Can someone tell me if something is wrong with my camera? 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 and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog

Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog
Can't find it on the XL1 Watchdog site? Discuss it here.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 12th, 2009, 07:59 AM   #1
New Boot
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Troy, MO
Posts: 8
Can someone tell me if something is wrong with my camera?

I was bowhunting in IL this past weekend. When my camera man filmed my intro Sunday evening I remember seeing the red light so I knew when to start talking. We fimed several minutes of footage in the field that evening. When we got back to camp we hooked the canon xl-1 up to a tv to view the footage but didnt see anything there? I rewound the tape (which had 14 minutes of footage on it prior to that hunt) and the counter stayed blank as if it wasnt even there? After about 15 minutes the first 14 minutes showed back up on the counter but the video had lines all across the screen. 10 miutes later the video from Sunday morning showed up but still didnt have the evening intro or footage. It was in the high 20's but wasnt that cold. Any ideas?
Frank Ellis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 12th, 2009, 08:11 AM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Billericay, England UK
Posts: 4,711
First thing is to test out the camera again right now. Use a head cleaning tape for 10 secs tops.

Use another tape - preferable re-using an old one that you know is good. How does that look and sound?

Then take the dikki tape and play it in a VCR or another camcorder. Still blank?

tom.
Tom Hardwick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 12th, 2009, 09:19 AM   #3
New Boot
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Troy, MO
Posts: 8
your right will start with that tonight.
Frank Ellis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 12th, 2009, 06:17 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Durango, Colorado, USA
Posts: 711
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Ellis View Post
I was bowhunting in IL this past weekend. When my camera man filmed my intro Sunday evening I remember seeing the red light so I knew when to start talking. We fimed several minutes of footage in the field that evening. When we got back to camp we hooked the canon xl-1 up to a tv to view the footage but didnt see anything there? I rewound the tape (which had 14 minutes of footage on it prior to that hunt) and the counter stayed blank as if it wasnt even there? After about 15 minutes the first 14 minutes showed back up on the counter but the video had lines all across the screen. 10 miutes later the video from Sunday morning showed up but still didnt have the evening intro or footage. It was in the high 20's but wasnt that cold. Any ideas?
Yes, definitely run some tests after cleaning the heads.

In my experience, as long as you don't get an error warning message in your viewfinder relating to a tape malfunction, you shouldn't be dealing with any issues that would suggest a need for repair of the tape transport system. I know the "error warning message" is a vague description, but it has been so long since I've seen one I can't quite remember what the message actually says.
However, I believe the manual specifically notes the camera will function normally down to 32˚ F (0˚ C). Below freezing it is a crap shoot. You could be dealing with an operating temperature issue. When I have to shoot outside in below freezing conditions I tape chemical hand and foot warmer packets to the bottom of the camera, the tape compartment, and wrap the camera as much as possible with an insulating material. I use a thick hand towel. If I found myself in this kind of situation more often I would invest in one of those custom made camera covers.
__________________
Waldemar
Waldemar Winkler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 14th, 2009, 01:26 PM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 106
My XL1 behaves similar as Frank's on a cold days. The strange thing is that sometimes it works without problems at -20Celsius and sometimes goes wrong at "only" -10Celsius... Another observation is that the begining of a tape seems to be much more sensitive for a frost than lets say mid-part of it.
Waldi Krasowski 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 and GL Series DV Camcorders > Canon XL1S / XL1 Watchdog

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:12 AM.


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