Thread: MiniDV failure Rate

Is the failure rate of miniDV tapes high. I recently recorded footage, the camcorder timecode carried on upto around 46 mins. Then I come to playback the tape and it has nothing on it, apart from every few minutes of fast forwarding, the timecode flashes up, with the date and time of the recording. Physically looking at the tape there are very fine creases, but nothing major. Other than that the tape is fine, but where is the footage? Is there are way of recovery, or is this a fault of the camcorder, which went onto record more footage on a different tape?

Was this a 'virgin tape'. Only ever had one tape get corrupted and playback was fine on another DV deck. I've used A LOT of tapes...

It was a new tape, but playback on 2 dv drives shows the same "timecode" appearing effect. No video/audio. Very odd!

I suggest you experiment with a few tapes and the same camcorder to make sure it isn't a fault with your camera. Better to learn that when 'playing' than when you REALLY need the footage!

What make of camcorder were you using when this happened?

Any tape with 'fine creases' is damaged.

i would say its a camera problem and some chewing of the tape has occurred.
as has been surgested, check the camera with another tape - if its the same then you know you need to take it back or get it fixed.

pstttt: if its insured for accidental damage - i hear camera football will get you another new one

It sounds very much to me like mucky heads and probably dirty tape transport mechanism too. Get it serviced, cleaned and checked over would be my advice.