Video recorded on HI8 tape using Digital8 Camcorder corrupt

[cool_dude]

Hi

I have recently just recorded some precious occassions using a sony DCR-TRV238E camcording using Sony HI8 and Video8 tapes.

Unfortunately when i now play the tapes, i have the following problems.

1) The playback has 3 black thick lines going accross the screen, one at top, one in centre and one at the bottom, covering almost half of the total screen.

2) The playback quality is so poor that the video plays for 2 seconds, freezes and goes jerky (little boxes), goes blue, and then all over again plays 2 seconds and so on.

All the time while the above is happening, you can the camcorder motor going as if the cassette sides were being switched as with a normal stereo player. Also, on the camcorder screen, you can every now and then see text such as: hi8-->8

3) The problem with this is that i cant get the videos into ulead videostudio and then edit them.

Any ideas guys on what my problem can be. I dont think it is the camcorder, apart from the fact that its head could be dirty, but ive tried the head cleaner so many times... i have a feelings got something to do with the encoding.

thanks in advance.
Paul

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums Paul,

Let me make sure I understand correctly. The jerkiness and lines through the video clips, are happening in your camcorder? If so then there is no encoding taking place. There seems to be a problem with your camcorder.

With your model of camcorder can you see the tape wheels of the cassette inside the camcorder? If so while playing back a tape, look to see if both are turning smoothly. If not then you will have to take it to a shop to have it repaired.