USNRET Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 18 years ago when my son was getting ready to view the world my wife wanted a video recorder; I bought a Sony GL-1 and recorded about 40 tapes. I tripped over the digital cable and broke the camera's digital out port. It seemed overly expensive to have the board replaced so it was tossed. Now the wife wants those tapes digitized for viewing. The cost is several hundred dollars so I am looking for some way to transfer the files to my computer. The "players" I find are way too much for a one time us. Ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Unless you know someone with a mini dv camcorder that you can borrow you have a monetary problem. Can you rent a camcorder? JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 My wife has been trying to copy vhs to dvd, but the available machines are in various stages of inop. That and do any of the current players play dvd-r discs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 My Oppo 203 specs says it will play dvd+/-r 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 On 1/11/2020 at 6:07 PM, USNRET said: 18 years ago when my son was getting ready to view the world my wife wanted a video recorder; I bought a Sony GL-1 and recorded about 40 tapes. I tripped over the digital cable and broke the camera's digital out port. It seemed overly expensive to have the board replaced so it was tossed. Now the wife wants those tapes digitized for viewing. The cost is several hundred dollars so I am looking for some way to transfer the files to my computer. The "players" I find are way too much for a one time us. Ideas? What strange timing. I have very little knowledge about Digital Video Recorders. But bought one a while back thinking I needed a "cam corder". I was just cleaning out my closet of valuable "stuff" I can't bring myself to part with. This is my year to truly clean house. It has probably been used for less than 5 hours or recording. I have a Sony DCR-TVR120. Does that by chance fit your needs? I know there are several different formats, so no idea if it will work for you. A quick ebay search and mine is just like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-DCR-TRV120-Digital8-HI8-8mm-Video8-HI-8-Camcorder-VCR-Player-Video-Transfer-/123972069639?hash=item1cdd4fa907%3Ag%3A7SkAAOSwT8ZdS71N&nma=true&si=5geGYBem1UXr3sT76sJasYlbju4%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 If it is what you need (it has a port labeled "DV In/Out") I'll send it to you and you can do whatever transfers you want then you can send it back to me. You will only be out the cost of return shipping. Maybe others, more knowing, can tell us if this will work for your tapes. I have the unit itself, and can probably dig up some cables for it. I can't imagine I would have misplaced the power cord, but right now I just dug out the hand held unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Hi8 is a different format than Mini-DV. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Those tapes from long ago are possibly compatible to do transfer from this unit in question,? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Wondering how crazy this would be: https://www.networksoundandvideo.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 I don't think the tape cartridges are interchangeable. You'll have to find another camera to play them back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 @USNRET Mini-DV is certainly different from Hi8. Mike, check with Walmart. They have a service to convert them. How many tapes do you have, or how much running time for the tapes you have? https://www.dvdwalmart.com/services-and-pricing/videotape-transfer The first 30 minutes is $16, and drops to $7+ for more. That is really a pretty good rate. Especially when you consider they are played back in real time. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 @Marvel Bruce, I have 34 tapes and I THINK they are 60 minute tapes but not sure. One issue I have is not knowing if the tape video quality is still good enough or has degraded to a point I would get nothing. I have found the cost, assuming the charge is per cartridge length not actual content time) runs between $350-$550. May try to buy a used camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 21 hours ago, Mighty Favog said: I don't think the tape cartridges are interchangeable. You'll have to find another camera to play them back. Looked on eBay for camera. May have overlooked one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 1 hour ago, USNRET said: May try to buy a used camera. Or a player... That should be cheaper. You have way more time than money! I imported a bunch of tapes from a GL1.. the real problem is time. A 60 minute tape will take you longer than 60 minutes, doing the import and then cleaning up the ends and getting them back to DVDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 never found a player except $$$$$$ I have placed a bid for a camera on the goodwill auction site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 If you get something, if you still have a blank tape, I would try some video before you put one of your tapes in it. I would hate for it to eat a tape. Do you already have hardware/software to handle the import? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 Good idea. Comes with software and I believe it is Win 10 adaptable based on Ms Google. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Figures........ I just unburied my GL1 to see if it still works, but the tape drive is fubar. The DV out still works so it would be fine going to an external recorder such as a laptop. Even before that, it was getting bad with upcutting. Sorry. 😯 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 They were rather fragile... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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