HELP! Hi8 tape related! cant play Hi8 MP XR Metal tape in camera

Question

HELP! Hi8 tape related! cant play Hi8 MP XR Metal tape in camera

Friends of the best forum in town -

Im trying to get footage off of Maxell Hi8 MP XR Metal tape, using a SONY Video8 TRV15 Handycam. When i play the tape, there is nothing but static and snow, looks like no control track, but was told there is definitely footage on the tape that someone has watched before!? when playing the tape, LP is displayed and when stopped SP is displayed. dont know if that info will help, but...
I even recorded a second or two of footage with the same tape in the same camera, and that played back fine.
HELP!

Powerbook G4 1.5 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Aug 14, 2006 10:21 AM

Reply

Answer 1

avidvid

Level 2

250 points

Aug 14, 2006 10:28 AM in response to Robert Tassaro1

Sounds like either the heads are dirty in the camera or the footage was recorded with a head clog. Get some isopropyhl alcohol and a lint free cloth and gently rub in even strokes on the head drum, or use a cleaning tape if you have that. if it was recorded with the clog than your SOL.

Reply

Answer 2

Aug 14, 2006 11:16 AM in response to Captain Mench

Philly. ha.
yea, pretty sure my next step is going to a retail store and asking if I can use one of their D8 cameras for 15 seconds. maybe even buying it and returning it the same day...
ive called several rental houses and they dont have anything to do with Digital8 footage/decks/cameras

Reply

Answer 3

Aug 14, 2006 2:08 PM in response to Robert Tassaro1

Most regular 8mm devices won't playback Hi8 recordings. Digital8 devices will playback 8mm, Hi8 and Digital 8. Hi8 devices will playback Hi8 and 8mm, while 8mm devices normally only playback 8mm recordings.

-DH

Reply

Answer 4

Aug 14, 2006 10:47 AM in response to Robert Tassaro1

It actually sounds like someone recorded Digital8 on the Hi8 tape. I'll never forget the first time I stuck a DigiBeta in a Beta deck... nothing but snow.

Does the TRV do D8??

CaptM

Reply

Answer 5

Aug 14, 2006 10:55 AM in response to avidvid

thanks -ill try cleaning the heads. quick question - im not familiar with the 'head clog'

Reply

Answer 6

Aug 14, 2006 10:56 AM in response to Captain Mench

Yep, I agree with the capn,
I've had many people bring me "Hi8" tapes, and they were actually digital 8. Looks the exact same, and if someone isn't familiar with the difference, its hard to tell.

Reply

Answer 7

avidvid

Level 2

250 points

Aug 14, 2006 10:57 AM in response to Robert Tassaro1

During recording dirt got on the heads, hence the term.

Reply

Answer 8

Aug 14, 2006 10:59 AM in response to Chris Young5

That is what I have been thinking from the start, although i've never had experience with it...
I suppose I need a Digital8 camera or deck to get this footage captured...

Reply

Answer 9

Aug 14, 2006 11:01 AM in response to Robert Tassaro1

Where are you? I've got one if you NEED it and are close to me...

or -- take it to a BestBuy or something like that and stick it in their D8 cameras. See if it doesn't work better.

CaptM

Reply

Answer 10

Aug 14, 2006 11:18 AM in response to Robert Tassaro1

Hmmm... a bit far from me, but my Mom's in Philly -- though she doesn't have a camera. Not sure about a stove either, so she's not gonna help.

I'd buy and take back!!

CaptM

Reply

Answer 11

Aug 14, 2006 11:52 AM in response to Captain Mench

ha. thanks for the laugh, and the help! ill run to the store and keep you updated with this exciting topic!

Reply