A client occasionally sends me a DV tape. However the person's camera I used to transfer via 1394 Firewire is no longer available. Is there an economical way to transfer the DV tape video to file. I imagine there are lots of these old cams on eBay, What make/model cam or player should I look for. Thanks
I use my old GS250 Panasonic. Recently did a bunch of Hi8 footage using a Sony TRV model.
For mini DV I suggest a ZR series Canon, which can be found for as little as ten bucks at Goodwill. CCD doesn't have to work, just the transport. Clean the transport very well and use a head demagnitizer. You need a FireWire computer input to capture.
If it was, in fact, DVCAM shot on mini DV, you will need something like XHA1 camcorder, which are almost impossible to find.
Hint: The ZR also has analog input and a/d passthrough, for those occasional Video 8 and Hi 8 (analog) tapes that may pass your way.
Depending upon how much you want to spend, you can get this DVCAM player (plays most formats of DV video) for $189.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Digital-Video-Cassette-Recorder-DSR-25-DVCAM/223491139006?epid=1203566416&hash=item34091c25be:g:ZHgAAOSwJEhcvfJU
(I have no relationship with the seller so cannot vouch for validity of the claims made in the description on EBAY)