MiniDV tapes de-magnetized - horizontal distortion

[Gizmoxman]

I have about 40 hours of old MiniDV tapes that have been stored close to a speaker and got de-magnetized over time.

The symptoms are as follows: the image is split into 5 horizontal section - 3 (top middle and lower) are good, alternating with 2 distorted sections (between middle and top / and between middle and bottom). The bad sections are not completely erases, just look like a horizontal sync is off (i.e. scrolling diagonal lines across the "bad" horizontal sections). If need be, I can post a sample screen print.

I am new to video conversion/restoration process. However, I am willing to dedicate time and money to this project.

Alternatively, maybe anyone knows of a commercial service that does this kind of recovery.

I appreciate any help.

[guns1inger]

I suspect they are toast. If commercial companies can do this type of recovery, expect to pay a fortune. HDD data recovery is an expense service, and I suspect this would be in the same price range, if at all possible.

[Suds-N-Spuds]

Post a screenshot.
Also post your question with a screenshot on http://forum.doom9.org/.

Some of the folks that hang out on these boards have extensive experience with DV programming and can probably tell from looking at your screenshot how extensive or repairable the damage is.

Also, try your tapes in other cameras -- a different camera might not be as sensitive to the damaged portions of the tapes.