frankly how much better they were. Then I started recommending Sony and got out of that aspect of the business.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Some mini-DV cameras had an "extended record time" feature that let you record 90 minutes on a 60 minute tape (similar to VHS recorders) the tape runs at a slower speed thus causing the helical scan track to be placed closer together on the tape.

This will cause problems in a mini-dv deck that does not have this capability as it will have trouble tracking the recorded material. It will skip alternate tracks so you will see black bars on the tracks that are missed.

Try to find a camera that has extended record capability to play the tape back.

You are referring to LP mode of MiniDV.

This later became a very common feature on MiniDV cameras.

There were manufacturer incompatibilities until units manufactured around 2003 and later- especially among cameras.

Again ANY MiniDV deck that supports LP mode should play back LP footage properly from any manufacturer.

(Not to be confused with JVC's ProDV variant of HDV which caused different headaches.)

 

[Jannard]

Please try this thread again on DVXuser.

Jim