Mini DV Playback

[MaxxFusion]

I need to transfer my old mini dv tapes to my computer. I bought a Canon ZR100 from ebay to use for this project. The guy i bought it from just used it to do the same thing.

When i got the camera the playback isnt working 100%. Attaching a pic below. I have tried several of my tapes with the same issue.

Could it be a compatibility issue? I think my old camera used was a Sony but not sure. I cant remember that far back. I thought any mini dv camcorder would work and wouldnt be brand specific.

Any thoughts?


[Attachment 90039 - Click to enlarge]

[aedipuss]

from the look of the playback it appears the tape may be ok, but the heads on the playback cam are not set the same as the heads were on the recording cam. i'd sell it on and try to buy another one that might be closer in alignment.

[pchan]

I am also doing the tape transfer again after my hard disk crashed. I was having horizontal noise and using a miniDV head cleaning tape for about 10 seconds fixed the problem. As for your case, try connecting your miniDV camcorder to your PC and see whether your video capture app is showing the same thing as the camcorder LCD. If yes, then high chance that the head is dirty. Get a miniDV head cleaner tape and run it for 10 seconds and check if the noise goes away. Repeat until it's fixed. If the capture app monitor picture is OK, then try capture a video segment and play it back. If the captured video is OK then it's a electrical issue with the LCD display. Repair option is limited since miniDV camcorder is obsolete. Just transfer your tape while the capture video is running fine.

[MaxxFusion]

I am also doing the tape transfer again after my hard disk crashed. I was having horizontal noise and using a miniDV head cleaning tape for about 10 seconds fixed the problem. As for your case, try connecting your miniDV camcorder to your PC and see whether your video capture app is showing the same thing as the camcorder LCD. If yes, then high chance that the head is dirty. Get a miniDV head cleaner tape and run it for 10 seconds and check if the noise goes away. Repeat until it's fixed. If the capture app monitor picture is OK, then try capture a video segment and play it back. If the captured video is OK then it's a electrical issue with the LCD display. Repair option is limited since miniDV camcorder is obsolete. Just transfer your tape while the capture video is running fine.

I will see about getting a cleaning tape to try. I did hook up and tried the capture to see and i see the same results on the capture.

[timtape]

A good cleaning tape is important because the heads will likely clog again. A proper manual clean by a skilled technician is also advised as the cleaning tape cannot properly clean all of the tape path.

[MaxxFusion]

A good cleaning tape is important because the heads will likely clog again. A proper manual clean by a skilled technician is also advised as the cleaning tape cannot properly clean all of the tape path.

When you say good cleaning tape do you have a recommendation? I was going to check on Amazon to find one. Hopefully this can get me through my project to convert my tapes and then i will be done with the camera.

[timtape]

TDK and Panasonic are two companies which made them. Follow the instructions with the tape. To clarify, fouled heads may or may not be the only issue here. All we know is there is no playback.

[clashradio]

A good cleaning tape is important because the heads will likely clog again. A proper manual clean by a skilled technician is also advised as the cleaning tape cannot properly clean all of the tape path.

I looked inside while the cassette door was open and yes, looks almost impossible to do a manual cleaning at home unlike a vcr.