DV tapes but no camera

[lycowarrior]

I've come into some DV tapes that have some home movies recorded on them but I have no DV recorder to assist me in viewing them. Is there anything I can do without having a DV camera?

Thanks

[DVO]

Nope

[rkr1958]

Call a camera shop, someone like Wolf Camera, and see if they can convert them to VHS / DVD.

I had some 8-mm home video from 1961 which they did for me.

For a small amount of video and a one time conversion it's cheaper than buying a camera.

[lycowarrior]

Thanks for the replies.

I kinda figured I was out of luck with no camera. We have a local "media" shop that advertises all the time they can do conversions. I've got about 12 tapes. Figured that route might be expensive. Almost better off to invest in a camera instead of just the conversions.

[makntraks]

I've come into some DV tapes that have some home movies recorded on them but I have no DV recorder to assist me in viewing them. Is there anything I can do without having a DV camera?

Thanks

I have somewhat the same situation and always thought that a piece of hardware that would just "play" tapes of various types, etc would be an excellent idea...

makntraks

[ZippyP.]

They do make DV-VCR's but they're more expensive than a DV camera.

[lycowarrior]

I called the local camera shop. They want $39.95 for the first DV tape and $24.95 for each additional DV tape to put on DVD

[redwudz]

You could rent or barrow a DV camera (With pass through) or a deck if available. You would need a Firewire cable, card and DV codec on your computer, though, to import the videos.

[rkr1958]

I called the local camera shop. They want $39.95 for the first DV tape and $24.95 for each additional DV tape to put on DVD

For 12 tapes that's $314.40 (w/o Tax). In the not so long-run you might be better of investing in a digital camera that can play these tapes. Especially if you have a need for a digital camera. Make sure the camera has firewire so you can transfer them to you PC.

If you PC already has firewire and a DVD write then you're set. If not, they you're looking at these additional expenses if you wish them converted to DVD.

[lycowarrior]

I should invest in a firewire card. I have an iPod and it's a pain updating through USB. the pod can only charge via firewire. needs to be plugged in as well while updating so it can charge. Can also use the iPod to move some files over to my friend's house that has a Mac and some very good video editing software.

I was looking at a Panasonic model available at Circuit City for like $379. my thoughts exactly, Why pay someone to do it and end up with the finished product when i can purchase a camera and have the camera when I'm done processing the tapes.

[FulciLives]

What about one of those rent-a-center places?

Can you rent a DV camera from them?

If you only keep it a short time (a week or just a couple weeks etc.) then it shouldn't be too expensive.

Just a thought ...

- John "FulciLives" Coleman