>I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8
> and
> I was able to do likewise.
>
> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
> connected.
>
> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>
> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.

> raida4life wrote ...
>
>> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
>> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
>> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
>> I was able to do likewise.
>>
>> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
>> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
>> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
>> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
>> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
>> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
>> connected.
>>
>> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
>> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
>> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
>> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
>> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
>> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
>> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>>
>> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
>> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>
>
> First, note that 16-bit is the preferred mode, and very few
> people use 12-bit, mostly by accident. :-)
>
> You didn't mention what software you are using to capture?
> Is it set for 12-bit (because you seem to work with 12 a lot?)

> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
> I was able to do likewise.
>
> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
> connected.
>
> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>
> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>

> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
> I was able to do likewise.
>
> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
> connected.
>
> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>
> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>

> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
> I was able to do likewise.
>
> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
> connected.
>
> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>
> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.

> > I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
> > Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
> > VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
> > I was able to do likewise.
> >
> > Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
> > the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
> > the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
> > taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
> > audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
> > swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
> > connected.
> >
> > He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
> > DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
> > recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
> > back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
> > messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
> > the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
> > tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
> >
> > If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
> > recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>
> Double check the audio settings on whatever it is you're playing back
> on.  Since the audio on his tapes is in 16-bit 48khz mode, there will
> only be audio on channels 1 and 2 while 12-bit 32khz mode (even though
> there is a loss in sound quality this way) can have 4 channels of audio.

> David Matthew Wood wrote:
>>> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
>>> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
>>> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
>>> I was able to do likewise.
>>>
>>> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
>>> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
>>> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
>>> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
>>> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
>>> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
>>> connected.
>>>
>>> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
>>> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
>>> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
>>> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
>>> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
>>> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
>>> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>>>
>>> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
>>> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>>
>> Double check the audio settings on whatever it is you're playing back
>> on.  Since the audio on his tapes is in 16-bit 48khz mode, there will
>> only be audio on channels 1 and 2 while 12-bit 32khz mode (even though
>> there is a loss in sound quality this way) can have 4 channels of audio.
>
> I bought 4 different players and had to return each as every time I
> changed the settings either I got no sound or intermittent sound
> playback. Each time I tried this I played them back and made sure the
> cables weren't loose. I just wonder if this is all due to the fact that
> I am using RCA jacks to try and retreive the audio and video from these
> tapes. I am concerned that I may get other recordings like this from
> Mini DV tapes in the future, and that the tapes may not be able to be
> played back because this is a problem with Mini DV technology.

> On 6/02/2006, raida4l***@yahoo.com posted this:
>
>> David Matthew Wood wrote:
>>
>>>> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
>>>> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
>>>> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
>>>> I was able to do likewise.
>>>>
>>>> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
>>>> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
>>>> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
>>>> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
>>>> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
>>>> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
>>>> connected.
>>>>
>>>> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
>>>> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
>>>> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
>>>> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
>>>> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
>>>> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
>>>> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>>>>
>>>> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
>>>> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>>>
>>>
>>> Double check the audio settings on whatever it is you're playing back
>>> on.  Since the audio on his tapes is in 16-bit 48khz mode, there will
>>> only be audio on channels 1 and 2 while 12-bit 32khz mode (even though
>>> there is a loss in sound quality this way) can have 4 channels of audio.
>>
>>
>> I bought 4 different players and had to return each as every time I
>> changed the settings either I got no sound or intermittent sound
>> playback. Each time I tried this I played them back and made sure the
>> cables weren't loose. I just wonder if this is all due to the fact that
>> I am using RCA jacks to try and retreive the audio and video from these
>> tapes. I am concerned that I may get other recordings like this from
>> Mini DV tapes in the future, and that the tapes may not be able to be
>> played back because this is a problem with Mini DV technology.
>
>
> I've recorded audio in 12-bit (accidentally) and 16-bit (intentionally)
> and never had "a problem with Mini DV technology". You've got some
> settings wrong somewhere, but from your description I can't guess what.
>
>> I have camcorder equipment that can playback 8mm, Digital 8 tapes and
>> even VHS C, but I have only experienced this problem with Mini DV. I
>> will try the firewire option as someone suggested. I guess it is time I
>> got with the times.  One thing I noticed is that several camera manuals
>> indicate that you can only playback 16 bit audio recordings in 12 bit
>> audio mode.In many cases when I tried to change the settings on most of
>> these cameras they would not let me change the Audio to 16 bit.
>
>
> Your last two sentences don't make sense to me.
>
> 1. You can't play 16-bit recordings in 12-bit mode. However, AFIK, the
> camera will automatically play tapes in the mode they are recorded in,
> so you shouldn't have to make any settings.
>
> 2. In the record mode, you can only change the settings for future
> recordings; as I read your last sentence I wonder if you meant that
> while you were in playback mode, you were trying to change the record
> mode of an existing tape...
>
> You might mention what camcorder or player you're using so someone who
> knows the equipment or has the manual can guide you more accurately.
>

