Problem capturing DV; random stops and "no video" error. Please help!

Question

I'm trying to import about 15 minutes of DV recorded in late 2005. During capture (using Capture Now...) the capture fails during each attempt at different times (13 minutes, 11 minutes, 30 seconds, 6 minutes). The error message is, "This operation could not be completed as there is no video."
If I watch the capture, right before this error message, the camcorder stops playing and starts stepping back frame by frame. The capture window says something like, "Searching for timecode." Then after a minute or so, it starts stepping forward frame by frame. Then, after this happens for a minute, the message in the capture window changes to, "Cueing source material." The camcorder starts to play again. I think what SHOULD happen is the capture resumes. But the capture video preview window remains black, and after a few seconds I get the error message.
When I watch the tape (without capturing) I can't discern any drop outs on the tape, although I guess they could be there after 4 years. But if that is the case, why does this problem occur at a different point each time?
I tried turning off the preference to "abort capture on dropped frames" but that had no effect.
I'm using a Canon GL2, DV-NTSC Firewire Basic, and the system noted below.
FCE version 4.0.1.
Any help would be most welcome.
Message was edited by: Anthony M Kassir MD

Answer 1

Let me summarize the problem so far.
1. When capturing DV, FCE behaves as if there is a time code break (when there isn't one) at random points on the tape. This may occur anywhere on the tape, even at the very beginning.
2. When this occurs, FCE will roll the tape back and then forth, looking for the break, as expected. (It doesn't roll back if the tape is at the beginning, obviously.)
3. After a minute, FCE is getting ready to start the capture again, and says "cueing source material."
4. The camcorder starts playing the tape again, but the capture video preview window in FCE remains black, as if there is no video signal.
5. After a few seconds, while the video on the camera is still playing, FCE gives the error, "This operation could not be completed as there is no video."
Observation: The problem occurred much more frequently when capturing DV from a Canon GL2 directly to a LaCie disk on the same Firewire bus, even though the camera is attached via Firewire 400 and the drive via Firewire 800. Capturing to an internal (non-boot) media hard drive does not solve the above problem, but the problem occurs less frequently.
Does the above description suggest any particular explanation of what is going on? I wonder if FCE is corrupted? Should I try reinstalling FCE?
Thanks.