Poll: Does your GL2 make a lot of noise when loading/unloading tapes? at DVinfo.net

Michael Naz · February 3rd, 2006, 03:16 PM

I took a look at a used GL2 and really liked it, in fact LOVED the couple of minutes of low light video I got to shoot with it.

The only thing is, while it was very quiet when recording and playing, it made a lot of loud whining electric motor/servo/gear noises when loading and unloading tapes, and also when I'd rewind a tape (only when I first pressed rewind, once it actually started rewinding the tape the noise was gone). The noise was much louder then the rest of the operating noise, and at first I thought it was the sound of electronic death, but everything performed flawlessly and the owner said that it's the normal noise for GL2's and it's been like then since new. It's the only GL2 that I've ever used so I can't compare to another one.

I did a search here and found several threads about this noise so I'm thinking that maybe the owner is right and I shouldn't be worried. I'm hoping some GL2 owners could chime in here on whether they have THE NOISE or not.

Thanks,
Michael

Tom Elliott · February 3rd, 2006, 04:39 PM

If you can, go to a camera store that carries it and let the sales person show you how the camera loads unloads tape. If the same noise then OK. I just never paid attention to that part for I have not been in a situation where it was a problem.
Yours,
Tom

Michael Naz · February 3rd, 2006, 06:05 PM

I was in Brandsmart last night, they have a GL2 on display, but of course it didn't have any power. I might see if I can borrow a battery and go back to Brandsmart to test the display.

Adam Bray · February 3rd, 2006, 06:15 PM

Mine is noisey while loading/unloading tapes and makes the sound you described. I think it's normal.

Alex Beaupre · February 3rd, 2006, 06:19 PM

Yeah mine does too, no big deal.

Len Imbery · February 3rd, 2006, 07:41 PM

Yes, Mine is very noisy when loading/unloading tape and rewinding etc...
Glad it's normal...
Len

James Bright · February 3rd, 2006, 07:47 PM

Yes, mine too is bit noisy! I got used to it now!

Cesar Ruiz · February 3rd, 2006, 07:48 PM

All 3 of my old GL2s were noisy when loading and unloading...big difference from the Sonys which are quiet in this regard.

Dave Ferdinand · February 3rd, 2006, 08:07 PM

Most tape mechanisms are noisy anyway, but the GL2 is quite bad on that, although it's something that never bothered me.

My GL2 is noisy when it comes to any tape operation except play/record.

Shawn Hall · February 3rd, 2006, 08:21 PM

I just un-packed my new XL-2 and when I turn it on, there's a noise in the lens housing - is this normal? The first camera I bought did the same thing and they, canon, sent a new one to no avail. I'm new to the community, looking for the posting icon.

Sorry to change the subject.

SH

Janssen Herr · February 3rd, 2006, 08:27 PM

Yes my XM2 makes a fair bit of noise when loading-unloading a tape. But not much more than any other mini-DV camera which I have used- VX 1000, VX 2000, XL2.

www.janssen.herr.com

Michael Naz · February 3rd, 2006, 11:14 PM

Thanks guys, I guess it does look like it's a normal issue with the GL2/XM2. I really don't mind the noise, I just wanted to be sure that it wasn't a sign of impending faliure.

Alan Craven · February 4th, 2006, 01:38 AM

I have just replaced an old XM1 whose zoom control had died for the second time with a new XM2.

The new machine has a tape transport which is obviously far more robust. It is a lot noisier when loading or unloading tapes, but a lot quiter when the tape transport is running - particularly so on fast rewind.

Tape loading is also quicker, as is switching from standby.

I was told by the supplier (a chain of shops) that Canon recently recalled all XM2s that they had in stock and replaced them with new stock.

Trond Saetre · February 4th, 2006, 05:05 AM

Same with my XM2. Noisy when (un)loading the tape.

(It is exactly the same as with my old Canon MV550i)

Michael Naz · February 4th, 2006, 10:29 PM

I got to play with a display GL2 in a store tonight that actually had power and confimed that it made the same exact loud noise when loading and unloading tapes so it really does look like a family trait. Like I said, I don't mind the noise as long as it doesn't mean a breakdown is on the way so I'm happy.