> Gene E. Bloch wrote:
>
>> On 6/02/2006, raida4l***@yahoo.com posted this:
>>
>>> David Matthew Wood wrote:
>>>
>>>>> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
>>>>> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer these to
>>>>> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital 8 and
>>>>> I was able to do likewise.
>>>>>
>>>>> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
>>>>> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
>>>>> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy who
>>>>> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just the
>>>>> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
>>>>> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
>>>>> connected.
>>>>>
>>>>> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
>>>>> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
>>>>> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
>>>>> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
>>>>> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
>>>>> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
>>>>> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>>>>>
>>>>> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
>>>>> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Double check the audio settings on whatever it is you're playing back
>>>> on.  Since the audio on his tapes is in 16-bit 48khz mode, there will
>>>> only be audio on channels 1 and 2 while 12-bit 32khz mode (even though
>>>> there is a loss in sound quality this way) can have 4 channels of audio.
>>>
>>>
>>> I bought 4 different players and had to return each as every time I
>>> changed the settings either I got no sound or intermittent sound
>>> playback. Each time I tried this I played them back and made sure the
>>> cables weren't loose. I just wonder if this is all due to the fact that
>>> I am using RCA jacks to try and retreive the audio and video from these
>>> tapes. I am concerned that I may get other recordings like this from
>>> Mini DV tapes in the future, and that the tapes may not be able to be
>>> played back because this is a problem with Mini DV technology.
>>
>>
>> I've recorded audio in 12-bit (accidentally) and 16-bit (intentionally) and
>> never had "a problem with Mini DV technology". You've got some settings
>> wrong somewhere, but from your description I can't guess what.
>>
>>> I have camcorder equipment that can playback 8mm, Digital 8 tapes and
>>> even VHS C, but I have only experienced this problem with Mini DV. I
>>> will try the firewire option as someone suggested. I guess it is time I
>>> got with the times.  One thing I noticed is that several camera manuals
>>> indicate that you can only playback 16 bit audio recordings in 12 bit
>>> audio mode.In many cases when I tried to change the settings on most of
>>> these cameras they would not let me change the Audio to 16 bit.
>>
>>
>> Your last two sentences don't make sense to me.
>>
>> 1. You can't play 16-bit recordings in 12-bit mode. However, AFIK, the
>> camera will automatically play tapes in the mode they are recorded in, so
>> you shouldn't have to make any settings.
>>
>> 2. In the record mode, you can only change the settings for future
>> recordings; as I read your last sentence I wonder if you meant that while
>> you were in playback mode, you were trying to change the record mode of an
>> existing tape...
>>
>> You might mention what camcorder or player you're using so someone who
>> knows the equipment or has the manual can guide you more accurately.
>>
>
> I wonder if he recorded in "VR " mode instead of "Video" mode?

