Playback on mini-dv cam to transcribe at DVinfo.net

Chip Rees · May 15th, 2006, 05:31 PM

Wondering if it is OK to playback mini-dv tapes on a camcorder to transcribe interviews. Does it risk harming the tapes themselves? I understand it wears the heads on the camera, so would use a cheaper camera that would be devoted to this purpose. If not advisable, what are suggested ways to handle transcribing of interviews that won't risk harming the original tape.

Many thanks!

Jonathan Jones · May 15th, 2006, 09:04 PM

Navigating back and forth through the tape is always going to result in some degree of wear. That's just the nature of friction...and the tapes are designed for this as to normal use, and such wear is rarely detrimental...however, endless navigation will eventually result in more wear, and may perhaps eventually result in periodic drop-outs or other problems with the tape. It partially depends upon how much 'back'n'forth-ing' you need to do.

Why not just import the tape into a dv file on your computer using just some basic NLE? If you are on a PC, Windows Movie Maker should at least get the job done, and if you are on a Mac, iMovie will be a cinch, from which you can export to several differend compressed quicktime movie files and toss the capture to save space if that is a concern. (Standard dv capture will eat up over 12 gigs of space for every hour of dv tape.) One play into the computer and that's it...leaving the tape safe and pristine afterwards, while you can transcribe from the dv file forever and day.
-Jon

Glenn Davidson · May 15th, 2006, 09:35 PM

Or transfer the audio to micro or analog cassette and use a transcriber with a foot petal so you can keep your hands on the keyboard. Old School, but it works.

Matt Schulze · May 17th, 2006, 09:17 AM

If I have to transscibe Mini DV's, I always transfer them to VHS and use a cheap VCR to do all the navigating. Turn on the on-screen display on your playback unit and you'll record the original timecode on the VHS tape. Works like a charm.

Chip Rees · May 18th, 2006, 01:17 PM

Thanks guys very much for the help! -chip

May 15th, 2006, 05:31 PM	#1
Chip Rees New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: san francisco, ca Posts: 5	Playback on mini-dv cam to transcribe Wondering if it is OK to playback mini-dv tapes on a camcorder to transcribe interviews. Does it risk harming the tapes themselves? I understand it wears the heads on the camera, so would use a cheaper camera that would be devoted to this purpose. If not advisable, what are suggested ways to handle transcribing of interviews that won't risk harming the original tape. Many thanks!

May 15th, 2006, 09:04 PM	#2
Jonathan Jones Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Healdsburg, California Posts: 1,138	Navigating back and forth through the tape is always going to result in some degree of wear. That's just the nature of friction...and the tapes are designed for this as to normal use, and such wear is rarely detrimental...however, endless navigation will eventually result in more wear, and may perhaps eventually result in periodic drop-outs or other problems with the tape. It partially depends upon how much 'back'n'forth-ing' you need to do. Why not just import the tape into a dv file on your computer using just some basic NLE? If you are on a PC, Windows Movie Maker should at least get the job done, and if you are on a Mac, iMovie will be a cinch, from which you can export to several differend compressed quicktime movie files and toss the capture to save space if that is a concern. (Standard dv capture will eat up over 12 gigs of space for every hour of dv tape.) One play into the computer and that's it...leaving the tape safe and pristine afterwards, while you can transcribe from the dv file forever and day. -Jon __________________ "Are we to go on record, sir, with our assertion that the 'pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers' are, in point of fact', magically delicious?" - Walter Hollarhan before the House Subcommittee on Integrity in Advertising - May, 1974

May 15th, 2006, 09:35 PM	#3
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	Or transfer the audio to micro or analog cassette and use a transcriber with a foot petal so you can keep your hands on the keyboard. Old School, but it works.

May 17th, 2006, 09:17 AM	#4
Matt Schulze New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: United States Posts: 9	If I have to transscibe Mini DV's, I always transfer them to VHS and use a cheap VCR to do all the navigating. Turn on the on-screen display on your playback unit and you'll record the original timecode on the VHS tape. Works like a charm.

May 18th, 2006, 01:17 PM	#5
Chip Rees New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: san francisco, ca Posts: 5	Thanks guys very much for the help! -chip