What is a dropout? (beside a H.S. flunkie)

Is that when signal gets lost or shows up as blocks?

Yeah, that's basically what it looks like, Steve. (Hey, isn't that the "film look"? <g>) It's often attributed to defective or damaged tape substrate.

Well, I sent my XL-1 off to Irvine today. It'll be interesting to see if they manage to fix the "banding" problem. Their first crack at it wasn't successful. I'm guessing, based on the number of similar comments on these forums, that they have had more exposure to the problem by now. I'll update when I get the camera back.

Vic,
Since you've no doubt been deep into researching XL1 problems have you ever heard of the type of problem reported by Nori at the thread titled "Grid Lines" (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1074)?

It's kind of a puzzle.

I saw that one -- it puzzles me too. My problems have usually consisted of 1) No video/audio, even with time code rolling in the viewfinder, 2) Interlaced banding for up to a minute or so, and 3) Video missing for a minute or two and then slowly filling-in with massive pixilation (and associated audio clicks and squeals). Other than that, it's been just fine.....ha!

The grid lines are uncharted water for me -- something else to add to the XL-1 lore. I'll be watching for someone to make an appearance on this one -- if they're lurking anywhere, it's likely to be here.