> On 6/02/2006, Rick Merrill posted this:
>
>> Gene E. Bloch wrote:
>>
>>> On 6/02/2006, raida4l***@yahoo.com posted this:
>>>
>>>> David Matthew Wood wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
>>>>>> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer
>>>>>> these to
>>>>>> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital
>>>>>> 8 and
>>>>>> I was able to do likewise.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
>>>>>> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
>>>>>> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy
>>>>>> who
>>>>>> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
>>>>>> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
>>>>>> connected.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
>>>>>> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
>>>>>> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
>>>>>> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
>>>>>> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
>>>>>> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
>>>>>> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
>>>>>> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Double check the audio settings on whatever it is you're playing back
>>>>> on.  Since the audio on his tapes is in 16-bit 48khz mode, there will
>>>>> only be audio on channels 1 and 2 while 12-bit 32khz mode (even though
>>>>> there is a loss in sound quality this way) can have 4 channels of
>>>>> audio.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I bought 4 different players and had to return each as every time I
>>>> changed the settings either I got no sound or intermittent sound
>>>> playback. Each time I tried this I played them back and made sure the
>>>> cables weren't loose. I just wonder if this is all due to the fact that
>>>> I am using RCA jacks to try and retreive the audio and video from these
>>>> tapes. I am concerned that I may get other recordings like this from
>>>> Mini DV tapes in the future, and that the tapes may not be able to be
>>>> played back because this is a problem with Mini DV technology.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I've recorded audio in 12-bit (accidentally) and 16-bit
>>> (intentionally) and never had "a problem with Mini DV technology".
>>> You've got some settings wrong somewhere, but from your description I
>>> can't guess what.
>>>
>>>> I have camcorder equipment that can playback 8mm, Digital 8 tapes and
>>>> even VHS C, but I have only experienced this problem with Mini DV. I
>>>> will try the firewire option as someone suggested. I guess it is time I
>>>> got with the times.  One thing I noticed is that several camera manuals
>>>> indicate that you can only playback 16 bit audio recordings in 12 bit
>>>> audio mode.In many cases when I tried to change the settings on most of
>>>> these cameras they would not let me change the Audio to 16 bit.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Your last two sentences don't make sense to me.
>>>
>>> 1. You can't play 16-bit recordings in 12-bit mode. However, AFIK,
>>> the camera will automatically play tapes in the mode they are
>>> recorded in, so you shouldn't have to make any settings.
>>>
>>> 2. In the record mode, you can only change the settings for future
>>> recordings; as I read your last sentence I wonder if you meant that
>>> while you were in playback mode, you were trying to change the record
>>> mode of an existing tape...
>>>
>>> You might mention what camcorder or player you're using so someone
>>> who knows the equipment or has the manual can guide you more accurately.
>>>
>>
>> I wonder if he recorded in "VR " mode instead of "Video" mode?
>
>
> He's talking about a camcorder...
>

>Gene E. Bloch wrote:
>
>> On 6/02/2006, Rick Merrill posted this:
>>
>>> Gene E. Bloch wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 6/02/2006, raida4l***@yahoo.com posted this:
>>>>
>>>>> David Matthew Wood wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>> I recently had some people helping me out with some video recordings.
>>>>>>> Some tapes I got in 8mm and have always been able to transfer
>>>>>>> these to
>>>>>>> VHS or DVD via RCA cables. Similarly I got some that were Digital
>>>>>>> 8 and
>>>>>>> I was able to do likewise.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Recently I got some Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes and discovered after
>>>>>>> the fact that all of these recordings were done in such a format that
>>>>>>> the Audio is not reproducible by any other means than from the guy
>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>> taped these for me. The video always comes through fine, it's just
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> audio I am having trouble with. I tried a couple of iterations of
>>>>>>> swapping out the audio cables and made sure they were properly
>>>>>>> connected.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> He left a few untransfered to DVD for me and now I am stuck with Mini
>>>>>>> DV tapes that I can not get the sound out of. I suspect these were
>>>>>>> recorded in 16 bit Audio, because all of the 12 Bit recordings play
>>>>>>> back just fine. I have tried in vain using other camcorders and even
>>>>>>> messed with every combination of audio setting on the camcorder with
>>>>>>> the RCA jacks, but the Audio just does not come through. I have only
>>>>>>> tried using RCA jacks, I am not familiar with other technologies.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If someone can help me figure out how to recover the audio from these
>>>>>>> recordings along with the video stream, I would be very thankful.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Double check the audio settings on whatever it is you're playing back
>>>>>> on.  Since the audio on his tapes is in 16-bit 48khz mode, there will
>>>>>> only be audio on channels 1 and 2 while 12-bit 32khz mode (even though
>>>>>> there is a loss in sound quality this way) can have 4 channels of
>>>>>> audio.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I bought 4 different players and had to return each as every time I
>>>>> changed the settings either I got no sound or intermittent sound
>>>>> playback. Each time I tried this I played them back and made sure the
>>>>> cables weren't loose. I just wonder if this is all due to the fact that
>>>>> I am using RCA jacks to try and retreive the audio and video from these
>>>>> tapes. I am concerned that I may get other recordings like this from
>>>>> Mini DV tapes in the future, and that the tapes may not be able to be
>>>>> played back because this is a problem with Mini DV technology.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I've recorded audio in 12-bit (accidentally) and 16-bit
>>>> (intentionally) and never had "a problem with Mini DV technology".
>>>> You've got some settings wrong somewhere, but from your description I
>>>> can't guess what.
>>>>
>>>>> I have camcorder equipment that can playback 8mm, Digital 8 tapes and
>>>>> even VHS C, but I have only experienced this problem with Mini DV. I
>>>>> will try the firewire option as someone suggested. I guess it is time I
>>>>> got with the times.  One thing I noticed is that several camera manuals
>>>>> indicate that you can only playback 16 bit audio recordings in 12 bit
>>>>> audio mode.In many cases when I tried to change the settings on most of
>>>>> these cameras they would not let me change the Audio to 16 bit.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Your last two sentences don't make sense to me.
>>>>
>>>> 1. You can't play 16-bit recordings in 12-bit mode. However, AFIK,
>>>> the camera will automatically play tapes in the mode they are
>>>> recorded in, so you shouldn't have to make any settings.
>>>>
>>>> 2. In the record mode, you can only change the settings for future
>>>> recordings; as I read your last sentence I wonder if you meant that
>>>> while you were in playback mode, you were trying to change the record
>>>> mode of an existing tape...
>>>>
>>>> You might mention what camcorder or player you're using so someone
>>>> who knows the equipment or has the manual can guide you more accurately.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I wonder if he recorded in "VR " mode instead of "Video" mode?
>>
>>
>> He's talking about a camcorder...
>>
>
>So am I talking about a camcorder. Specifically Sony DVD camcorders have
>two Very Different record modes (VR vs Video).  Look it up.

