Player for digital DV cassette

[TZ03R]

hi all, need some help here.

Personally not into video cameras. My family have this old 1997 Panasonic NV-DS5 video cameras that write onto DV cassette tapes.

Brought it back to Panasonic a few times the past few yrs when it failed to playback (we dont use it to record anymore) but recently was told by Panasonic that the player 'head' needs to be changed and it will set up back at least $600.

We were advised to search for DV tapes player instead that will allow us to upload the videos still on tapes to the PC for easier viewing.

Does anyone knows where to get this player?

Thanks in advance.

[palmglove]

Hi,
if it's mini-DV tapes, then you might want to consider getting a cheap mini DV camcorder to playback all your tapes and capture to PC or a DVR. A mini DV playback deck (VTR) is quite expensive (USD 1,000 and above) because they're more for video production use and not for consumer playback use.
I've seen mini DV camcorders go for as low as S$400 in places like harvey norman, courts, best denki etc.

You can view some examples of VTRs here http://www.expandore.biz/product_lis...d=all&start=41

Alternatively, you can get your mini DV tapes transfered to DVD by shops or people offering such a service.

[jaegersing]

Once in a while Audio House advertise miniDV cams for under $300. Or you could pick up a second hand cam in the classifieds section in Clubsnap.

[TZ03R]

yup, it is mini DV tapes.

Thks for all the helpful feedbacks. I guess getting a DV camcorder is the best way forward.

thanks once again

[mm63]

Camera rental is another cost-effective way.

[jaegersing]

Yes rental could be the most cost-effective way. I suppose it all depends on how many tapes need to be captured. If it is only one or two, best to try and borrow a DV cam from a friend. Rental would be the next option, but if you need to capture tapes over a long period, probably buying a cam would be the cheapest overall. Especially if you can get a second-hand one.

[TZ03R]

I have like over 40 tapes over a decade of family travelling to extract.

guess getting a cheap DV camcorder makes more sense in this case.