dv tape woes..

Author
Discussion

stolt

Original Poster:

420 posts

185 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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hi all, wondering if anyone can offer advice other than what ive researched so far.

ive got about 40 mini dv tapes from about 10 years ago which i never converted and there of my children of the younger years. they have been stored in a fireproof safe, little bit of mould on them but tapes look fine.
my problem is the original camcorder broke years ago and i seem to remember it being a sony although i owned a canon aswell at some stage.

i think i recorded in LP mode, which i now read was a big no no if you want to playback on other camcorders. obviosuly back then i didnt know that. i borrowed a panasonic camcorder from my dad, only one tape played, the rest didnt which i suspect to be LP mode recordings.

ive heard that sometimes same manufacturers will work, so not sure to take the plunge to buy a second hand camcorder from ebay? ive also seen the dv cam decks which i read were better reading LP mode tapes but other sites say there not and its better getting a old camcorder.

ive contacted a few companies that do the transfers and some have suggested posting one off for them to try.


anyone managed to do it, or have i lose the lot?

thanks
rob

V8Wagon

1,707 posts

159 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
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Can't you just buy a used camcorder the same model that you recorded 'em on?

I'm in the same boat and funnily enough was thinking about it earlier today. I've still got the camcorder but the touch screen doesn't work but I'm sure if I connect it to my PC with a firewire cable it connects and I can operate it using software.

stolt

Original Poster:

420 posts

185 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
I wish it was that easy from what I've been reading even if I could remember the exact model then because it was recorded it LP mode then the tape heads have to be aligned perfectly otherwise playback issues. I'm thinking about just trying my luck and getting a Sony camcorder to try, I was reading sites into the early hours and the decks don't seem to be anymore reliable. I've contacted a few companies to see if I can get lucky. I guess that will mean just sending off tapes to see if they can be converted.

Thanks

troublesbrewing

42 posts

122 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
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You are correct about compatibility issues. I bought a semi-pro JVC miniDV rack recorder and it could not read the tapes from my Sony in either SP or LP mode. A beautiful and expensive for me piece of kit which had to go back. But it did look cool.

Anyhow as the digital archiver in the family, never ever bin your original material.

I have a (dry) cellar room full of original prints, negatives, slides (all various formats), super8, VHS, miniDV, Grundig Video 2000, and documents.

To cut a long story short I have just finished transferring 200+ miniDV tapes to multiple hard disks for archiving and I would be willing to lend you my Sony unit to try out for free. Of course you pay the insured postage there and back. PM me if interested.

stolt

Original Poster:

420 posts

185 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
quotequote all
troublesbrewing said:
You are correct about compatibility issues. I bought a semi-pro JVC miniDV rack recorder and it could not read the tapes from my Sony in either SP or LP mode. A beautiful and expensive for me piece of kit which had to go back. But it did look cool.

Anyhow as the digital archiver in the family, never ever bin your original material.

I have a (dry) cellar room full of original prints, negatives, slides (all various formats), super8, VHS, miniDV, Grundig Video 2000, and documents.

To cut a long story short I have just finished transferring 200+ miniDV tapes to multiple hard disks for archiving and I would be willing to lend you my Sony unit to try out for free. Of course you pay the insured postage there and back. PM me if interested.
wow thanks so much for the generous offer, im kind of astounded if im honest, but really grateful if it could work. would it be easier (i dont want to create more hassle for you) if i send you a tape and if it works i can borrow the deck, unless you think it will work straight away. I borrowed a sony camcorder from someone at work and tried that tonight, i managed to get two tapes playing, some are just blue screens so im not sure if they were recorded with a perhaps a toshiba or cannon camcorder. there are a couple of tapes playing but they are pixelated and have several bands on the screen.

i will pm you

thanks ever so much

troublesbrewing

42 posts

122 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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No problem. All the gear is still setup and connected to one of the computers.

stolt

Original Poster:

420 posts

185 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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Thanks I've sent you a email.