If you were given a DV tape without knowing anything at all about what camera or format was used to record the content-- if you want to bring it into your NLE, what's the best way to figure out where to start?

Tim

I would start by trying to play it back in a dv deck or camera to see what it is...if it's hdv or sd, you can see right away. If your are in the us and it's pal or secam, then it probably won't play --- I'm guessing, here --- but at least would give you a clue. If you can identify the format then you know how to set up your project../ Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

Battle Vaughan is correct. A camera or deck will read the tape and go into the mode required to play it. The more formats a given camera supports, the better chance you have. However, since you have and know the camera, and it gives you blue screen, you can eliminate the formats that camera supports. For example, if it's an SD DV camcorder and it doesn't recognize it, then it isn't DV. I just put an HDV tape from an A1 into a Sony TRV-900 and it told me correctly that it was SP and 16-bit audio but blue screen for the video. I got no TC or video. I think it will be tough if it was recorded in one of the 24fps formats as I understand that Sony's 24p HDV is not compatible with Canon's. 60i HDV hoever should be compatible.

I'm interested in the mystery, please follow up with how you made out.

I'm interested in the mystery, please follow up with how you made out.

Les,

Sorry, but I lost track of this thread and didn't follow up. As it turned out, I never got the tape. It was apparently from a wedding done some time and in the end they went another route.

However I do appreciate the insights which might well be useful for future such circumstances.

Tim