Thanks Richard. Good idea on the tape (using another) only had the one at the time I first saw it. Should have mentioned too that upon playing back my test footage, the camera noise was quite audible (in all fairness though, we were standing on a patio, not too much ambient noise) so maybe the auto levels were cranked up?

I have had my XL2 for a month now. I have only used Sony tapes and have never heard any tape noise. If your ambient is that low, you can easily edit it to zero in post production.

I think it's the tape transport mechanism is too worn?
 

Thanks Mark. I passed on the XL2 I was going to buy as the footage was really "Blocky" - and I thought the tape transport mechanism was possibly worn (too many hours). Plus the fact my car put me in "financial ruin" breaking down twice on me (towing) and the cost to fix it....... I'll have to wait a bit before I can attempt another XL2 purchase. :(

Finding Drum Hours On Canon XL2?
 

Is there anyone that can tell me how to check my drum hours on my XL2?
I would really appreciate it. I'm selling it and would be able to sell it for more if I could figure that out.

THanks

Only Canon knows the time a camera has been used. Kale your best guess.

Recording timer log..?
 

I wonder if the XL2 has a timer log (or something) that shows how many recording hours the camera has cumulated over time?

-- peer

I asked that question several years ago, and the answer was, NO. I am pretty sure that the definitive answer came from a Canon representative, registered here at DVi.

That's an unfortunate omission, in my humble opinion.

Anyways, thank you Jack.

-- peer