mini DV tapes from one camcorder to another

[cawesjmu]

Hi folks.
I thought this was going to be easy but it's turning into a headache.
I recorded some video on a Panasonic NV-GS5 video camera which is a friends. Instead of taking the camera, I thought I'd just borrow the tape and import the video on my computer with my Canon ZR-100 as they are both mini DV camcorders.

The tape fits and works, but the video looks all scrambled. I can tell what it is, only because I was there, as it plays but it's not actually watchable; and it has no audio. What's the issue? Thanks for any help.

 

[notjustjay]

Dirty heads? Misaligned heads? Anything with moving parts might be prone to error, but it's supposed to work. The fact that it doesn't means something is definitely wrong with either your camera or your friend's. Have you tried a third DV camcorder to see if it plays? If it does, then your camera may be out of adjustment or needs a head cleaning. If it doesn't, then it's an issue with your friend's camera, and the best bet would probably be to borrow the camera that recorded the tape, play it back and make a copy onto another camera. Using the Firewire connection, the copy will be 100% bit-perfect, so there's no worries about generational loss.

 

[lag1090]

Different brands/models of cameras have variations in head positioning, making it difficult, if not impossible, for certain tapes to be read by certain cameras.

This is why some MiniDV VTRs have adjustable head tracking. It's a known issue with the MiniDV format.

 

[cawesjmu]

Hm, okay thanks for the replies. That seems like a pain you can't use the same tape in two different cameras. Annoying. I tried recording on that same tape with my camera and that piece is visible just fine which I think confirms the slightly differently aligned heads rather than something being wrong with either camera. Thanks again, I'll get the friends camera again and download it.