Player for digital DV cassette

[TZ03R]

hi all, need some help here.

Personally not into video cameras. My family have this old 1997 Panasonic NV-DS5 video cameras that write onto DV cassette tapes.

Brought it back to Panasonic a few times the past few yrs when it failed to playback (we dont use it to record anymore) but recently was told by Panasonic that the player 'head' needs to be changed and it will set up back at least $600.

We were advised to search for DV tapes player instead that will allow us to upload the videos still on tapes to the PC for easier viewing.

Does anyone knows where to get this player?

Thanks in advance.

 

[palmglove]

Hi,
if it's mini-DV tapes, then you might want to consider getting a cheap mini DV camcorder to playback all your tapes and capture to PC or a DVR. A mini DV playback deck (VTR) is quite expensive (USD 1,000 and above) because they're more for video production use and not for consumer playback use.
I've seen mini DV camcorders go for as low as S$400 in places like harvey norman, courts, best denki etc.

You can view some examples of VTRs here http://www.expandore.biz/product_list.asp?codeid=&catid=19&brandid=all&formatid=all&start=41

Alternatively, you can get your mini DV tapes transfered to DVD by shops or people offering such a service.

 

[jaegersing]

Once in a while Audio House advertise miniDV cams for under $300. Or you could pick up a second hand cam in the classifieds section in Clubsnap.

 

[TZ03R]

yup, it is mini DV tapes.

Thks for all the helpful feedbacks. I guess getting a DV camcorder is the best way forward.

thanks once again

 

[mm63]

Camera rental is another cost-effective way.

 

[jaegersing]

Yes rental could be the most cost-effective way. I suppose it all depends on how many tapes need to be captured. If it is only one or two, best to try and borrow a DV cam from a friend. Rental would be the next option, but if you need to capture tapes over a long period, probably buying a cam would be the cheapest overall. Especially if you can get a second-hand one.

 

[TZ03R]

I have like over 40 tapes over a decade of family travelling to extract.

guess getting a cheap DV camcorder makes more sense in this case.

 

[imac]

Once in a while Audio House advertise miniDV cams for under $300. Or you could pick up a second hand cam in the classifieds section in Clubsnap.

Hi,

I have a Sony HVR-A1U Mini-DV which capture video in HD1080...but the firewire is not working.

Instead of repairing the camera. Can I get an older Mini-DV camcorder(non-HD quality) to transfer HD1080 quality video-clip to PC? Is the quality of video still 1080 after transfered by a non-HD quality camcorder?

 

[mnjohar]

Hi,

I have a Sony HVR-A1U Mini-DV which capture video in HD1080...but the firewire is not working.

Instead of repairing the camera. Can I get an older Mini-DV camcorder(non-HD quality) to transfer HD1080 quality video-clip to PC? Is the quality of video still 1080 after transfered by a non-HD quality camcorder?

It will not work because when u shoot at HD1080 the aspect ratio is 16:9, non HD is SD aspect ratio at 4:3, so you final capture will look squash and elongated. must get transfer from a HD deck or another HDV camera.

Cheers

 

[mnjohar]

yup, it is mini DV tapes.

Thks for all the helpful feedbacks. I guess getting a DV camcorder is the best way forward.

thanks once again

just bemindful that if the recorder head is not used as often, it will get spoil like any other electrical/electronics devices. too much usage of the tape head will also send it to misaligned. just sharing my experience.

 

[jaegersing]

Hi,

I have a Sony HVR-A1U Mini-DV which capture video in HD1080...but the firewire is not working.

Instead of repairing the camera. Can I get an older Mini-DV camcorder(non-HD quality) to transfer HD1080 quality video-clip to PC? Is the quality of video still 1080 after transfered by a non-HD quality camcorder?

It will not work, because HD and SD are using different data format on the tape. The SD cam just cannot read the HDV data at all. Nothing to do with aspect ratio by the way, cos SD format also supports 16:9 aspect ratio.

 

[imac]

It will not work, because HD and SD are using different data format on the tape. The SD cam just cannot read the HDV data at all. Nothing to do with aspect ratio by the way, cos SD format also supports 16:9 aspect ratio.

Thanks for all your replies.

That mean to say, I can never get 1080 clip from the HVR-A1U unless I repair the firewire.

Is there any other cheaper solutions ?

 

[jaegersing]

Thanks for all your replies.

That mean to say, I can never get 1080 clip from the HVR-A1U unless I repair the firewire.

Is there any other cheaper solutions ?

Did you get a quote aready for repairing the firewire? How much was it?

You could try looking for a second-hand HDV cam to use as a capture deck. Something like a Canon HV20 or HV30 may be quite cheap nowadays.

 

[mnjohar]

Did you get a quote aready for repairing the firewire? How much was it?

You could try looking for a second-hand HDV cam to use as a capture deck. Something like a Canon HV20 or HV30 may be quite cheap nowadays.

TS, did u use a Sony tape or another brand of tape? I ask because Sony use a 'wet' tape type which is the emulsion is different from other brand of tapes. I have tried JVC MiniDV tape to record on Sony HDV Z1 but cannot read and come out C22 - tape head dirty, use cleaner. That was the message on my lcd display. Therefore Sony is "fussy" and need to use only Sony tapes. other brands are "dry" tapes.

 

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