Hope someone can help me with this

I want to transfer about 6-7 hours of analogue tape onto my hard drive for back-up

I have a DV cam with DV-in but I dont want to put it through unnecessary wear and tear by recording all the VHS onto DV tape, then replaying it all to my HD.

The only other option is Studio DC10+ which costs a mint.
I have Studio 7 and it includes the DC10 software, so all I would need is the analogue-digital capture card but I can't find anyone that sells one (minus the software).

I am on a limited budget.

Is there a place where I could hire a DV VCR or capture card?


Thanks in advance.

Can't give you an answer - but is 8-9 hours going to add too much wear and tear to your camera?
I've had a Sony PC100E for 3 years now and must have shot 20 hours of tape and replayed it all at least twice.
I don't think it's a problem (although I don't know how long these things will last though......)

[Dubbing Mixer]

If the camera won't do a direct conversion, I.e. analogue in to DV out, then consider a Canopus converter.

I've got a PC100E also. Just coming up to 2 years.

Year one filmed about 6 hours of footage. year 2 another 4 hours or so.

now onto our third holiday. bought 2 more tapes and it wont play anything. just pixelates and gives up.

havent got around to transfer to hdd yet so the play heads have hardly been used - just watched the tapes plugged into TV

it records OK I laid down a timeline onto the two new tapes and they play back on another dv camera.

[Dubbing Mixer]

Are you using Long Play mode? Have you tried using a head cleaning tape?

no long play - just sp.

I asked about cleaning tapes but just got blank looks. I'll try again if they are available.

I know it records so I'm still going to take it on holiday.

[Dubbing Mixer]

It is well worth trying the cleaning tape. Around the time you bought the camera there were issues about incompatible tape lubricants between brands. So far as I am aware this has now been solved, by one manufacturer changing their lubricant to the same one everybody else uses, but it is more than possible that three year old tapes may have this problem. If the cleaning tape doesn't work, the camera may need a full clean by a technician.

Originally posted by Dubbing Mixer
Are you using Long Play mode? Have you tried using a head cleaning tape?

Well sent 'er indoors to Dixons - and the muppets tried to sell her a blank tape.

I can't find DV head cleaner tapes only VHS/VHS-C/8mm

any ideas where to go (only clean suggestions please!). I'm popping into Jessops on Saurday

[Dubbing Mixer]

Jessops should certainly have them. In an ideal world, get the same make as the camera. If you can't, then get what you can.
I'm pretty surprised Dixon's don't stock them, unless the muppet just didn't know where to look...8-)

I think its the latter :-)

[gringottsdirect]

Good advice about not worrying about wearing out the camcorder. Service departments are often greeted with the " I hardly ever use it" ....
Camcorders suffer dry joints and assorted maladies through lack of use more than excessive use.