MiniDV video tape is housed in a small plastic cassette. When it's loaded into a camcorder, the tape is pulled out of the cassette and onto the video head for recording and playback. Sometimes dust and mechanical problems cause tape failure.
Snowy Image
Dust and dirt can clog the camcorder video head, causing banding or a snowy-looking image. Clean the video head with a MiniDV head cleaning cassette or with head-cleaning fluid and a lint-free cloth.
Won't Record
If the camcorder won't start recording, the Record Inhibit tab may be open. Locate the tab on the front edge of the cassette, close it for recording or slide it open to save the footage.
Stops Recording
If the recording stops suddenly, it may be the tape or a camcorder malfunction. To check if the tape's cassette hubs are stuck or the tape is wound too tightly, turn off the camcorder and remove the tape. Restart the camcorder, reinsert the tape and try to fast-forward or rewind. If that does not fix the problem, it is likely a camcorder issue.
Pulled Tape
Open the cassette door using the spring-loaded lever on the side of the MiniDV tape. Unlock the cassette reels by inserting a pencil point or screwdriver into the hole between the white hubs (this takes two people). Carefully turn one of the hubs until the video tape winds back into the cassette.
Cut Tape
If you lift the cassette door and don't see video tape, it has been cut or torn by the camcorder. Splicing the tape back together is very difficult and should be done by a professional. Once it is spliced, it can be copied onto another tape to save your footage.
Tags: video head, video tape, cassette door
