bad playback mini DV tape

[izzykatz]

While playing the mini DV I got a bad video, as can be seen from the snapshot.
cam is sony h96, cassette is sony premium 60 min, 3 years old, used a lot.
Is it the tape to blame or head needs cleaning or other reason?
Izzy

[jagabo]

Any chance you have a PAL vs NTSC problem?

[fitch.j]

Thats dirt i believe, could be either on the tape or the head. Try running a cleaner through it and try it again. If it happens in the same place all the time with that tape, and not with others, then it'll be the tape and really theres nothing much you can do about it :/

I'd always recomend using a new tape every time rather than re-use old ones. However i understand this isn't always viable, you just have to realise that it is tape after all, and it doesnt work forever.

[minidv2dvd]

there are 2 heads on a rotating drum in a miniDV cam. one of yours is or was clogged at the time of recording or playback. sparingly use a head cleaning tape.

try to always use the same brand and model of tape. the possibility of mixing dry lube with wet lube may create a gummy mess on the heads.

[izzykatz]

Thanks all,
It is not PAL/NTSC, because it is on a part of the tape.
I'll try the cleaner and hope this is it.

Thanks again

Izzy