i'm in the process of ripping all my tapes onto an external hdd to watch them via my ps3....managed to get them as avi and converting them to divx..to get from an hours footage of 12gb to around 700mb..without too much loss in quality.

now heres the problem...after about tape 4 i noticed the tap was replaying very pixelated..not to worry me thinks....the heads need cleaning...go down to local camera shop and buy a minidv head cleaner...pop it into the camcorder...which then has a hissy fit..throws up a C33 error code and ejects the tape...when i retrieve it i notice that its pulled the tape from the casssette..i carefully retrieve the tape intact and wind it back in...now the camcorder will not retract the cassette holder back into the main body...just beeps twice and opens the door..ive tried resetting/turning power off etc..has anyone else come along a similar problem?

the camcorder is at least 5 yrs old..and tbh after i had rippped the tapes onto hdd..i would probably never use it again..i now have a sony sr12e..although my sister did have her eyes on it for a donation!...is it worth getting it fixed..or as you can get a samsung minidv recorder for 120 quid...would you consider getting one of these for the transferral?

another question..i also have about 8 tapes from a Hi-8 camcorder...and can still get the use of it..which is the best way to get them onto a hdd?

[senu]

Get a cheap miniDV camcorder.. which ever brand

For Hi- 8 It would depend how much you wish to spend and how precious the footage is ( I have perhaps a few more than yourself but I also have Digital 8 camcorder which digitises them internally for PC capture via firewire. Sony dont make those anymore: handy if you can get one though

I would suggest you ( to simplyfy things) record them via the camcorder 9 perhaps using S-video) to a setop DVD recorder, make DVD video discsk and copy these to you HDD
Settop DVD recorders arent overly expensive and are hassle free compared to using the PC method...
If you must use your PC directly, There are cheap ( and not cheerful devices) you can use to transfer to PC ( I saw a few in Maplins the other day)
Thankfully there are also There are " midrange" products ( Like the Dazzle seriess) Also available at Maplins/ PC world
and there are Very good ADVC type kit ( I linked the very cheapest)

many thanks..i do have a friend who has a digi-8 camcorder...so is this right..my hi-8 tapes will fit and i could transfer theses straight to the pc?

[senu]

Originally Posted by dazzarooney

many thanks..i do have a friend who has a digi-8 camcorder...so is this right..my hi-8 tapes will fit and i could transfer theses straight to the pc?

Worth a try . They will fit anyway but the latter models did all not have that backwards capability ( electronic) but those which do are great for capturing hi-8 to PC digitally