Need help - Mini-DV tape with recorded data won't play

[roberths]

Hello,

I filmed an event with my Canon GL-2 and a new Sony mini-DV tape. When I got to the workstation to import the video to my Mac the tape does not play. All that I see is a single frame image with a sliver of moving image on the far right.

When I first inserted the tape, I was rushing around and didn't see a message that the GL-2 informed me to remove the tape. I remember hearing a BEEP, but since I was doing other things I didn't notice the message. Since the tape wasn't working I tried another tape and it worked fine. I put the original damaged tape in and then heard the BEEP and saw the message telling me to "Eject Tape" in red text.

Has this happened to anyone out there? If so, is there a fix so I can get the digital video off of the tape? I opened the tape up to see if there are any problem areas. I did see an area of crinkled tape. The recording was a full hour so I am not sure if the header got damaged the data could be recovered. I am not an expert on the data structure on mini-DV tapes.

Finally, are there any repair places on the Internet that can retrieve data from mini-DV tapes? I haven't found any yet.

Thank you so very much in advance for your help!

Rob

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by roberths

Hello,

I filmed an event with my Canon GL-2 and a new Sony mini-DV tape. When I got to the workstation to import the video to my Mac the tape does not play. All that I see is a single frame image with a sliver of moving image on the far right.

When I first inserted the tape, I was rushing around and didn't see a message that the GL-2 informed me to remove the tape. I remember hearing a BEEP, but since I was doing other things I didn't notice the message. Since the tape wasn't working I tried another tape and it worked fine. I put the original damaged tape in and then heard the BEEP and saw the message telling me to "Eject Tape" in red text.

Has this happened to anyone out there? If so, is there a fix so I can get the digital video off of the tape? I opened the tape up to see if there are any problem areas. I did see an area of crinkled tape. The recording was a full hour so I am not sure if the header got damaged the data could be recovered. I am not an expert on the data structure on mini-DV tapes.

Finally, are there any repair places on the Internet that can retrieve data from mini-DV tapes? I haven't found any yet.

Thank you so very much in advance for your help!

Rob

the GL-2 is the us version of the XM-2 I presume it is a us version or are you in the us ,i would not use the tape if it is damaged[ you can get them repaired if important footage is on them]

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/prod.../XM2/index.asp

http://bingocameras.com/shop/product...roducts_id=108

[roberths]

Thanks for the info. I should have been more clear in my final line. The GL-2 is working fine. It is the tape that I have a problem with that I just can't seem to play the footage. I have tried it in a mini-DV deck, as well as another camera. I am looking for a place to repair the tape so I can retrieve the hour of recorded footage.

Thanks,
Rob

[senu]

Originally Posted by roberths

Thanks for the info. I should have been more clear in my final line. The GL-2 is working fine. It is the tape that I have a problem with that I just can't seem to play the footage. I have tried it in a mini-DV deck, as well as another camera. I am looking for a place to repair the tape so I can retrieve the hour of recorded footage.

Thanks,
Rob

Wh do you think there is actual data on the tape
Isnt it possible there is nothing recorded on the tape.?although meta date ( time stamp is written onto it I believe the actual data is incremental ( almost like analogue tape) even though the format is digital
If youve tried different players and there is no playback perhaps it is because there is nothing on it

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by roberths

Thanks for the info. I should have been more clear in my final line. The GL-2 is working fine. It is the tape that I have a problem with that I just can't seem to play the footage. I have tried it in a mini-DV deck, as well as another camera. I am looking for a place to repair the tape so I can retrieve the hour of recorded footage.

Thanks,
Rob

Video tape repairs and restoration to DVD - Audio tape repair and remstered to CD
There are other places as well if you need.

[senu]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

Video tape repairs and restoration to DVD - Audio tape repair and remstered to CD
There are other places as well if you need.

Im a little confused .Isit that the tape has a mechanical( or transport) fault or the OP simply cannot get to see what is ( for all intents and purposes) recorded onto it

[chrishull3]

The way i read it he clearly says its a problem with a certain tape [may be wrong]

[senu]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

The way i read it he clearly says its a problem with a certain tape [may be wrong]

Yes but I dont get the impression the tape is mechanically damaged. It seems the OP recorded and cannot view footage off that paticular tape
It seems that tape ( at a magnetic level) is faulty but it is possible that in being so there is no actual data on it to recover despite going through the motions
Even crinkly tapes play back ( especialy digital) as the error correction is superior to analogue tape

[chrishull3]

If it does not play in another machine there may not be anything on it, if what he was recording is important only a repair centre can then check it i have heard of tapes not playing back on any machine but having recording on it, nice to know the result.