Why is this happening...? at DVinfo.net

Troy Davis · August 3rd, 2009, 01:36 PM

Hello,

A friend gave me their HI 8 tape to play in my Sony HI 8 cam and although they were sure that the tape had an hours worth of video I didn 't see anything. The counter never even detected that there was anything on the tape. What's strange is that when I put the same tape in their Samsung recorder it plays fine. I would also like to mentioned that other tapes play fine in the Sony. I understand that the video was recorded on the samsung, but I have no clue why it will only play on the Samsung and not on the Sony. Is the tape formatted for the Samsung cam only? Please explain?

Troy

Dave Blackhurst · August 3rd, 2009, 01:49 PM

Maybe a dumb question, but is the Samsung a Digital 8? IIRC, there were a couple "flavors" of "8", but it's far enough back, it's a bit foggy... but I don't think a digital 8 recording would register on a Hi8 device.

Chris Hurd · August 3rd, 2009, 02:04 PM

What is the exact model number of the Samsung camcorder? It could be that the video on that tape
was recorded in the Digital 8 format (which can be recorded to Hi 8 tape), if it was Samsung SC-L520
for instance, in which case your Sony Hi 8 camcorder won't recognize that kind of video even though
it's on a Hi 8 tape.

Boyd Ostroff · August 3rd, 2009, 02:04 PM

Yes, the original Hi8 tapes were analog - we have a lot of those here at work. Then they introduced digital 8 which used the same tapes but recorded in a different format and worked over firewire like DV. These cameras were backwards-compatible with the analog tapes.

So I'd guess that you are trying to play a digital 8 tape in Hi-8 camera.

Troy Davis · August 3rd, 2009, 06:02 PM

That sounds about right. The cam is a SCL906. It says Hi8 NTSC on the box.

Jonathan Jones · August 3rd, 2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

These cameras were backwards-compatible with the analog tapes.

Only some models. In the early years of D8, most, if not all models boasted backwards compatibility, but by the last couple of years, probably about half of the models they produced did not include this feature.

-Jon

Sam Mendolia · August 4th, 2009, 11:34 AM

Have had this same issue twice over many years. The resolution was always the same, it was recorded in Digital8 mode.

If you are able to get your hands on the equipment for the conversion to your computer, you'll be fine, otherwise, they will have to convert it to something your equipment can read, either HI8, regular 8, or the lowly VHS.

August 3rd, 2009, 01:36 PM	#1
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Why is this happening...? Hello, A friend gave me their HI 8 tape to play in my Sony HI 8 cam and although they were sure that the tape had an hours worth of video I didn 't see anything. The counter never even detected that there was anything on the tape. What's strange is that when I put the same tape in their Samsung recorder it plays fine. I would also like to mentioned that other tapes play fine in the Sony. I understand that the video was recorded on the samsung, but I have no clue why it will only play on the Samsung and not on the Sony. Is the tape formatted for the Samsung cam only? Please explain? Troy

August 3rd, 2009, 02:04 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	What is the exact model number of the Samsung camcorder? It could be that the video on that tape was recorded in the Digital 8 format (which can be recorded to Hi 8 tape), if it was Samsung SC-L520 for instance, in which case your Sony Hi 8 camcorder won't recognize that kind of video even though it's on a Hi 8 tape. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 4th, 2009, 11:34 AM	#7
Sam Mendolia Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 217	Have had this same issue twice over many years. The resolution was always the same, it was recorded in Digital8 mode. If you are able to get your hands on the equipment for the conversion to your computer, you'll be fine, otherwise, they will have to convert it to something your equipment can read, either HI8, regular 8, or the lowly VHS. __________________ I was told I have no vision, but boy do I see great!

August 3rd, 2009, 01:49 PM	#2
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Maybe a dumb question, but is the Samsung a Digital 8? IIRC, there were a couple "flavors" of "8", but it's far enough back, it's a bit foggy... but I don't think a digital 8 recording would register on a Hi8 device.

August 3rd, 2009, 02:04 PM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Yes, the original Hi8 tapes were analog - we have a lot of those here at work. Then they introduced digital 8 which used the same tapes but recorded in a different format and worked over firewire like DV. These cameras were backwards-compatible with the analog tapes. So I'd guess that you are trying to play a digital 8 tape in Hi-8 camera.

August 3rd, 2009, 06:02 PM	#5
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	That sounds about right. The cam is a SCL906. It says Hi8 NTSC on the box.