Incompatible Data

Butch Moore wrote on 9/9/2010, 10:14 AM

I have a DV tape, shot in Europe on an unknown camera, that I cannot read. I've tried multiple cameras/players but to no avail.

My Sony gives me an "Incompatible Data" error message. The tape appears to be in excellent condition.

Any ideas as to what format this could be?

Thanks

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 9/9/2010, 10:22 AM

Are you in NTSC territory? The tape is probably PAL. Mid/lower end NTSC camcorders & decks probably won't read PAL tapes.

It might also be DVCAM or HD.

Butch Moore wrote on 9/9/2010, 10:32 AM

That's what I thought...as always, thanks!

ushere wrote on 9/9/2010, 4:32 PM

anyone know why this problem is so one-sided?

dvd / tv / cams in europe and here in aus will normally play back ntsc without any problem whereas american equipment seems 'locked' to ntsc only?

kkolbo wrote on 9/9/2010, 4:55 PM

We are snobs in the US ;-)

smashguy37 wrote on 9/9/2010, 5:40 PM

Funny you posted this, I got tossed a tape today at work that was filmed on who knows what in Europe somewhere and some old Sony VXs and PDs will play the footage (looks like it's widescreen SD or 4:3 LB) and I can hook it up the computer and control it via firewire, but the computer refuses to display an image or capture it. I tried it in a Canon HD cam and it gave me some error message similar to that.

So does NTSC always work over in Europe? I'm very unclear on this, but there are a lot of times I have to make PAL copies at work for clients family overseas and I have to go through the hassle of making a PAL version.

ushere wrote on 9/9/2010, 7:23 PM

don't know about europe nowadays, but here in aus i don't have any problems playing / editing / transferring ntsc at all on most of my consumer / prosumer equipment

@kk - always liked the old definitions:

ntsc - never twice the same colour

secam - something essentially contrary (to the) american method

pal - perfection at last