8mm to mini DV transfer on SONY DCR-HC96 defaults to B/W only

Peter Knego · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 09:09 AM

I just bought a SONY DCR HC96 camcorder and started using it to transfer some old 8mm video onto mini DV tape. All was fine until yesterday when the transfer suddenly went into b/w mode. I was not aware of hitting any unseen buttons or promts on the touch screen. Strangely, if I rewind/play or fast forward/play the original tape while the DV cam is in record mode, the original footage shows up as color. But once I return to regular play, it reverts to b/w. I tried going into the main menu and checking all options to make sure there was no b/w filter activated, but could not get to the bottom of it.

With regular recording, the color works. The black and white is only happening on the transfers. Also, please note, I was able to transfer about six hours of color footage successfully. This problem seems to have just kicked in.

Anyone have a suggestion on how I can correct this? I've been through the manual and cannot find anything that indicates what is wrong.

Many thanks!

Peter

Alan Mills · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 09:58 AM

not sure if this is your answer given the nature of your "it only just started happening" but I will mention that b+w capture can be a symptom of playing NTSC footage on a PAL device.

Check setting son the two cameras to make sure they are that same video type.

Peter Knego · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 06:42 PM

Thanks so much for the incredibly quick response, Alan. Actually, the original footage was shot in NTSC format and both machines are NTSC. It seems as though I tripped something on the camcorder but for the life of me I cannot figure out what I did. All the best,

Peter

Chapman Photography · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 06:47 PM

Do you have the manual so you can refer to it, if not you should be able to download a pdf from the maker.

Alan Mills · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 07:37 PM

If nothing else there should be an option to revert to factory settings somewhere I would imagine.

Also, do run a good tape head cleaner through it a couple of times just to be sure.

Peter Knego · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 06:34 AM

Thanks so much to everyone for their kind and swift replies. I am brand new to this, so it really is great to have the input. I'll try and revert the camera to the factory setting -- hopefully the manual will give me some leads on this. Otherwise, have tried all the options mentioned thus far.

Much appreciated,

Peter

Alan Mills · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 10:18 AM

Just found an online manual (PDF) for this camcorder and at the back it has a troub le shooting guide. For the NTSC copy I found on page 106 it has

Q. The color of the picture is not correctly displayed.
A. Deactivate the NightShot function (p33)

Don't know if that might help. Worth a check.

Also it look slike the Full reset option is described on page 35.

Peter Knego · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 01:24 AM

Thanks, Alan. I reset the camcorder and it began to work again. Then...back to b/w. I'm now convinced it is the tape deck and not the camcorder.

Again, hugely appreciated!

Best,

Peter