What is wrong with my MiniDV camcorder?

Question

It records fine, but when in playback mode the audio skips a lot. I haven't been able to try the tape on another camera yet. It worked fine for 2yrs and stopped using it for a couple of months. When i finally used it again it started doing that. It plays the audio for 2-3 seconds and then its silent for about 3-8 seconds and repeats. Is it dirty, broken or does it have to do with the LP/SP mode?

Its a JVC. It was the cheapest one at best buy.

real help please, i don't want to hear "you get what you pay for"

Answer 1

i would agree that it might need a good head cleaner, but only use a JVC head cleaner, because different manufactures use different types of materials (some are wet, while others are dry).

Take a look at the tape that you recorded and see if the edges of the tape are damaged.  The reason I say this is that the audio portion of your tape is recorded onto the very edges of the tape. If that doesn't work then I would suggest taking it to a  video repair shop in your area.  

also know that if you take it to a repair shop, it may cost more than it is worth to fix it.  Try the head cleaner first

Answer 2

As well as cleaning the heads, see if you have the same problem on your PC with captured video.  If it's only the playback that's affected you may be able to live with it.

Answer 3

Hey Angel,

First, try cleaning it with the a Head cleaner, if that does not work , take it in to your local repair shop and see what they say, sometime after not using a camera for some time, causes all sorts of malfunctions...