Mini-DV audio cutting out

[sonicdeth]

I have this problem with a couple Mini-DV tapes that I had. I had 1 guy that runs a store that does transfers that did a transfer to DVD for me and I didn't realize until watching it that in many spots the audio cuts out. So, I brought the same tapes to another guy who transferred them for me and the same thing was happening when I played back the DVD, BUT I think that it's maybe a stereo/mono issue because there were parts in the 1st guy's transfers that were fine, but the next guy that did the same transfer the same spots were screwed up with the audio cutting in and out. So in other words, the parts where the audio cut in and out were not consistent with both of the transfers from these guys, which leaves me to believe that there is still hope for a good transfer of these Mini-DV tapes. This is VERY important video footage if anyone can give me a tip on what it might be, that would be great. I'm even willing to spend some bucks to send it out to a bigger, more experienced place that does transfers if they can get the job done right. Hope you guys can help me.

[turk690]

It's not unusual for audio to cut in & out when playing back a DV tape if either: 1) it was recorded in LP mode; and/or 2) it's being played back in equipment that didn't originally record it. Even professional equipment is not completely immune from this. The best situation would be 1) record in SP mode for critical tapes; 2) use the same camcorder that recorded it to play it back. If you still have that camcorder that recorded it, you can arrange for it to be used while playing back the tape and ultimate transfer to DVD. But why do you have to let someone else transfer? You can peruse this site and try it out for yourself and chances are you could in the future be doing it better than any of those guys you entrusted your tapes to.

[sonicdeth]

It's not unusual for audio to cut in & out when playing back a DV tape if either: 1) it was recorded in LP mode; and/or 2) it's being played back in equipment that didn't originally record it. Even professional equipment is not completely immune from this. The best situation would be 1) record in SP mode for critical tapes; 2) use the same camcorder that recorded it to play it back. If you still have that camcorder that recorded it, you can arrange for it to be used while playing back the tape and ultimate transfer to DVD. But why do you have to let someone else transfer? You can peruse this site and try it out for yourself and chances are you could in the future be doing it better than any of those guys you entrusted your tapes to.

First I want to thank you so much for the quick reply! Also, the only reason that I got someone to transfer it for me is because I didn't have anything to play the tapes back on to do the transfer, otherwise I would have done it myself! So, do you think that since the audio drop outs aren't the same in the 2 transfers (in the 1 transfer audio is ok in a certain spot, where the other guys transfer the audio cuts in and out) that I CAN actually transfer these successfully? So my best option on a successful transfer is to seek out the camcorder that recorded it? This footage is so important that I'd be willing to seek out a good deal on the camera on ebay. I got the tapes from a friend who doesn't live near me. Yeah this forum sounds a lot better, the guy that just gave me tapes back is kind of a jerk-off, saying "I can't spend anymore time on this."