HC7 and JVC tapes?

[pmattb]

So far mostly so good with the new HC7 - like it so far, but a new issue popped up. I had a bunch of JVC MiniDV tapes that I got on ecost for cheap. they worked fine in my old Canon ZR60. The HC7 never liked them. first tape had some weird pauses and gave me a "clean heads" error, then the second tape did same thing. So I ran one more through it (mistake) and thats got some footage I really want (wedding!). Since then, switched to Sony Premium tapes (x2 with good diving video in the new housing), and its been happy, no weird pauses in playback, no head clean error messages on the camcorder. All is well. Now I try and play back the wedding tape and the camcorder doesnt like it - blue screen and trouble tracking the timecode...

I dont have another HD cam - is AVCHD compatible across brands, ie can I try and play back this tape in a Canon or other brand HD camcorder and see if anything else can read it? I'd love to save that tape if I can......

thanks all for your help!

 

[diversteve]

The HC7 shoots in HDV not AVCHD. AVCHD is what HDD cameras record in.

HDV is cross-camera compatible so your tape should play in any HDV camcorder. Or a HDV VCR if you can find one in a video production studio somewhere. It's all digital so they should be able to make you a clean copy assuming there's not something wrong with the tape.

 

[pakman]

Steve is correct, HC7 records HDV, not AVCHD. I did some online research about budget line DV tapes for my HC7 and came across mixed recommendations (a lot of it seems anecdotal), but most suggested to sticking to 1 brand of DV tape as some of the manufacturers use different lubricants on their tapes. Switching back and forth may cause problems with the camera's tape head/ rollers.

I first started out using the premium Sony HDV tapes but have now switched to their budget DV tapes without problems.

As for your problem, you would need to find another Sony HDV camera or tapedeck to playback. Maybe try to get a head cleaning kit, and then try playing back/ transferring the wedding JVC tape. Then give the heads a good cleaning again before you start reusing the Sony premium tapes.

But then again, it could be that just the tape is damaged.

 

[Empty V]

I suggest only using one tape manufacturer with your camera. Pakman is right about the lubricant issue and it will mess up the heads of the camera whether it's recording or playback. I suggest getting the budget tapes dubbed to sony tapes if that's what you're using and having the timecode wiped with a new set of digits. And remember, there's no HD with the consumer sony cameras or a miniDV tape, just HDV sorry I'm an HD snob and not a big sony fan.

Good Luck!

Billy

 

[pmattb]

Good deal all - thanks for the input. awaiting a head cleaner now, and just ordered more sony MiniDV. I'm with ya Billy on the HDV/HD issue, but as is often the case, the nomenclature can be painful....

 

[Annie Crawley]

I think it is important for everyone to realize the issue with the different manufacturers. Once you start with one, stick to them. If you ever use another in emergency, use head cleaner between different tape stocks. In addition to this, the only time I had problems with tape stock dropping frames and sticking was when I bought a budget group of tapes online from a source I was not familiar with. There are a lot of online tape supply houses out there. I do believe you want to pay attention to this.