Issue w/Digital8 playback/capture of analog tapes

Robert P wrote on 7/18/2013, 7:48 PM

One of the features of my Sony TRV-240 Handycam is it will play back and allow Firewire capture of analog 8mm and High8 tapes. It does but when capturing I run into problems particularly with longer segments.

While the playback on the viewfinder looks and sounds fine, when playing back the file I frequently find the audio stopped being captured at some point. If I re-capture from before that point, the remainder of the tape will play back fine.

Also I can find severe dropped frames problems even though they didn't show up on the capture app.

I *don't* have this problem if I play the files on an analog cam and use the Digital8 as a pass-through box. But the video actually looks better if it's played by and captured from the Digital8 cam.

Capturing to a secondary SATA drive using the Firewire port on a Soundblaster Platinum EX sound card.

Anyone have insight into this and possible remedies?

Thanks.

Comments

OldSmoke wrote on 7/18/2013, 8:59 PM

Are you using Sony Vegas to capture the footage? I would think it has todo with your Soundblaster card. You should try a dedicated firewire card if that is possible for you.
Have you tried to capture to the D8 camera first and then from there to the computer?

TheHappyFriar wrote on 7/18/2013, 9:00 PM

Sounds like there's slight glitches on playback from the camera's play head and it's causing dropouts when captured.Small enough to not notice during capture but big enough to have a glitch on the transfer.

I'd suggest cleaning the play heads.

videoITguy wrote on 7/18/2013, 10:31 PM

Most people do not realize this, but the engineering behind playback speed and hence stability for a reg8mm and Digital 8mm recorded video is controlled by a very sensitive internal servo controller. That system is very sensitive as the camera gets older and less frequently used, thus the probable source of your symptoms and problematic plays.

farss wrote on 7/18/2013, 10:35 PM

[I]" I'd suggest cleaning the play heads. "[/I]

Absolutely. We have a D8 VCR and we've had it need some serious head declogging. I suspect some of the old tapes are starting to really fall apart. The other problem I've seen with old tapes that haven't been stored too well is fungus build up on the outside of the tape pancake.

Bob.

JackW wrote on 7/18/2013, 11:43 PM

Definitely clean the heads. We use a TRV-900 for playback and experience problems similar to yours if the heads are the least bit dirty.

Jack

JJKizak wrote on 7/19/2013, 6:10 AM

You might also check the edges of the tape with a magnifying glass for minute foldovers due to guide mis alignments. These are very small and you need to magnify them to see them.
JJK

Barry W. Hull wrote on 7/19/2013, 8:22 AM

Robert,

I've done business with this company:

http://www.southernadvantage.com/home.php

They can help with all things Hi-8, sales, service, repair...

Robert P wrote on 7/31/2013, 12:35 PM

Thanks for all replies. Cleaning the heads seems to make all the difference. I'm using a cotton swab with microfiber pulled around the end and denatured alcohol. Seems to work pretty well.