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Question

How do I get a mini DV tape out of a dead camcorder?

May 30, 2011 11:45PM PDT

Hi guys, I have a panasonic pv- gs 150 camcorder. This camcorder was a gem to me and worked very nicely for years. Recently I was doing some family filming, when my brother was migrating, when i got home I tried to attach the camera to the TV only to realise that old betsy died. My concern is the Mini DV tape inside of betsy. I have scoured google searching for answers to my concern, and no one seems to know if there is some kind of manual mechanism to get mini DV tapes out of dead camcorders. Do any of you techies know any solution? I have tried everything from charging the battery, to connecting the camcorder to the adapter, to resetting the camcorder, same response...no power.
These camcorders need power to eject the tape, so please, help?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
The answer is not out there.
May 31, 2011 7:20AM PDT

And even my answer is unclear to most. I found I had to forget about repair and use anything and everything to get the tape out including small metal cutting snips and of all things a butter knife.

I doubt the procedure is documented anywhere.
Bob

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it seems you're correct...
Jun 2, 2011 6:34PM PDT

Just by the response, I've been gettin on various forums including cnet... I guess the techies wanna keep this one secret, and its been working so far.
I sent it to the repair shop, turned out to be a failed power supply circuit... they serviced it, and its back up and running. whew.