Hi8 tapes recorded in Analogue showing blank in Digital camera

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CommanderCool
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Joined: Jul 18 2015

Hello,

I am currently in the process of converting old tapes into the digital format and have run into a problem.

I have a couple of Hi8 tapes which were recorded in the Sony TRV218E over 10 years ago, since Digital Camcorders are supposed to be able to play Hi8 tapes, I thought that I should buy a cheap one on eBay.

The camera I got was the TRV255E and it came with a Hi8 tape. There was footage from the previous owner on it and it played back without any problems. But whenever I put my tapes in and pressed play, nothing happened. The play symbol would show but the screen stays blank (blue).

Is this because my tapes were recorded on another camera or have the tapes been erased from being unused for such a long time?

Would cleaning the tapedeck using using a cleaner tape help?

LesWinn
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Joined: Sep 3 2002
Re: Hi8 tapes recorded in Analogue showing blank in Digital ...

Usually there is still some space on the end of a recorded tape.

To make sure the camcorder is working, record a short scene and play that back.

When I transferred Hi8 tapes to DV tapes, some years ago, the Hi8 camcorder was connected to a digital camcorder for transfer.

Les

Wisz
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Joined: Jan 30 2001
Re: Hi8 tapes recorded in Analogue showing blank in Digital ...

Not all Digital 8 Camcorders are capable of playing Video8 or Hi8 analogue tapes and unfortunately as far as I can tell from the threads on various different forums etc. the TRV255E is one that doesn't.

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/4144-best-camera-video8.html

http://v8mm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/sony-digital8-cameras-which-are.html

The Hi8 tape it came with could have been recorded in Digital 8, because the tapes are compatible, much like DV and HDV.

Richard Wisz Media Services

CommanderCool
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Joined: Jul 18 2015
Re: Hi8 tapes recorded in Analogue showing blank in Digital ...

Thanks for the replies.

I see that would make sense.

LesWinn wrote:
Usually there is still some space on the end of a recorded tape.

To make sure the camcorder is working, record a short scene and play that back.

I have just tried it, recorded new footage on the Digital camera at end of my old tape and the playback is fine. This confirms Wisz's post about the TRV255E not being able to play analog recordings.

LesWinn
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Joined: Sep 3 2002
Re: Hi8 tapes recorded in Analogue showing blank in Digital ...

Although it was year 2000. it  may be useful to know the camcorders used.
 
The analogue tape was  from a Canon UC-X30 Hi8 camcorder transfering to a Sony TRV20 digital camcorder..

Les