I have an odd problem with a Hi8 camera

[jimno]

Hi. I am converting my family's memories onto my computer. I bought a used Sony CCD-TR400 Hi8 Handycam. Everything was working fine. (I am also using Elgato video capture into my iMac.) I came across a tape that seemed to have nothing on it. Then another. Sometimes they play just a blank, black screen, other times snowy static. But the timecode is moving so I know somethings there. After a third one, I thought something was wrong, so I went back to one of the tapes I had successfully transferred. (I transferred five but have 13 more to go.) That one didn't play, again, just snow. Or black. Even though it had already played it.


So, I put in a new tape in the camera and recorded with it. And played it back. Everything seems fine.


Well, of the tapes that I had already transferred, only the LAST one I successfully did will not play back.


However, none of my yet to be done 13 will play, either.


I can't believe they are all bad or in any way corrupted, but if that tape caused an issue with the camera, how can that record and play. Or play the other 4 tapes that I transferred already?


BTW, I did try to re-set the camera to its factory default with advice from a Sony tech. Nothin'.


Any ideas on what's going on? Solutions? Help! (I can't afford to pay to have 13 tapes transferred.)

[zoobie]

Can you try another cam with the problem tapes - perhaps at a used camera store?

[jimno]

I am seeking one out.