[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[Asmund Voll Tesdal] “get a video splitter (aka video distibution amplifier or vda) “

This one works great.

https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103065

Use the “S-Video” for higher quality image.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Ref Video (Reference) SYNC input (75 ohm load ON, if no “loop-thru” is used.)

Set the sync (Menu) to External.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Try playing the tapes in a deck or another camcorder, then report back.
Borrow one from someone (you can use any home video DV camcorder to play them) or take the tapes to a professional production house (call them first) and see what they can tell you there after they
checks some of your tapes.
It does sound like you have problems with the camcorder heads,

But, I caution you to stop using the head cleaner at this point.
You could permanently damage the camcorder heads.
If it IS a head problem, you may need professional service help,

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

1-The footage was close to the beginning of the tape and I have gone Rewinded and fast forwarded it numerous times and nothing.
2-I am sure I did not skip ahead anyways after I watched it.
3-Has this happened to anyone else?
4-could there be a switch in the wrong place? the tape looks fine.

I will first assume that you are actually looking at the correct tape.
(Are you SURE you didn’t change tapes after playing it the first time?)

1-You are likely mistaken about that.
2-See answer #1.
3-Not really.
4-Nope.

Here’s what you should do:

Rewind the tape all the way.

Hit PLAY and simply watch the tape all the way through.
When you find the footage you’re looking for, write down its Timecode.

It is my GUESS that you inadvertently recorded this footage well into the tape (not near the beginning.)
It might be PAST some of what looks like “nothing” (blank section of tape.)

Be sure and post back with what you find.

Good luck!!

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

You need new friends.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

32K?

48K?

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[Langley Bowers] “I don’t understand how it could be a problem with the tape when it plays back perfectly on the camera! “

32kHz 12 bit?

48kHz 16 bit?

Although I have never has problems,
even with mismatched audio sampling between the tape and the timeline.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[Dmitriy Dribinskiy] “I heard that if I pass 20′ with RCA cables, it would start picking up RF interference.”

That’s not always the case. You may not pick up RF or hum, but you COULD.

To diminish this, convert the UNbalanced RCA output to BALANCED using a transformer* at your end, and send it to the DJ’s audio board over a balanced mic cable.

* https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062443
This is one, you’d need to adapt the RCA to the 1/4″ phone plug for this unit.

Or, (better yet) send your RCA audio into a small active mixer** that has a balanced output.
Run that mixer’s output to the DJ’s audio board.

** https://www.audiolines.com/product.php?productid=15787

** https://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Xenyx-802?sku=631263

** https://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Xenyx-1202?sku=631265

Just examples. There are many more from many mfg.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[Langley Bowers] “do I have to sit and manually escape from the capture every 7 minutes? “

Type-in IN and OUT points for the entire tape that are for durations of 7-10 minutes BEFORE you capture.

Then. BATCH CAPTURE the entire list.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Capture all raw footage in “under 10 minute” (or “under 7 minute” ) clip lengths.