Help with Hi8 playback

[johnhudson922]

Hello,

I have a large number of 5-15 yr old 8mm and hi8mm tapes that I would like to convert to dvd.

The original cameras that were used to create these tapes have long died, so I purchased a used Sony Hi8 mm camcorder (TRV-138) in order to play back the tapes so that I can convert them to DVD.

My problem is that a large number of the tapes that I have appear to be unplayable. The appear to contain static or fuzz, and whatever content was on them has either been erased or is not playing correctly.

Now this camcorder is practically brand new, and can play back some tapes perfectly fine.

I'm not positive, but it seems that Fujifilm tapes aren't playing back correctly, but I'm not sure if it is all fujifilm tapes or not, I will try to see if that is the case.

My questions are, are there any issues with this camcorder playing back tapes from other manufacturers? Is there any way for a hi8 or 8mm tape to have its content erased?

Thank you for any help you can provide!

[unclebud]

Is there a tracking control on the hi8 vid cam. VHS decks used to have manual tracking to align the tape.

Motors and magnets destroy taped recordings and is not reversible.

[zoobie]

only issues between tapes are lubricant related
no tracking control except on some decks
tape head may have been dirty on the previous cam

[johnhudson922]

I don't believe there is any tracking control on the camera.

I've confirmed that it is probably not related to the make of the tape as there are multiple kinds that do not work.

Is it possible a magnet erased the content from the tape? Is there anything I can do? There are many important things on these tapes

[lordsmurf]

I had somebody send me tapes last month, with the same problem being described.

The problem is the camera.
Most of them available on eBay/etc are abused and in shoddy condition.
(Note: I do not care what condition was stated on the for sale page -- it's often wrong.)

You may do best to send at least one tape to a professional, for analysis.

[oldfart13]

Many years ago a friend sent me a Hi8 portable (Sony EV-C100). It's still working very well after all these years. You might look for one of those on Ebay or Kijiji rather than a camcorder. There is no tracking control on Hi8 units.

[johnhudson922]

I had somebody send me tapes last month, with the same problem being described.

The problem is the camera.
Most of them available on eBay/etc are abused and in shoddy condition.
(Note: I do not care what condition was stated on the for sale page -- it's often wrong.)

You may do best to send at least one tape to a professional, for analysis.

Perhaps, but why would the problem be the camcorder if some tapes I have play back perfectly? I purchased this camera from an individual, and it is practically brand new, hardly used at all.

[johnhudson922]

Many years ago a friend sent me a Hi8 portable (Sony EV-C100). It's still working very well after all these years. You might look for one of those on Ebay or Kijiji rather than a camcorder. There is no tracking control on Hi8 units.

Do you think it is a tracking problem? The static that is displayed is very thick - there is no discernible picture that comes through at all.

[johnhudson922]

Anyone else?

[edDV]

Anyone else?

What was the model number of the original Hi8 camcorder?

[johnhudson922]

I do not know what the model number was. There were multiple cameras over the years, all either gone or far away from where I am right now. The tapes played back at one point, I know that for sure.

[edDV]

I do not know what the model number was. There were multiple cameras over the years, all either gone or far away from where I am right now. The tapes played back at one point, I know that for sure.

I was asking because the camcorder might have been Digital8 format which also records to Hi8 tapes. Hi8 camcorders can't play Digital8 tapes.

[johnhudson922]

I do not know what the model number was. There were multiple cameras over the years, all either gone or far away from where I am right now. The tapes played back at one point, I know that for sure.

I was asking because the camcorder might have been Digital8 format which also records to Hi8 tapes. Hi8 camcorders can't play Digital8 tapes.

No, it was definitely recorded with either hi-8 or regular 8mm

[edDV]

I've got Hi8 tapes going back to the late 1980s and all play with my decks/camcorders. Some show drop-outs but they play.

[johnhudson922]

I've got Hi8 tapes going back to the late 1980s and all play with my decks/camcorders. Some show drop-outs but they play.

Do you have any idea what might erase the tape and if there's any way to get it back? or is it just the camcorder i'm using for playback? or the kind of tapes??

[zoobie]

It's magnetic tape so any magnets/electrical fields will erase it. That's how a bulk tape eraser works.
My brother came back from Timbuktu and went thru airport metal detectors that use magnetic fields to find large metal objects. It also erased his Hi8 tapes.
Unfortunately, once it's gone, there's no way to bring it back - just like the missing 18 minutes of the Nixon audio tapes.
Call around your local used camera/pawn shops for a Hi8 camera then take some tapes and double-check them.

[edDV]

Yes, next step is to try another camcorder.

[johnhudson922]

I have some more tapes that I am going to attempt to see if they play back. I will also seek out a place where I can attempt to see if a professional can play the tapes. Do any of you guys know of any places in Columbus, OH?

Thanks

[Event3horizon]

It's not erased it's just that sony has it's own hi8 format (digital8) and won't read standard analog hi/8mm

[juhok]

Event3horizon go read some wiki, all 8 formats are by Sony.

Over the years I've got many clients where their recorder camera was misaligned. Auto or manual tracking was not enough to fix the error. For this purpose I got a Hi8 deck which will be physically calibrated to the tape by adjusting the guide poles. I've managed to rescue every such tape so far. Maybe that's the case here - symptoms sound familiar. Some tapes are ok, then over the years aligment has shifted.

It's not something you should be trying yourself without any experience with adjusting/repairing VCR hardware. Wrong adjustment might destroy part of the tape ("eat it"). And it's usually more difficult to do with cameras than big decks. I doubt that many corner shops would do this. When asking for transfer, ask if they can diagnose and fix tapes made with bad camera aligment.