The tape is set for erasure prevention at DVinfo.net

Logan Kellar · July 9th, 2007, 03:03 PM

Hello, I have a problem with my xh a1, well first I have this horrible grainy issue in places that don't have enough light, but thats for later on my next problem is, why does the camera say The tape is set for erasure prevention, and won't let me take any footage? It seemed to happen after I used HDV split any suggestions, heres a pic of the grainy...
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1106/img0277ya6.jpg
[img=http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1106/img0277ya6.th.jpg]
The grainy isn't as noticeable when taking movies but its still there. Do I need to RMA this camera.... because so far its a piece of junk :(

Bill Pryor · July 9th, 2007, 03:13 PM

That appears to have been shot at a high gain. Unless you're doing TV news, you really don't want to shoot at anything over a +3 or +6 db with any camera. Have you turned off all the automatic stuff? When I got my camera out of the box, everything automatic was on--auto iris, auto shutter, auto gain, auto focus. First thing to do is make sure the auto gain and auto shutter is off.

If you're getting the message the tape is set for erasure prevention, then it is probably true. Pop the little erasure prevention tab back into the recording position.

Logan Kellar · July 9th, 2007, 05:53 PM

Err nm ignore this post

Logan Kellar · July 9th, 2007, 05:55 PM

Also where is that erasure switch I dont see it?

Logan Kellar · July 9th, 2007, 05:59 PM

I looked at my gain settings they were at +12... I think that was my problem, I'll compare the photos later right now its counter strike time :)

Logan Kellar · July 9th, 2007, 07:38 PM

So I set the settings to -3 but its still grainy but looks better nonetheless

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/294/img0285yr4.jpg

Don Palomaki · July 10th, 2007, 06:31 AM

The erase prevention tab is on the spine of the MiniDV cassette, is slides to open/cover a recess in the cassette that the camcorder senses to allow recording or protect (between locekd and unlocked). The cassette typically has icons showing locked and unlocked.

You maybe able to better manage the apparent grain issue using custom presets. See the custom presets theads.

Bill Busby · July 10th, 2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan Kellar

So I set the settings to -3 but its still grainy but looks better nonetheless

Turn AUTO GAIN Switch OFF!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan Kellar

Err nm ignore this post

I believe I will :)

Bill

Logan Kellar · July 12th, 2007, 05:23 PM

Where is this holy gain switch you speak of? and what custom preset woudl you reccomend

Logan Kellar · July 12th, 2007, 05:33 PM

I found a switch called agc I took a before and after shot is this that switch?
Before http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2250/img0306ji0.jpg
After (as in off) http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6776/img0307se9.jpg

Don Palomaki · July 12th, 2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

and what custom preset woudl you reccomend

Depends on what effect you want to achieve. Read, and experiment. If shooting in poor light is your thing, try the low light one as a starting point.

Oren Arieli · July 13th, 2007, 12:40 AM

May I suggest referring to the instruction manual? (I'm not saying this to be rude, or mean).
Its a last resort for most of us, but I'm a former network cameraman with 18 years of experience on various rigs...and I'm still learning the XH-A1's quirks.

David Chia · July 13th, 2007, 12:52 AM

if you don't like reading the book.
Spend some money and get the Vasst DVD. : inside the Canon XHA1 & XHG1

It helps you understand the camera alot more. It covers the basic and advance setting of this camera.

You get a 10% discount if you use the dvinfo discount.

July 9th, 2007, 03:03 PM	#1
Logan Kellar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 13	The tape is set for erasure prevention Hello, I have a problem with my xh a1, well first I have this horrible grainy issue in places that don't have enough light, but thats for later on my next problem is, why does the camera say The tape is set for erasure prevention, and won't let me take any footage? It seemed to happen after I used HDV split any suggestions, heres a pic of the grainy... http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1106/img0277ya6.jpg [img=http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1106/img0277ya6.th.jpg] The grainy isn't as noticeable when taking movies but its still there. Do I need to RMA this camera.... because so far its a piece of junk :(

July 10th, 2007, 06:31 AM	#7
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	The erase prevention tab is on the spine of the MiniDV cassette, is slides to open/cover a recess in the cassette that the camcorder senses to allow recording or protect (between locekd and unlocked). The cassette typically has icons showing locked and unlocked. You maybe able to better manage the apparent grain issue using custom presets. See the custom presets theads. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

July 9th, 2007, 03:13 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	That appears to have been shot at a high gain. Unless you're doing TV news, you really don't want to shoot at anything over a +3 or +6 db with any camera. Have you turned off all the automatic stuff? When I got my camera out of the box, everything automatic was on--auto iris, auto shutter, auto gain, auto focus. First thing to do is make sure the auto gain and auto shutter is off. If you're getting the message the tape is set for erasure prevention, then it is probably true. Pop the little erasure prevention tab back into the recording position.

July 9th, 2007, 05:53 PM	#3
Logan Kellar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 13	Err nm ignore this post

July 9th, 2007, 05:55 PM	#4
Logan Kellar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 13	Also where is that erasure switch I dont see it?

July 9th, 2007, 05:59 PM	#5
Logan Kellar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 13	I looked at my gain settings they were at +12... I think that was my problem, I'll compare the photos later right now its counter strike time :)

July 9th, 2007, 07:38 PM	#6
Logan Kellar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 13	So I set the settings to -3 but its still grainy but looks better nonetheless http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/294/img0285yr4.jpg

July 12th, 2007, 05:23 PM	#9
Logan Kellar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 13	Where is this holy gain switch you speak of? and what custom preset woudl you reccomend

July 12th, 2007, 05:33 PM	#10
Logan Kellar New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA Posts: 13	I found a switch called agc I took a before and after shot is this that switch? Before http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2250/img0306ji0.jpg After (as in off) http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6776/img0307se9.jpg

July 13th, 2007, 12:40 AM	#12
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	May I suggest referring to the instruction manual? (I'm not saying this to be rude, or mean). Its a last resort for most of us, but I'm a former network cameraman with 18 years of experience on various rigs...and I'm still learning the XH-A1's quirks.

July 13th, 2007, 12:52 AM	#13
David Chia Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 427	if you don't like reading the book. Spend some money and get the Vasst DVD. : inside the Canon XHA1 & XHG1 It helps you understand the camera alot more. It covers the basic and advance setting of this camera. You get a 10% discount if you use the dvinfo discount.