...either that or I should have tested the tape beforehand.

I really DO know better, but it seems I was wearing my dumba$$ cap on both days and didn't bother to check the media. Having said that though, that's the LAST Sony miniDV tape I'm buying. Up until that wedding I used nothing but Panasonic and I'm batting .1000 with them. First Sony I buy because of a sale and see what happens?
I'll see what magic this video store can work on it. :crosses fingers:
I'll cease to hijack the thread now.