Problem with Canon mini DV Camcorder (model MV830i)

Biscuit761

Distinguished Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2006
Messages
3,310
Reaction score
496
Points
1,061
Hi, I am a regular on the photographic forum but a good friend of mine has a problem with his Canon mini DV Camcorder (model MV830i), I will let him explain it ..

"I have an aged Canon mini DV Camcorder (model MV830i) and had no problems taking footage and playing it back whilst out there, but on return I'm getting thick horizontal lines on the playback and therefore on the computer so editing is impossible. I've googled a Canon specialist helpline (American) and they've been very helpful in analyzing the problem (clogged and mis-aligned tape heads) but can only suggest an expensive repair and a replacement machine. I intended to replace the machine anyway but as the footage is of our very special holiday I want to get it off somehow. I've put other tapes in the machine and all have the same lines so at least I know there's not a problem with the tape.

Here's the latest reply:

OK... since the video is bad in pause.... I am thinking that you have an tape guide alignment problem. What happens is that there are 2 tape guides that pull the DV tape out of the tape cartridge and wrap the video tape around the rotating video head cylinder. You still could have clogged video heads but you could also have a defective tape guide.... the tape guide could be loose and has changed it's height and/or the tape guide linkage might not be moving the tape guide into it's fully loaded position.... around the rotating head cylinder.... thus the tape is not in alignment... and will play back with horizontal lines and can affect the audio playback too. You can call a camcorder repair business and ask them if they can give you an idea what a head cleaning and/or tape guide repair or tape guide alignment would cost. My guess would be from $75.00-$150.00 range. Otherwise... replace your camcorder"


He is only interested in getting the results of this one tape onto his computer and will then buy another video camera.

Will any other mini DV camcorder play (and therefore let him upload) his tape or does it have to be a similar model ?

Or if there are any other solutions he would be very pleased to hear of them.

Thank you

Bill
 
...
Will any other mini DV camcorder play (and therefore let him upload) his tape or does it have to be a similar model ?
...

Thank you

Bill

The great beauty of the Mini DV standard is that tapes recorded at SP (~60 mins/cassette) can be played back on other machines. LP (~90 mins/cassette) recordings may have problems.

In my own case, I bought a Canon XM2 and soon after purchase, the (used) camera lost its Firewire port, so I bought the cheapest Sony Mini DV camcorder I could find, an HC18, and this is dedicated to replaying my XM2 tapes into my computer. Although the HC18 is too lowly a model to have native wide-screen filming, it passes the wide-screen data correctly from my XM2 to my computer. It also does a good job with video filmed on a Panasonic camcorder.
 
I'd suggest trying a head cleaning cassette as this banding over the video on playback is classic of dirty heads.
If the heads are out of alignment the recorded media will not be playable on a correctly aligned cam.
 

The latest video from AVForums

TV Buying Guide - Which TV Is Best For You?
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom