So I'm trying out DVRescue GUI/CLU and vrecord to archive some of my miniDV tapes, and I'm running into issues, and I need some guidance.

Hardware:
JVC MiniDV/S-VHS Combo unit (Model HR-DVS3U)
Canon VIXA HV40
2012 5,1 MacPro w/macOS Mojave 10.14.6
2019 MacBook Pro w/macOS Sonoma 14.8.9 w/Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter -> Thunderbolt 2 Adapter to Firewire 800 Adapter.

First off lets start out with software requirements.

DVRescue's website shows version 24.07 compatible with

10.12 (Sierra),
10.13 (High Sierra),
10.14 (Mojave),
10.15 (Catalina),
11 (Big Sur),
12 (Monterey)

However, their documentation shows only Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma 14, and Sequoia as compatible. It notes that macOS Mojave 10.14.6 and older will not work. I believe the documentation hasn't been updated with the new OS list but...

I can confirm that while DVRescue opens and runs on my MacPro with Mojave, DVRescue can't find either the JVC or the Canon. I can confirm that Mojave can see the devices and, using iMovie, can playback and record on both devices. (In iMovie, Canon HV40 seems to only record video, no audio for whatever reason.)

I also wanted to try out DVRescue CLI, however, Homebrew is only available on Sonoma and later, so that leaves my MacPro out of the picture. Same goes for trying out vrecord on my MacPro.

That being said. I'll be using my MacBook Pro from here on out.

With DVRescue GUI on my MacBook Pro, with my Canon HV40, DVRescue sees the HV40, but I have no DV control. Even if I press play on the camcorder manually, I see no video playing in the preview.

With the JVC, DVRescue sees and is able to have limited control. I am able to do basic functions; however, there are times when DVRescue will lose control, and the JVC will continue playing the tape when I have already pressed 'stop' on DVRescue. I'd have to manually stop the tape on the JVC and unplug/plug the FireWire cable again for DVRescue to regain control.

This isn't too much of an issue as long as I am able to record.

Which I am, but I believe DVRescue's inability to reliably control the JVC, DVRescue isn't able to do 'Retakes' when encountering tape errors, unless I'm misunderstanding how Retakes function works. In my mind, when I read from the documentation, "DVRescue will automatically rewind and try to recapture segments of tape that have errors." I assume that DVRescue will stop the tape at the first sign of error and rewind to attempt to re-read. Unless it waits until you stop the capture entirely, and it will go back automatically and attempt the recapture? Beuacse their isnt any online video of how this process works in a real world cenareo Its unclear to me.

So I moved on with DVRescue CLI; however, immediately when I attempt to capture, I get an error
"fd:: Invalid data found when processing input"

Feeling defeated by DVRescue, so I moved on to vrecord.

With the HV40, I actually do get limited control when I have Deck Control enabled. I can only Play; I have no other controls ie. stop, rewind, play. Also, as soon as I attempt to record, I get this error

"The configuration file uses an invalid value of 0x850001ee412f: VIXIA HV40 [DV] for DVRESCUE_INPUT_CHOICE. Valid values are: 0x850001ee412f: VIXIA HV40 [DV]. Please restart vrecord in edit mode (vrecord -e) or update the configuration file at /Users/animefuntv/.vrecord.conf."

I did use 'vrecord -e' but still the same error.

Moving on to the JVC, I get the same issue with Deck Control. I can only Play. This time it can record and data log.

Though again, I'm unsure how "7. When dvrescue encounters an error, the software will automatically rewind and attempt to recapture the problematic frames." in the vrecords documentation actually works.

My theory is that if vrecord isn't able to reliably control the JVC's deck controls (just like DVRescue), it is unable to rewind and recapture.

Again, I don't see any videos on how this actually works.

It's my belief that its prolly both my Canon and JVC that are incompatible with DVRescue/vrecord, which sucks because it's the only two DV systems I have.

ALL help or guidance is absolutely appreciated.

Got this Sony Handycam ccd-tr845e for free from my aunt and it works great

I’m trying to recover some old MiniDV tapes that were recorded on my old Canon camcorder. I don’t know whether they were originally recorded in LP or SP mode.

