Can't get LP miniDV tapes to play after recording!

[oldbuck]

I recently recorded 3 miniDV tapes in LP mode - 1 was recorded on a Sony HC32, 2 on a Sony TRV20.

One of the tapes that was recorded on the trv20 plays fine on either of the camcorders, while the other trv20 tape, and the HC32 tape, will not play on either camcorder.

I can hear the audio playing on both tapes, but no video is displayed in the camcorder LCD - only a gray screen.

I noticed that the camcorder displays 'SP' when trying to play the tapes.

Is there anything I can do to get the video to play or have I lost this one-time sports event?

thanks for your help!
-old

[edDV]

LP uses narrow tracks and is likely to have problems playing back on a different physical camcorder or on the same camcorder as alignment drifts over time over time. LP should be considered and emergency solution and should be dubbed quickly from the same camcorder that recorded it.

As for recovering what you have, a good camcorder tech can adjust your camcorder (non-standard) to play it. Negotiate a deal where he adjusts it to dub that tape (miss-adjust) and then aligns it to standard.

Life lesson. Don't use LP in the future unless you download it to the computer quickly from the same camcorder.

[oldbuck]

Thanks edDV - I always knew that there were issues where I needed to use the same camcorder to play the LP tape that recorded it, but didn't realize the alignment was so critical.

Both camcorders have taken a lot of abuse as they ride in vehicles, but I need 2 hours of capture (event duration) between tape changes - hence my use of LP - any siggestions? I guess I can use two camcorders and switch a 2nd on halfway through, but that's not a pretty solution.... thought I had it solved with the LP mode.

Any suggestions where I can find a good camcorder tech to align the camcorder to play? I don't know where to start on this one...

thanks again,
-old