How can I watch my old MINI DV tapes?

Hi Brian:

Just like with an old VHS cassette collection, you need a tape player (VCR) or a camcorder to play back a tape! That's the only way to "read" a tape.

But unlike the small VHS-C camcorder tapes, there is no "VHS cassette adapter" to use for MiniDV (nor the older 8mm cassettes). These have different tape widths and recording methods.

There are tons of used MiniDV camcorders (and some MiniDV VCR decks, though not as common) for sale on eBay, and at pawn shops. (Not too many show up at thrift stores like Goodwill, but occasionally they do.)

I've personally spent between $25 - $75 USD each for the consumer MiniDV camcorders I own. Some were eBay bargains, and others were from school districts that were replacing/upgrading their equipment. MiniDV VCR decks were very expensive when new, and still have high demand when sold used, so they aren't as cheap (not as many were made as the camcorder models, so "supply and demand" steers the pricing).

Your other option is to use a "tape-to-DVD" service, either mail-order or via WalMart (which has partnered with YesDVD). WalMart charges $20 for two tapes (up to two hours) transferred to DVD. And surprisingly, they offer MiniDV & Digital8 transfer service, as well as the usual analog tapes (VHS, VHS-C, BetaMax, 8mm Video8 & Hi8). If any of your classmates or video friends went into the "wedding video" business, they (or another pro photographer) might work out a package deal to transfer all your tapes.

If you have a lot of tapes in your shoebox, it might be cheaper to buy a used camcorder. I'd recommend sticking with the same brand (and model, if possible) that shot the original footage. The main reason being, if you shot any at the slower "LP" speed, some camcorders (and decks) won't playback LP speed tapes (SP only).

And the other cautionary note is to make sure your high school did/didn't have "HDV" (JVC/Sony) or "DVCPRO" (Panasonic) camcorders, since regular (standard def) DV-only units won't play back HiDef or the professional DVCPRO MiniDV tapes.

And if you shop the pawn shop route, you can take a tape cassette with you & "try before you buy".

Careful checking of the manufacturer's specs online, especially if you buy used gear online, will help prevent getting an incompatible unit.

hope this helps,

--Dennis C.

Walmart Camcorder

Camcorder Walmart

watch mini dv tapes: https://bitly.im/c1/how-can-i-watch-my-old-mini-dv...