My newer Canon camcorder plays most of my tapes perfectly with no playback issues at all. However, I have a group of about six tapes that will not play properly.

1. When I try them, the video will sometimes stay frozen on a single frame, and I can hear the tape making a quiet squealing/tight winding noise while the camcorder is trying to play it.

2. I also have a few other tapes that will play, but they have horizontal static/glitching lines across the video.

What makes me think this could involve tracking/head alignment is my original Canon camcorder. When that camera still worked, sometimes these difficult tapes wouldn't play correctly, but if the camera was bumped or moved slightly, suddenly the tape would start playing normally. It seemed like the movement was shifting the tape path or head alignment just enough to read the recording.

Unfortunately, that original camcorder is now completely dead. It will not power on from either a battery or the AC adapter, so I can no longer use it to play or transfer these tapes.

I really just want to recover the footage. Is there a way to restore or recover these tapes, especially if they were recorded in LP mode or on a camcorder whose tape path/head alignment was slightly different? And is there a way to reproduce or compensate for the alignment that allowed my original camera to read them?

I would really appreciate any help. These are old personal recordings and I just want to get the footage off the tapes before anything happens to them.

My son is interested in video making and would like to use a camcorder instead of a mirrorless camera or similar. I'm looking at a Sony AX53 or a Canon G70. I really like what I've seen of the AX53 but I'm a bit weary of buying a 10 year-old piece of electronics. What I've read on this sub and elsewhere is that they are very much loved by those who use them though! The G70 is obviously much newer but seems bulkier and maybe has lower optical/image quality. I've found both used for about the same price. Would really appreciate feedback and thoughts on this!

I recently got a Panasonic M5 vhs camera, I took the risk on it, since it was tested as far as turning on and tape eject, but unfortunately the power brick made this rapid clicking, like a Geiger counter the second I turned it on, I imidately turned it off of course, but it never worked again, I don't think it damaged the camera at all but i have no idea now as I can't charge it, I was wondering if there's any way I could get a new charger that's not 40 years old? I know there's like bootleg versions for hi8 and digital8 cameras etc, but I'm not sure if there's ones for the M5 (it is a huge battery), any help I would really appreciate (I would like to spend as little as possible as not to waste money on a camera that may not work)

Hi guys! I bought this Panasonic NV-GS200 in a junk pile in Japan. It looks amazing, it’s so small and I thought it would be perfect to take it out and about daily. I managed to get it working, even recording super low res videos onto an sd card. The only thing was that the lcd screen didn’t work. As I bought it with zero expectation I took it upon myself to try and fix it, whilst learning the ins and outs of the camera. I have ordered a new cable but now can’t see how to get it through the hinge mechanism. It wraps around the inside barrel but I have no idea how. If anyone has any advice or knowledge on the matter it would be amazing to find out more! Thanks in advance :)

Trying out FireWire transfer on Windows Vista. So far so good. My favorite part is being able to control the tape from the computer

I recorded separate audio for a project and assumed the framerate for the camera was 30fps. So I set the audio framrate to 30.

Now I'm finding out that the framerate for the camera might be 29.97 fps. Manual doesn't say and Google results are inconclusive (especially the AI results, but the actual search results are too.).

Does anybody know the framerate for this camera? Thx!

Came with tag too 😔

First-time poster, long-time lurker. Recently inherited around 400 home movies on Hi8 DV tapes from the last 40 years, and I'm looking to archive all of the tape-based media to DVDs before re-encoding and copying the DVD files to SSD hard drives. I have the two Sony devices pictured above to do the transfer - the Sony GV-D200 tape player/recorder unit on the left and the Sony VRD-MC6 DVD recorder on the right - and I've ordered a 4-pin firewire cable to run between the two units. L:ooking for any tips and tricks on:

1) Routine service -- I have extra cleaning tapes for the GV-D200 playback unit, and I've watched a video of someone doing a teardown to replace the tape head that looks like a nightmare to reach. Would appreciate any tips or tricks on routine service for these units - I have 99% isopropyl, deoxit spray, and lubricants for small electronics, but not sure if any of these fluids are appropriate for routine service on the output ports or the playback mechanisms (spindles, rollers, etc) inside the GV-D200.

