Hitachi Camcorder Problems « Videomaker Community Forums

nobody
Member

New to the forums. I've been transferring video to PC since 1998. Trying to see if anyone has heard or experienced this problem.

I have a Hitachi Digital 8 Camcorder; Model No. VM-D865LA. Recently it has started a image tearing problem. Basically the left side of the screen will get three to four lines (varies) of what looks to me like digital noise or tearing. I thought maybe it was bad tapes, but even brand new tapes show the problem. It does it whether on AC or DC power.

Now I'm thinking maybe the heads need cleaning, but unsure if that will even remedy the problem. I've had the camcorder for two years, replacing a JVC VHS-C Camcorder and have been happy without thus far.

TIA for any hints or advice.

Mark

Posted 8 years ago #
cfulton
Member

Welcome to the forums! Is this occurring while you are playing analog or digital tapes? Or both? -Charles Fulton, Associate Editor, Videomaker Magazine

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

Thanks for the welcome. Right now I'm using JVC HMP120 tapes. They are Hi-8 tapes which are advertised as perfect for Digital. But looking through some of my tapes I have I noticed the Sony's have a D8 branded on them and the JVC's don't.

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll get some branded Digital 8 tapes and see if that makes any difference.

Posted 8 years ago #
cfulton
Member

Actually, I wasn't referring to the media, but rather the video that's recorded on the media. For example, if analog video (i.e. from a previous 8mm-family camcorder) is having this problem but digital video (i.e. video recorded on this camcorder that, when played, causes the D8 indicator in the viewscreen/viewfinder to appear) isn't, then that will be useful information for your service provider in isolating the problem. "Digital8" labels on media strike me as misleading, since D8 is really not much more than a data format (which requires some additional smarts in the camcorder, i.e. the DV codec, the FireWire connection, the drum that can spin at 4500 rpm and the tape transport that can operate at twice the speed of analog SP-mode). -Charles Fulton, Associate Editor, Videomaker Magazine

Posted 8 years ago #
nobody
Member

Oh Ok... got you. I don't have any Hi-8 analog tapes to test it with. Maybe I could see if anyone at work has any and I could see what the playback looks like on my camera.

I do know that the problem is no better or worse if I switch the audio from 12 bit to 16 bit, which I initially thought was the problem. It's a bit frustrating because I bought this camera to easily transfer videos to the PC so they could be burned on VideoCDs/DVDs for distribution to the family. It's a great camera other than this problem that's developed.

I tried searching on the web to see if I could find anyone with similar problems, but had no luck. Hitachi's website isn't much help either. I'm going to try and find a head cleaner and see if that does anything. I know that sometimes I could get rid of the tearing by ejecting the tape and spraying some compressed air on the tape and inside the bay, but even that doesn't seem to work anymore.

Posted 8 years ago #