Something is really wrong with my xh-a1 at DVinfo.net

Arthur Abramov · March 14th, 2010, 11:54 AM

I'VE UPGRADED MY A1 ADDED THE OPTION OF PAL SYSTEM, I WAS SHOOTING YESTERDAY SD VIDEO 16:9 50i , AFTER THE SECOND TAPE , THE CAMERA PROMPTED ME "THE HEAD IS DIRTY" I KEPT ON SHOOTING TILL THE END OF THE TAPE, LATER CLEANED THE HEAD WITH A TAPE CLEANER FOR 10 SECONDS.

NOW I'M CAPTURING THE TAPES, AND I SEE A FLICKERING HORIZONTAL BLURRED HALF LINE ON THE UPPER-MID OF THE CAMERA SCREEN, BUT NOT ON THE CAPTURED FOOTAGE, THE LAST TAPE I WAS CAPTURING DID HAVE THAT LINE FLICKER ON THE CAPTURED FOOTAGE..

WHAT CAN BE THE PROBLEM??? I BERELY USED MY CAMERA.. ITS NEW,

I I'VE CLEANED THE TAPE TWICE, NOT MORE THAN THAT.

ARTHUR.

Russ Gutshall · March 14th, 2010, 12:42 PM

Hi Arthur,

Not sure why you want to shoot in PAL when you live in NewYork/USA ? But anyway - if your camera is brand new - there should be no need to clean heads this early ! Has your camera received any bumps, drops, bangs, etc. ? Can you take a picture of the LCD screen with this "line" you mention from the tape and post it in this forum - for others to view ? That might help someone determine what is wrong.

Can you "uninstall" this PAL upgrade - by resetting your camera (go to manual and read how) ? And if you get back to factory settings - record some more footage - and see if you get this same image problem ? If you don't get same problem - I would suggest NOT upgrading to PAL - as PAL is for Europe standards recording - NOT here in U.S.

If problem persists - send it back to Canon - it should be under warranty ?

Good luck,

Russ G

Arthur Abramov · March 14th, 2010, 01:17 PM

well i moved to Israel, we use PAL in here , anyway when i record or play HDV recorded footage or record HDV , it doesn't flicker. it's only the SD functions that are now working properly.

Does the camcorder has 2 different heads, i mean one for the SD the other for the HDV.? so my assumtion is that the SD head damaged..?

Russ Gutshall · March 14th, 2010, 02:35 PM

Arthur -- OK - I understand the PAL thing now. I believe there are only 2 recording heads and they record all formats of footage. No separate heads to do SD and other heads for HDV. It sounds like maybe heads are out of alignment - that is why you are getting what you describe - I guess (?) - I suggest sending back to Canon. But I would not clean heads any further.

Each time you clean heads - it wears them - do not make the mistake ever of rewinding your cleaner tape and re-using it again. Buy a new one ! Again - take to or send back to Canon for repairs ?

Allan Black · March 14th, 2010, 04:32 PM

Arthur .. try a camera reset .. check through your manual.
Cheers.

Arthur Abramov · March 15th, 2010, 10:32 AM

Thank you guys, yeah i never rewind the cleaning tape, probably i'll send it back to them for a chech up.

March 14th, 2010, 11:54 AM	#1
Arthur Abramov Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: new york, Israel Posts: 136	Something is really wrong with my xh-a1 I'VE UPGRADED MY A1 ADDED THE OPTION OF PAL SYSTEM, I WAS SHOOTING YESTERDAY SD VIDEO 16:9 50i , AFTER THE SECOND TAPE , THE CAMERA PROMPTED ME "THE HEAD IS DIRTY" I KEPT ON SHOOTING TILL THE END OF THE TAPE, LATER CLEANED THE HEAD WITH A TAPE CLEANER FOR 10 SECONDS. NOW I'M CAPTURING THE TAPES, AND I SEE A FLICKERING HORIZONTAL BLURRED HALF LINE ON THE UPPER-MID OF THE CAMERA SCREEN, BUT NOT ON THE CAPTURED FOOTAGE, THE LAST TAPE I WAS CAPTURING DID HAVE THAT LINE FLICKER ON THE CAPTURED FOOTAGE.. WHAT CAN BE THE PROBLEM??? I BERELY USED MY CAMERA.. ITS NEW, I I'VE CLEANED THE TAPE TWICE, NOT MORE THAN THAT. ARTHUR.

March 14th, 2010, 12:42 PM	#2
Russ Gutshall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canton, GA 30114 Posts: 78	Something Wron XH-A1 after PAL Upgrade -- Hi Arthur, Not sure why you want to shoot in PAL when you live in NewYork/USA ? But anyway - if your camera is brand new - there should be no need to clean heads this early ! Has your camera received any bumps, drops, bangs, etc. ? Can you take a picture of the LCD screen with this "line" you mention from the tape and post it in this forum - for others to view ? That might help someone determine what is wrong. Can you "uninstall" this PAL upgrade - by resetting your camera (go to manual and read how) ? And if you get back to factory settings - record some more footage - and see if you get this same image problem ? If you don't get same problem - I would suggest NOT upgrading to PAL - as PAL is for Europe standards recording - NOT here in U.S. If problem persists - send it back to Canon - it should be under warranty ? Good luck, Russ G __________________ Russ Gutshall

March 14th, 2010, 01:17 PM	#3
Arthur Abramov Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: new york, Israel Posts: 136	Russ. well i moved to Israel, we use PAL in here , anyway when i record or play HDV recorded footage or record HDV , it doesn't flicker. it's only the SD functions that are now working properly. Does the camcorder has 2 different heads, i mean one for the SD the other for the HDV.? so my assumtion is that the SD head damaged..?

March 14th, 2010, 02:35 PM	#4
Russ Gutshall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canton, GA 30114 Posts: 78	Russ G - Canon XLA1 Problems Reply Arthur -- OK - I understand the PAL thing now. I believe there are only 2 recording heads and they record all formats of footage. No separate heads to do SD and other heads for HDV. It sounds like maybe heads are out of alignment - that is why you are getting what you describe - I guess (?) - I suggest sending back to Canon. But I would not clean heads any further. Each time you clean heads - it wears them - do not make the mistake ever of rewinding your cleaner tape and re-using it again. Buy a new one ! Again - take to or send back to Canon for repairs ? __________________ Russ Gutshall

March 14th, 2010, 04:32 PM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Arthur .. try a camera reset .. check through your manual. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

March 15th, 2010, 10:32 AM	#6
Arthur Abramov Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: new york, Israel Posts: 136	Thank you guys, yeah i never rewind the cleaning tape, probably i'll send it back to them for a chech up.