Frame dropouts at DVinfo.net

Philip Ulanowsky · February 13th, 2022, 02:39 PM

In case anyone is still following this Vixia forum, I try here first.

I have an SF-200. Yes, I realize it is ancient by today' standards. I used it yesterday for the first time since 2019. It has been safely stored in a camera bag in a closet, barry removed. I was using it on AC power yesterday, recording an interview indoors. While logging the recording in Vegas, there were repeated video frame dropouts--i.e., black frames--, one or two frames, peppered throughout, perhaps 15 over hours of recording. I have never had dropouts with this camera before.

Is this just camera aging? Could it have been the flash card (32GB Sandisk)? Is there a remedy?

Thanks.

Don Palomaki · February 16th, 2022, 03:00 PM

Do you mean FS200?
How were you ingesting the video into Vegas?
Were there breaks in the audio that corresponding to the dropped video?
The breaks are 1-2 frames in duration and 15 or so over several hours of recording?

I've not run into "drop outs" with video from SD/SDHC cards, at least not with cards at or faster than the recommended speeds for the camcorder..

Some possible approaches:
If the dropouts hit both video and audio equally, are they an issue if you cut the bad frames.
If just video perhaps you could create replacement frames via some frame interpolation or blending
Use cutaways to mask the bad frames

Philip Ulanowsky · February 17th, 2022, 09:23 AM

Thanks for your reply.

Watching a Vegas Intro video on the web, I followed the recommendation to change fields to Progressive scan, and applied this. Re-viewing the video, the black frames seem to have disappeared.

Despite my desire many years ago to learn video properly, I have only been able to come at it now and again, and remain lost in the jungle of electronics, though I am not entirely incapable in simple cutting/editing. While I am familiar with the difference between progressive and interlaced, competence is not the word to describe my level of accomplishment.

Don Palomaki · February 17th, 2022, 10:33 AM

Once upon a time things were simple. In the USA for home video there was only NTSC and CRT-based interlaced viewing devices. Computers were not for video, especially home video, and one's choices were essentially VHS or nothing because Beta died. Then came Video8, S-VHS, Hi8, DVD, MiniDV, HDV, Bluray, tapeless recording/storage, several flavors of HD, UHD, plasma, LCD and LED displays, internet streaming video, and the beat goes on.

IMO: if it is a hobby, do what is comfortable and declare victory when you are content with the results.

February 13th, 2022, 02:39 PM	#1
Philip Ulanowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Purcellville, VA Posts: 55	Frame dropouts In case anyone is still following this Vixia forum, I try here first. I have an SF-200. Yes, I realize it is ancient by today' standards. I used it yesterday for the first time since 2019. It has been safely stored in a camera bag in a closet, barry removed. I was using it on AC power yesterday, recording an interview indoors. While logging the recording in Vegas, there were repeated video frame dropouts--i.e., black frames--, one or two frames, peppered throughout, perhaps 15 over hours of recording. I have never had dropouts with this camera before. Is this just camera aging? Could it have been the flash card (32GB Sandisk)? Is there a remedy? Thanks. Last edited by Philip Ulanowsky; February 14th, 2022 at 12:20 PM. Reason: clarification

February 16th, 2022, 03:00 PM	#2
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Re: Frame dropouts Do you mean FS200? How were you ingesting the video into Vegas? Were there breaks in the audio that corresponding to the dropped video? The breaks are 1-2 frames in duration and 15 or so over several hours of recording? I've not run into "drop outs" with video from SD/SDHC cards, at least not with cards at or faster than the recommended speeds for the camcorder.. Some possible approaches: If the dropouts hit both video and audio equally, are they an issue if you cut the bad frames. If just video perhaps you could create replacement frames via some frame interpolation or blending Use cutaways to mask the bad frames __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

February 17th, 2022, 09:23 AM	#3
Philip Ulanowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Purcellville, VA Posts: 55	Re: Frame dropouts Thanks for your reply. Watching a Vegas Intro video on the web, I followed the recommendation to change fields to Progressive scan, and applied this. Re-viewing the video, the black frames seem to have disappeared. Despite my desire many years ago to learn video properly, I have only been able to come at it now and again, and remain lost in the jungle of electronics, though I am not entirely incapable in simple cutting/editing. While I am familiar with the difference between progressive and interlaced, competence is not the word to describe my level of accomplishment.

February 17th, 2022, 10:33 AM	#4
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Re: Frame dropouts Once upon a time things were simple. In the USA for home video there was only NTSC and CRT-based interlaced viewing devices. Computers were not for video, especially home video, and one's choices were essentially VHS or nothing because Beta died. Then came Video8, S-VHS, Hi8, DVD, MiniDV, HDV, Bluray, tapeless recording/storage, several flavors of HD, UHD, plasma, LCD and LED displays, internet streaming video, and the beat goes on. IMO: if it is a hobby, do what is comfortable and declare victory when you are content with the results. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com