Having trouble with XL1s! at DVinfo.net

David Cummings · May 9th, 2006, 12:16 PM

I haven't put a whole lot of time into figuring this one out so it could be something minor but I have noticed that (quite frequently) the recorded footage sometimes flickers for a moment between light and dark. also, I sometimes see those digital blocks break up the frame every once and a while. Could this just be the tape, the heads, some kind of interferance? I'm not sure why but the flicker is what I'm most worried about. Any help? Please.

thanks, Dave

Andrew Todd · May 9th, 2006, 12:19 PM

only a trip to canon servicing will be able to tell

Don Palomaki · May 9th, 2006, 07:40 PM

Digital blocks at playback may be a sign of dirty heads among other issues, so a head cleaning might help or at least rule that source out.

Not sure what you mean by "flicker." Does it appear in live video as well, or only on playback?

David Cummings · May 9th, 2006, 10:09 PM

I don't notice any problems just viewing from a monitor so I'm sure it's just in playback. The flicker I'm noticing happens mostly when I'm shooting handheld. While I'm viewing the playback, the image will for a moment darken (2-frames maybe)

Do cleaning tapes do an adiquate job of cleaning the heads?

Cole McDonald · May 9th, 2006, 11:01 PM

I use the tapes regularily and I've had no problems w/ my XL1s. It had started to do the blocks thing once, but I ran a cleaner and the problem went away. I believe in them...I think they work better if you use them on a schedule. I use once every 20 hours of shooting or so. I always use the same tapes stock as well.

Craig Chartier · May 10th, 2006, 10:01 PM

all good things must come to an end....Or at least be sent back to the factory for a good cleaning and alignment. under 100.00 and worth it.

Lorinda Norton · May 12th, 2006, 08:30 AM

Under $100? You must know something/someone I don't! :) Even when mine was a baby XL1s, still under warranty, me belonging to the XL1s owners club (oooh!), it cost me $252.00 just to have them check it out and clean it. And that's what it's been every other time, as well. What the heck am I missing?

David Cummings · May 12th, 2006, 08:55 AM

yeah, could you tell me how you get it cleaned for $100. Because I remember thinking it was around $250 too. thanks

May 9th, 2006, 12:16 PM	#1
David Cummings Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: denver, colorado Posts: 80	Having trouble with XL1s! I haven't put a whole lot of time into figuring this one out so it could be something minor but I have noticed that (quite frequently) the recorded footage sometimes flickers for a moment between light and dark. also, I sometimes see those digital blocks break up the frame every once and a while. Could this just be the tape, the heads, some kind of interferance? I'm not sure why but the flicker is what I'm most worried about. Any help? Please. thanks, Dave

May 9th, 2006, 12:19 PM	#2
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	only a trip to canon servicing will be able to tell __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

May 9th, 2006, 07:40 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Digital blocks at playback may be a sign of dirty heads among other issues, so a head cleaning might help or at least rule that source out. Not sure what you mean by "flicker." Does it appear in live video as well, or only on playback? __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

May 9th, 2006, 11:01 PM	#5
Cole McDonald Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sauk Rapids, MN, USA Posts: 1,675	I use the tapes regularily and I've had no problems w/ my XL1s. It had started to do the blocks thing once, but I ran a cleaner and the problem went away. I believe in them...I think they work better if you use them on a schedule. I use once every 20 hours of shooting or so. I always use the same tapes stock as well. __________________ Web Youtube Facebook

May 12th, 2006, 08:30 AM	#7
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Under $100? You must know something/someone I don't! :) Even when mine was a baby XL1s, still under warranty, me belonging to the XL1s owners club (oooh!), it cost me $252.00 just to have them check it out and clean it. And that's what it's been every other time, as well. What the heck am I missing? __________________ Lorinda

May 9th, 2006, 10:09 PM	#4
David Cummings Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: denver, colorado Posts: 80	I don't notice any problems just viewing from a monitor so I'm sure it's just in playback. The flicker I'm noticing happens mostly when I'm shooting handheld. While I'm viewing the playback, the image will for a moment darken (2-frames maybe) Do cleaning tapes do an adiquate job of cleaning the heads?

May 10th, 2006, 10:01 PM	#6
Craig Chartier DVi Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 374	all good things must come to an end....Or at least be sent back to the factory for a good cleaning and alignment. under 100.00 and worth it.

May 12th, 2006, 08:55 AM	#8
David Cummings Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: denver, colorado Posts: 80	yeah, could you tell me how you get it cleaned for $100. Because I remember thinking it was around $250 too. thanks