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As my friend gmjhowe recently pointed out, Mini-DV and pretty much all other tape formats are on the edge of being entirely replaced by internal and card memory systems. However, I figure a few people may run across a similar situation with a broken tape, and thought documenting this process may prove valuable if you have an old tape break that is the only remaining copy of a wedding, graduation, or other important event you want to save.
This process is also pretty much the same for other kinds of tapes like VHS and VHS-C, D8, etc. The only real difference is the bigger tapes won't require a precision (aka jeweler's) screwdriver. In this case, my employer had some footage mailed to us, and the tape was smashed in the mail. With the protective casing busted, the machine would just spit it back out and not engage the tape head.
What you need:
1.) small screwdriver
2.) original busted tape
3.) new donor tape
4.) pen flashlight
This process is also pretty much the same for other kinds of tapes like VHS and VHS-C, D8, etc. The only real difference is the bigger tapes won't require a precision (aka jeweler's) screwdriver. In this case, my employer had some footage mailed to us, and the tape was smashed in the mail. With the protective casing busted, the machine would just spit it back out and not engage the tape head.
What you need:
1.) small screwdriver
2.) original busted tape
3.) new donor tape
4.) pen flashlight
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Signing UpStep 1Remove Reel from Casing
Basically what we're doing is taking the reel from the broken case and replacing the new reel in our donor casing. Most Mini DV tapes have four tiny screws located on the underside of the casing located near the four corners. Carefully remove these four screws without letting the tape fall apart and exposing the insides.
On this particular case, the tape had no screws to remove and was either tabbed or glued together. I carefully broke the casing apart taking special care not to cause damage to the tape by way of wrinkling, crinking, stretching, poking, handling or otherwise touching the reel. At this point in the second picture I was able to pull out the left part of the reel. With half of the tape removed, getting to the other half was quite a bit easier. When the reel is entirely removed, I suggest winding all the tape to the left reel (thus fully rewinding the tape).
On this particular case, the tape had no screws to remove and was either tabbed or glued together. I carefully broke the casing apart taking special care not to cause damage to the tape by way of wrinkling, crinking, stretching, poking, handling or otherwise touching the reel. At this point in the second picture I was able to pull out the left part of the reel. With half of the tape removed, getting to the other half was quite a bit easier. When the reel is entirely removed, I suggest winding all the tape to the left reel (thus fully rewinding the tape).
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I read the "careful with small bits" line too late, though, and opened the donnor one on the wrong side, but in the end managed to put everything in the right place by copying the layout from the old one. Took some photographs, though, so if anyone would need them, let me know and I'll be happy to send them to you.
Cheers,
Maria.