Drop-Out Problems - asking for advice at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL H Series HDV Camcorders

Canon XL H Series HDV Camcorders
Canon XL H1S (with SDI), Canon XL H1A (without SDI). Also XL H1.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old October 23rd, 2007, 08:17 PM   #1
Tourist
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Berlin, Germany
Posts: 2
Drop-Out Problems - asking for advice

Hello there,

I am new here and hope anyone can help me.

I am currently shooting with the XL-H1. 25F Mode/ PAL and use Panasonic AY-DVM63AMQ tapes.

Now, after looking at the latest rushes (tape 11-14) it seems like I have serious drop out problems. The picture freezes and when it starts running again the timecode jumps about two seconds. Sometimes even up to four seconds. It's not on all the tapes, some of them are completly fine and others are partly "destroyed". The drop-outs seem to be more within the beginning of the tapes.

Options I am considering:

- using a cleaning tape and test to shoot again with my stock....(already used the cleaning tape)

- Changing the tapes although I had good expierience with them in the past and never have heard anything bad about them.

- Getting the camera cleaned professional by Canon

Question I am having:

- Is there anything else which could cause the dropouts?

- Could it be something completly different and I am on the wrong track?

Any advise & help given would be great!

--------------------------------------

Marcel Reategui
Marcel Reategui is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 23rd, 2007, 09:28 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 463
You definitely need to consider a regular cleaning interval for the camera. You can wait till a deck shows problems because you won't miss anything. But a camera can go for some time before you get the dreaded RF warning. DV tapes are notorious for causing build-up on the equipment's tiny heads.

I've started making it a practice to run a cleaning tape pass after every 24 hours on the heads. And, I've recently switched to Sony HDV tapes after numerous drop-out issues with JVC Pro and HDV. A colleague of mine reports nary a drop-out on Sony HDV stock after hundreds of tapes, so I'm giving it a try. Make absolutely sure that you clean the heads before switching stock, too.
Eric Darling is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 23rd, 2007, 10:07 PM   #3
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: perth west australia
Posts: 12
Hi there, I was having the same problem and did all my head cleaning and tape changing to no avail. In the end I had canon service the cam and they found the heads were clogged somewhat and that the tape path was not true. Both were fixed and from now on I intend to have regular servicing from canon.
Glenn Taylor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 25th, 2007, 12:20 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 402
I don´t recomend using cleaning tapes too often, it´s a bit like using sanding paper on your heads. The put a lot of wear on yor heads
I was told this by a trusted tech person
Joachim Hoge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 27th, 2007, 09:43 AM   #5
Tourist
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Berlin, Germany
Posts: 2
Hi there,

first of all thank you for the quick answers!

As I said I used a cleaning tape and tested the camera again. Nothing changed. The problem even got worse.
Yesterday (after some travelling days) I was at the official Canon support and they cleaned the heads within half an hour. A quick test and a longer one later that day showed no more drop-outs. I will be filming tomorrow and hope nothing more happens.

Since the camera is from a rental house I don't really know for how long the camera (heads) have been used. And they couldn't tell me either.
So I am plannining to get new heads for the camera upcoming tuesday since we will be travelling to more remote places within the next five weeks and I probaply will not have the same support availible.

Has anyone experience with changing the heads? Is there anything to watch out for when I get the camera back?

Thank you
Marcel Reategui is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 27th, 2007, 08:55 PM   #6
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Augusta Georgia
Posts: 5,421
Dear Marcel,

When changing out the heads on a camera, when properly done, the only concern would be alignment. But, if properly done, this should not be a problem.

I would take a tape, recorded before the head change, and then immediately test it to see that the tape will play back properly after the head change.

You may be able to record a test tape before you send it in, then include it with the camera, with a note for them to test it after the head change.

However, the Canon Factory Service people are very qualified, there should not be a problem.
__________________
Dan Keaton
Augusta Georgia
Dan Keaton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 29th, 2007, 09:11 AM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Vittsjö, SKÅNE, SWEDEN
Posts: 266
Tapes

Hi Marcel,
Because the camcorder is from a rental house you probably don't know which tapes have been used in the XL H1.

Some tapes have dry lubricants (the one you use) and others have wet lubrication (Sony).

Many people around here say you should never mix those types in the same tape mechanism.

I'm using the same Panasonic tape. This decision was based upon a lot of information.
Once in about 30 tapes I got one short dropout. Then I run a cleaning tape and then I didn't get any more problems during the next 40 tapes or so.

You can look around the forum "The Long Black Line" to learn more about this.

I guess a manual cleaning could remove deposits better than by a cleaning tape.

Good luck!
Johan Forssblad is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XL H Series HDV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:21 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network