news:1ng182tdf4jlq0lu1ehp17k7bqrh7rm9mb@4ax.com:

> On Fri, 02 Jun 2006 15:55:18 -0400, in 'rec.video.production',
> in article <Re: Mini DV Audio need your help or suggestions>,
> Rick Merrill <rick0.merrill@NOSPAMgmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>> I wonder if he recorded in "VR " mode instead of "Video" mode?
>>>
>>>
>>> He's talking about a camcorder...
>>>
>>
>>So am I talking about a camcorder. Specifically Sony DVD
>>camcorders have two Very Different record modes (VR vs Video).
>>Look it up.
>
>
> Rick, the OP wrote "Mini DV (not Mini DVD) tapes". The OP is *not*
> referring to a DVD camcorder, hence the VR versus Video record
> mode issue doesn't apply to this situation.
>

> raida4life wrote ...
>
>>I bought 4 different players and had to return each as every time I
>>changed the settings either I got no sound or intermittent sound
>>playback. Each time I tried this I played them back and made sure the
>>cables weren't loose. I just wonder if this is all due to the fact that
>>I am using RCA jacks to try and retreive the audio and video from these
>>tapes. I am concerned that I may get other recordings like this from
>>Mini DV tapes in the future, and that the tapes may not be able to be
>>played back because this is a problem with Mini DV technology.
>
>
> Millions of people use miniDV technology every day without
> any of those kinds of problems. There does not appear to be
> any kind of fundamental "problem with Mini DV technology".
>
> You will get little practical help here unless you start giving
> specifics like make/model, etc. "4 different players" means
> nothing to us.
>
>
>>I have camcorder equipment that can playback 8mm, Digital 8 tapes and
>>even VHS C, but I have only experienced this problem with Mini DV. I
>>will try the firewire option as someone suggested. I guess it is time I
>>got with the times.
>
>
> You will most certainly get better results from a direct digital
> connection (via Firewire) than you can with any kind of analog
> capture.  But whether this will remedy your ongoing problems
> with 12-bit vs. 16-bit seems doubtful.
>
> Frankly, I've never heard any one else experience such problems.
> Few people use 12-bit, and then only by accident, and only once.
> It was a marketing gimmic and turned out to be of little practical
> use. Stick with 16-bit like 99.9999% of the rest of the world.

