Why is my mini DV tape the wrong format in my Panasonic PV-GS80 Mini DV ? Aren't all DV tapes the same?

Question

I have used the tape previously in a different Sony camcorder. I know it has footage on it and I am afraid I have lost it. The DV tape is a standard Fuji 60 minute tape. Please help.

Answer 1

The tapes are all the same - but the camcorder may use different encoding methods for video... I know I've had problems with Panasonic cams and wirdescreen, for wexample - Sony does "real" 16:9 widescreen - where as the Panny video did a letterboxed 16:9 inside a 4:3 frame... If the video was recorded on a Panny, then play back in a Panny. If recorded in a Sony, playback in a Sony - this will help reduce format errors.

By the way, if you LOCK the tape, it cannot be written over... Slide the little tab so it is open.

Answer 2

all miniDV is standard.

however miniDV tape is also used for HDV recording. if your tape was recorded in HDV it cannot be played in a normal miniDV camcorder. Also some sony camcorders record in DVCam format which some miniDV players can handle, but not all.