How to repair a MiniDV Tape (Part 1)

[saddiecalico]

do you know what a panasonic shg tape is?? well i have them for my old video camera and a tape i have messed up. it is wrinkiled up like this on so could i fix it like this too?? i dont want to mess it up more so i hope this works!:)

[jaworskij]

@saddiecalico shg = shaggy ;-)

[kema702]

i have the blue kind and that one does not have screws what should i do to fix it ??

[javapda]

@kema702 Not sure what you mean by the 'blue kind'?

[saddiecalico]

@javapda maybe its the panasonic kind they have a blue line on them

[BranF37]

Hello, do you by any chance know how to re-align a mini-dv video camera?

[javapda]

@BranF37 No.

[IzzyXgallY]

i'm seeking help on how to clean the tape, and i mean the magnetic tape of the cassette. please since google is not being helpful. thanks in advance and great video :)

[javapda]

@IzzyXgallY do you want to erase the tape? or do you want to clean the physical tape (perhaps because some fluid leaked into the case?)

[IzzyXgallY]

@javapda i have alot of dv tapes that i need to convert them into dvds, but most of 'em are dirty(displaying the blockies or not playing at all). my camera is new so the head is clean and i don't want to mess it up. so yes, i want to clean the tape, if it is possible :)

[letsride4life]

stop calling them old mini dv is here to stay

[javapda]

@letsride4life :-) sorry about that.

[xophotoloverjs]

Hi I have an issue with some of my old tapes... its not that theres anything wrong with them the only thing is that the audio is terrible like it cuts off and on, and its on an 8mm tape, would this be the solution to it? please respond thanks :)

[javapda]

@xophotoloverjs Yes it should, but keep in mind that where ever you do a splice (cut and tape) you may experience a slight gap in the audio on playback, depending on the length of the cut.

Good luck!

[magnus5899]

thanks a lot, it was very helpful!!!!!!!

[javapda]

@magnus5899 glad it helped

[magnus5899]

youthanks a lot, it was very helpful!!!!!!!

[dazeo]

Thank you for uploading this video it was right on time and came in very handy!!!

[javapda]

@dazeo Glad it was helpful.

[Airbornebull]

Anybody know anything that can fit in the tape hole to wind it. My tape popped and I just need to wind it back up because the tape is hanging out.

[javapda]

@Airbornebull Many things fit. A Number 2 pencil works well.

[Mikeg73070]

Hi, Any suggestions on repairing an 8mm or digital 8 tape. I have the same repair needs just a different format, any vids or advise?

[javapda]

@Mikeg73070 I have not tried it. But I would suspect the process would be very similar to this. Best wishes.

[crabbypants1978]

Not all mini DVs have screws holding them together. For example: You are using a Maxell tape tp repair the damaged one, but mine damaged tape is Maxell and it has no screws holding it together. Before I go out and buy a blank tape , how can I be sure that the new one has screws when its still wrapped up? Do you have any suggestions on that?

[javapda]

@crabbypants1978 Another excellent question. Unfortunately I do not have an answer for you. I have come across tapes without screws too. Usually it means I won't be repairing them unless you transport the spools of tape to another cassette container that does have screws.

Best wishes.

[kvettinger]

Can you tell me which miniDV tapes have screws?

I did discover Sony tapes have no screws. So I can't use these tapes for a repair.

[javapda]

@kvettinger Sorry, I do not have that information available. Perhaps check the manufacturer's web site for the datasheet associated with the tape.

[hootyhaha]

This is awesome I'm so glad you uploaded this. I just had a question though. Couldn't you bypass the complications of having to use the new tape, and just use splicing tape on the damaged tape? Then immediately dub the fixed tape to a new tape? For those less mechanically inclided it could be a better and quicker option. Then keep the damaged tape in storage just in case.

[javapda]

@hootyhaha Thanks for the kind remarks. And yes, I think your suggestion would work and be MUCH quicker :-).

[rtbvhsrip]

In the past? Old? I still use my DVX100 everyday and just bought a GV-D1000E. My whole SD workflow is based on DV.

BTW - MiniDV has a lot better quality than highly-compressed VGA-camcorders who can't even capture 50 fps.

[BillWestMusic]

Thanks! This worked great! I just saved myself a bunch of time and money trying to send this off for repair. Awesome!!

[javapda]

Great question. Is it possible that the screws are hidden under some decals?

[PClingobingo]

Great Tutorial, most new mini dv tapes don't have screws in the back. Is there anyway to take those apart? I looked at a sony tape and a panasonic tape neither had screws. Thanks.

[breakspirit]

@PClingobingo

my panasonic tapes all have screws and they're reasonably new.