> Give us some specifics. Else any practical help will be impossible.
> Do you mean "change the settings" before recording?  What does
> "not let me" mean?
>
>

> "Gary Eickmeier" wrote ...
>> Richard Crowley wrote:
>>> You need to find a competent repair shop.
>>
>> Agreed, but how can I do much better than the Sony authorized repair center
>> in New York? I couldn't even talk to any technical people, just the order
>> taker woman. Ever. Communicated with them by letter inside the camcorder
>> box. They send it back to you in worse condition than when it went in.
>
> So apparently "Big City" or even "Factory Authorized" are
> not necessarily indicators of competence or customer service.
>
> I live in Portland, OR, and have a great service place.
> When my DSR-300 quit working, I placed it directly on
> the bench of the owner and watched over his shoulder
> as he dissembled it enough to find the tape guide which
> came loose.  Lucky for me, the guide was still there in
> the bottom of the case, and it only cost me a re-alignment.
>
>> So what is the big mystery about aligning a mini DV camcorder? They do it
>> at the factory a zillion times a day.
>
> No great mystery. A standard alignment tape, an oscilloscope,
> and a service manual is pretty much all it takes. (Plus the
> underlying skill of working on small electro-mechanical
> gadgets, the tools, and a strong magnifying lamp! :-)

> On 6/04/2006, Richard Crowley posted this:
>
>> "Gary Eickmeier" wrote ...
>>
>>> Richard Crowley wrote:
>>>
>>>> You need to find a competent repair shop.
>>>
>>>
>>> Agreed, but how can I do much better than the Sony authorized repair
>>> center in New York? I couldn't even talk to any technical people,
>>> just the order taker woman. Ever. Communicated with them by letter
>>> inside the camcorder box. They send it back to you in worse condition
>>> than when it went in.
>>
>>
>> So apparently "Big City" or even "Factory Authorized" are
>> not necessarily indicators of competence or customer service.
>>
>> I live in Portland, OR, and have a great service place.
>> When my DSR-300 quit working, I placed it directly on
>> the bench of the owner and watched over his shoulder
>> as he dissembled it enough to find the tape guide which
>> came loose.  Lucky for me, the guide was still there in
>> the bottom of the case, and it only cost me a re-alignment.
>>
>>> So what is the big mystery about aligning a mini DV camcorder? They
>>> do it at the factory a zillion times a day.
>>
>>
>> No great mystery. A standard alignment tape, an oscilloscope,
>> and a service manual is pretty much all it takes. (Plus the
>> underlying skill of working on small electro-mechanical
>> gadgets, the tools, and a strong magnifying lamp! :-)
>
>
> And a desire to do a good job...

>>>> Richard Crowley wrote:
>>>
>>> No great mystery. A standard alignment tape, an oscilloscope,
>>> and a service manual is pretty much all it takes. (Plus the
>>> underlying skill of working on small electro-mechanical
>>> gadgets, the tools, and a strong magnifying lamp! :-)
>>
>>
>> And a desire to do a good job...
>
> Thanks - I didn't get the Crowley post on my server. I found a shop that I
> can take it to and actually talk to the technician, hopefully, in St Pete.
> Sending it to Sony is like dropping it off a cliff and hoping for the best.
> That's a real shame, because you would think you could trust them to make the
> camera just like new. I mean like, if you can't trust the factory guys...
>
> Gary Eickmeier

> I bought 4 different players and had to return each as every time I
> changed the settings either I got no sound or intermittent sound
> playback. Each time I tried this I played them back and made sure the
> cables weren't loose. I just wonder if this is all due to the fact that
> I am using RCA jacks to try and retreive the audio and video from these
> tapes. I am concerned that I may get other recordings like this from
> Mini DV tapes in the future, and that the tapes may not be able to be
> played back because this is a problem with Mini DV technology.
>
> I have camcorder equipment that can playback 8mm, Digital 8 tapes and
> even VHS C, but I have only experienced this problem with Mini DV. I
> will try the firewire option as someone suggested. I guess it is time I
> got with the times.  One thing I noticed is that several camera manuals
> indicate that you can only playback 16 bit audio recordings in 12 bit
> audio mode.In many cases when I tried to change the settings on most of
> these cameras they would not let me change the Audio to 16 bit.