I have a bunch of old HDV tapes. Best way to convert them? at DVinfo.net

Brian Boyko · January 1st, 2014, 04:55 AM

I have a bunch of old HDV tapes I was shooting on in 2007. It might be time to bring them out of storage and get re-started on that project. But I no longer have an HDV camera. What's the best way to get them on there? Rent an HDV camcorder? Buy a deck?

Craig Chartier · January 6th, 2014, 12:43 PM

How many is a "bunch" ? If over a dozen or so, I would look into buying a used camera or deck,
( cameras are cheaper). Then take it to someplace like Precision Camera and let them give it a good head cleaning. Then run a "demo" tape with images on it as your practice capturing tape. If it doesn't eat the tape and it cycles just fine during the capture, then its as safe as anything else out there at the moment.

Kevin McRoberts · January 6th, 2014, 04:04 PM

Buy, rent, or borrow an HDV "handicam," something like a Canon HV20/30/40. Capture them all in full to a master format, put them on 1-2 hard drives, and store away the tapes.

Did this a few years ago with anything worth capturing from my DV/HDV days. Hard drives are dirt cheap.

Bill Bruner · February 2nd, 2014, 06:41 AM

Pro-tape in Austin will do it for 60 bucks an hour: Pro-Tape.com - Austin, TX - Affordable Audio & Video Transfers, Duplication, DVD, CD - Pro-Tape.com

Hope this is helpful!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

January 1st, 2014, 04:55 AM	#1
Brian Boyko Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 773	I have a bunch of old HDV tapes. Best way to convert them? I have a bunch of old HDV tapes I was shooting on in 2007. It might be time to bring them out of storage and get re-started on that project. But I no longer have an HDV camera. What's the best way to get them on there? Rent an HDV camcorder? Buy a deck? __________________ Equip: Panny GH1, Canon HG20, Juicedlink, AT897, Sennh. EW/GW100, Zoom H2, Vegas 8.1

January 6th, 2014, 12:43 PM	#2
Craig Chartier DVi Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 374	Re: I have a bunch of old HDV tapes. Best way to convert them? How many is a "bunch" ? If over a dozen or so, I would look into buying a used camera or deck, ( cameras are cheaper). Then take it to someplace like Precision Camera and let them give it a good head cleaning. Then run a "demo" tape with images on it as your practice capturing tape. If it doesn't eat the tape and it cycles just fine during the capture, then its as safe as anything else out there at the moment.

January 6th, 2014, 04:04 PM	#3
Kevin McRoberts Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 700	Re: I have a bunch of old HDV tapes. Best way to convert them? Buy, rent, or borrow an HDV "handicam," something like a Canon HV20/30/40. Capture them all in full to a master format, put them on 1-2 hard drives, and store away the tapes. Did this a few years ago with anything worth capturing from my DV/HDV days. Hard drives are dirt cheap. __________________ Freelance pudgy bearded lighting camera operator www.mcbob.tv

February 2nd, 2014, 06:41 AM	#4
Bill Bruner Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sunny California Posts: 513	Re: I have a bunch of old HDV tapes. Best way to convert them? Pro-tape in Austin will do it for 60 bucks an hour: Pro-Tape.com - Austin, TX - Affordable Audio & Video Transfers, Duplication, DVD, CD - Pro-Tape.com Hope this is helpful! Bill Hybrid Camera Revolution