Wonder if anyone has any ideas that could help me.....
I have a Mini DV Tape JVC Video Camera (Model GR-D23E). I bought it in 2004 but never used it very much. I don't think I've used it now for a couple of years but got it out the other day. There was a tape left in it and when I tried to play it, an image came up very briefly but then broke up and vanished leaving a blue screen. I tried putting other tapes in but they are also just playing a blue screen.
When I switch to recording mode the picture is fine and when I try to record it appears to be doing it but when I try to play what I've just recorded, I still get the blue screen. Occassionally I do get a message saying something like "Use Cleaning Cassette".
Is it probable that the heads have become "dirty" and just need cleaning or would there still be some sort of picture?
I don't have a cleaning cassette and don't want to waste money if it's more likely to be a mechanical problem that needs a repair.
Thanks for looking.
probably needs a clean.
leaving the tape in won't have done it much good.
a cleaning tape isn't expensive and is the cheapest option available, although a very careful use of IPA and a cotton bud would probably do it.
worst case, some place like digiservice could take a look for free and they have a fixed rate repair charge plus parts.
if you scan through the tape does it show a part picture?
Thanks for that - will probably have a go at cleaning it then if you think that dirty heads alone might cause a total loss of picture.
Still just get a blue screen when I scan through the tape as well.
Thanks again.
First inspect the tape (flip open the shutter by pulling the little lever on the side. It the tape clean? No dust? No creases? Try spooling it manually back and forth a little using a pen cap or similar and repeat the inspection.
Now, do you have access to a minDV camera that is known to be working correctly? Use that to check the tape (in recording and playback modes). That will give you important clues to the state of your JVC. If the tape is OK, invest in a cleaning tape for the JVC and try again.
Ray
Thanks for your thoughts - I can't see anything obviously wrong with any of my tapes and I can't find anyone I know with a DV Camera, to test whether it's the tapes or the camera. Will just have to have a go at cleaning. Thanks again.
if it's more than one tape, and they are deffo DV tapes, not HDV or the like, then it will be the camera. Unless you're really unlucky. (or NTSC etc.
If the tape is recorded in that camera, it should play back. I gather that some JVC cameras were picky if tapes came from another camera.
I am sure someone here could digits the tapes for you, or (if still available) we used to buy the cheapest DV cameras to digitse stuff and act as D>A converters
maybe find something on ebay that is a good deck but smashed lens etc
Thanks again Dave M - the tapes were recorded on this camera, so I am presuming that it is something wrong with the camera. It's just a matter of discovering whether it's dirty heads or faulty component. If it's the latter, I can't justify a repair as I don't use it enough, so I hope it's the former.
Fortunately, I've already transferred the tapes to a PC, so there's nothing lost in that respect.
Will just have to get a cleaning tape or some IPA and Cotton Buds and have a go at cleaning and keep my fingers crossed.
Thanks again.