February 3rd, 2006, 03:16 PM	#1
Michael Naz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	Poll: Does your GL2 make a lot of noise when loading/unloading tapes? I took a look at a used GL2 and really liked it, in fact LOVED the couple of minutes of low light video I got to shoot with it. The only thing is, while it was very quiet when recording and playing, it made a lot of loud whining electric motor/servo/gear noises when loading and unloading tapes, and also when I'd rewind a tape (only when I first pressed rewind, once it actually started rewinding the tape the noise was gone). The noise was much louder then the rest of the operating noise, and at first I thought it was the sound of electronic death, but everything performed flawlessly and the owner said that it's the normal noise for GL2's and it's been like then since new. It's the only GL2 that I've ever used so I can't compare to another one. I did a search here and found several threads about this noise so I'm thinking that maybe the owner is right and I shouldn't be worried. I'm hoping some GL2 owners could chime in here on whether they have THE NOISE or not. Thanks, Michael

February 3rd, 2006, 04:39 PM	#2
Tom Elliott Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 75	If you can, go to a camera store that carries it and let the sales person show you how the camera loads unloads tape. If the same noise then OK. I just never paid attention to that part for I have not been in a situation where it was a problem. Yours, Tom __________________ Tom Elliott - Photographer http://www.tom-elliott-photography.com Studio Phone: 305-251-4315 Miami, Florida

February 3rd, 2006, 06:19 PM	#5
Alex Beaupre Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 80	Yeah mine does too, no big deal. __________________ have you ever wanted something so bad you couldent stop thinking about it? a car, a girl, a skate trick? thats what this video was to me it started as an addiction but turned into an obsession. -Adam Johnson

February 3rd, 2006, 07:41 PM	#6
Len Imbery Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Posts: 106	Gl2 noise Yes, Mine is very noisy when loading/unloading tape and rewinding etc... Glad it's normal... Len

February 3rd, 2006, 07:47 PM	#7
James Bright New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 12	noise Yes, mine too is bit noisy! I got used to it now!

February 3rd, 2006, 06:05 PM	#3
Michael Naz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	I was in Brandsmart last night, they have a GL2 on display, but of course it didn't have any power. I might see if I can borrow a battery and go back to Brandsmart to test the display.

February 3rd, 2006, 06:15 PM	#4
Adam Bray Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston/Austin Posts: 394	Mine is noisey while loading/unloading tapes and makes the sound you described. I think it's normal.

February 3rd, 2006, 07:48 PM	#8
Cesar Ruiz Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 182	All 3 of my old GL2s were noisy when loading and unloading...big difference from the Sonys which are quiet in this regard. __________________ Cana Video Productions, LLC Manchester, NH

February 3rd, 2006, 08:07 PM	#9
Dave Ferdinand Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 359	Most tape mechanisms are noisy anyway, but the GL2 is quite bad on that, although it's something that never bothered me. My GL2 is noisy when it comes to any tape operation except play/record. __________________ Do or do not, there is no try.

February 3rd, 2006, 08:21 PM	#10
Shawn Hall Tourist Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1	XL-2 Noise upon powering up I just un-packed my new XL-2 and when I turn it on, there's a noise in the lens housing - is this normal? The first camera I bought did the same thing and they, canon, sent a new one to no avail. I'm new to the community, looking for the posting icon. Sorry to change the subject. SH

February 3rd, 2006, 08:27 PM	#11
Janssen Herr New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Malmö, Sweden Posts: 23	Janssen Herr Yes my XM2 makes a fair bit of noise when loading-unloading a tape. But not much more than any other mini-DV camera which I have used- VX 1000, VX 2000, XL2. www.janssen.herr.com

February 3rd, 2006, 11:14 PM	#12
Michael Naz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	Thanks guys, I guess it does look like it's a normal issue with the GL2/XM2. I really don't mind the noise, I just wanted to be sure that it wasn't a sign of impending faliure.

February 4th, 2006, 01:38 AM	#13
Alan Craven Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: York, England Posts: 518	I have just replaced an old XM1 whose zoom control had died for the second time with a new XM2. The new machine has a tape transport which is obviously far more robust. It is a lot noisier when loading or unloading tapes, but a lot quiter when the tape transport is running - particularly so on fast rewind. Tape loading is also quicker, as is switching from standby. I was told by the supplier (a chain of shops) that Canon recently recalled all XM2s that they had in stock and replaced them with new stock.

February 4th, 2006, 05:05 AM	#14
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Same with my XM2. Noisy when (un)loading the tape. (It is exactly the same as with my old Canon MV550i)

February 4th, 2006, 10:29 PM	#15
Michael Naz New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	I got to play with a display GL2 in a store tonight that actually had power and confimed that it made the same exact loud noise when loading and unloading tapes so it really does look like a family trait. Like I said, I don't mind the noise as long as it doesn't mean a breakdown is on the way so I'm happy.