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 Repair option is limited since miniDV camcorder is obsolete.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.