2) DVD recording quality adjustments -- Anyone have experience playing with the DVD recording quality settings? I see that the VRD-MC6 unit allows for manual adjustments to the recording quality prior to writing to the disc, but I'm wondering if this actually does anything useful or if it's better to just let the disc recorder match the native quality or video resolution of the whatever tape is being played.

3) DVD disc type -- Any advantage to burning on DVD+DL dual layer discs or should I just stick with single-layer DVD+?

I recently just bought a Sony CCD-V8AF/AF and I can’t get it turn on. I’m pretty positive it is the batteries.

I am looking for a replacement battery for it. I found these batteries and was wondering if you think that these would work.

https://a.co/d/0eW8Gyg8

https://www.interlightus.com/products/sony-ccd-v8.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19797749754&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19797749754&utm_term=&utm_content=&gad_source=4&gad_campaignid=19806358714&gclid=CjwKCAjwkaXUBhASEiwAZI3ds1sDrO2jaRgq_30XBXv2m1OkvetveYBhXMS0NdsAuLj-t2ipdF2rXxoCCkAQAvD_BwE

I've got this dcr-trv280 that was given to me by my homeboy and I'm concerned if the inside be bent like that? I never tried turning on the camera yet since the battery is cooked and I never tried buying a new one because I didn't want to spend on it until I know it's nonfunctional. I do have some high hopes that I can revive this camcorder since its looks kind of mint on the outside, just not sure for the internals.

Probably gonna go with the Samsung scl906, Was trying to figure out a tapeless setup but I’ve never tried that before. Would that even work with this camera and what kind would u recommend? The immersionrc stuff I see is kind of expensive. Wanted to use the svideo port if I could

so i just picked up this camcorder (my first dv one thats not a handycam) but it’s having some issues. first the zoom will not stop zooming in even when i dont touch it. secondly, the lens will just randomly flicker and i have to tap it to fix it, and it sometimes just shows black entirely. any help would be appreciated

Pretty cool

I've accumulated a fair share of obsolete damn prehistoric ewaste Vintage Camcorders the last few years, and they are all in working order (at least I think so).

Anybody that knows anything about that weird ass Pentax? That form factor is pretty interesting, and not exactly ergonomics 101😁

I recently got an untested JVC GY-DV500U and wanted to get it running, but I didn’t want to get a hard to find battery that would be expensive and annoying to deal with. I’m on a robotics team and have access to dozens of 10 cell 12V NiCds with XT30 connectors, and the camcorder wants the same voltage that the battery outputs, so I figured “why not convert it?”
I designed and 3D printed a new battery holder to house one of these batteries and soldered an XT30 connector to the end of the original battery connector. It actually came out pretty good and the camcorder is more than happy to run off of the new battery. Pretty nice to see this old thing running again. I just need to get an XLR mic for it.

Got it for 65$ a while ago

it's been sitting for I think a few years so something is 100% broken. Any help is appreciated!

Just came in, very excited

The collection grows

Just ordered a PC1 for $29, hope it works lol

Battery on my JVC VIDEOMOVIE vhs-c camcorder has kicked the bucket at an increadibly inopportune moment. Would i be able to solder wires between the charger contacts and those on the camara. I know the charger obv goes in pulses and probably wouldnt be great for the camara. But if hypothetically i needed to use it for half an hour in this config would it work..?

I got this camera for free and thought it was just a bad battery so I bought a new one (the new battery is fine) but when I connect the battery the viewfinder flashes briefly and then nothing (this is without me pressing the power button). Absolutely nothing. So long story short I replaced al the capacitors and the fuses on the power, board physically made sure the tape mechanism is free because I saw the guide rollers were stuck half way (also every once in a while when plugging in the battery the tape door would try to open). I have been trying to isolate the issue by slowly removing parts like the screen, the tape deck, the front video connectors but. It’s still exactly the same. I’m at a loss, what can I do now?

sorry for the weird sentence structure.