Need to get mini DV tape to digital?

Question

allright, here is the problem, my brother gave me a camcorder that uses a mini dv tape, but when i try to record the contents from the tape to my editing software, it makes these lines across the screen and it is recorded like that, so i need a like vhs player that you put the tape in it and you plug that into the computer and it can record the contents to the computer as a digital format. does that exist?

Answer 1

I'm not sure that it matters, but MiniDV *is* digital.  You haven't said how you're capturing the video.  You need to capture it via firewire - if your PC hasn't already got one you'll need to install a firewire card. They're cheap, easy to install and readily available. You'll also need a firewire cable.

You can't get a VHS adapter - they're only for VHS-C.

<edit>

It looks like you're already doing everything right!  I'd start by cleaning the heads on your camcorder and, if that doesn't work, see if you can borrow another camcorder and try that.  It's possible the corruption is in the tape though. You can get MiniDV decks, but they're more expensive than the camcorders!