Mode Changing...
 

I am experiencing an interesting issue/problem:

On a test tape shot entirely in HDV30p at around the 20-minute mark the deck and the camera stop playing the video. The tape keeps rolling but the image from the deck is blue with slight reddish flashes in brief intervals, while the camera LCD goes black with letters "MODE CHANGING..." flashing across the screen. I waited for a while but nothing happened, the message just kept flashing. I don't believe that I changed the recording mode on the tape while shooting, all I might have done is when the tape was stopped I might have changed the mode to HDV 24p just to look but switched it back to 30p before resuming recording. This gap on the tape lasts about 10 minutes and then all is back and normal. I tried to change of the camera in PB mode to 24p but it didn't change anything.

Anyone experienced this? Any suggestions?

Hi Jiri
 

This happened to me on the very first tape I used about 20 mins in there was no footage and just a blue screen. I was a tad concerned as I ffw through tape. I picked up footage again after about 5mins of blue so not everything was lost. It hasn't happened since so I've kind of forgotten about it but it would be awful if it started to happen more often. I guess try another tape and a few tests. Hopefully, it won't happen again.

Regards Greg C

When I was playing with this camera that became a pretty big concern with me, I actually spoke with some JVC folks about it, they didn't seem to worried. Here's something to try out, it seemed to work for me, after it does the "mode changing" thing and finally get's a picture back, see if you can rewind back to just after the blue came up. when I did that I got most of my footage back but it sure is strange.

This is happening to JVC too. It's just a matter of getting Japan to fix it. This is not acceptable at all. Plug in every other DV/HDV camera made and you will not have this problem. There is no vodoo fast forward, rewind, cross your fingers and capture again solution. It's broken pure and simple.

JVC can send you 100 cameras and they will all do the same thing. (At least any coming from production this year). This needs a firmware update.

I had this also on my first tape ever in the camera. JVC told me to use a cleaning tape and to go from there. Since then it seems OK.

Me Too
 

I had this problem: Camera would go into mode changing and go to STOP. Connect HD. Never could capture anything.
I thought my system wasn't up to the task. 1.53 ghz PC.
So...I built a new system with Pentium Dual Core 2.8 ghz. And now, it seems to be working fine. Haven't tried capturing an entire tape though.

Kelly

This is a FACT!

I have the exact firmware version Tim has and it drops out as soon as you try to use your capture software. I'm using Cineform Connect HD.

I have a work-around in another post here, but it is very inconvienent and requires you to ready your playback and pause before plugging in the firewire.

Any verdict?
 

Hi Guys,

Anyone got a verdict on this mode changing blue screen thing. I was shooting 45 minutes of important footage today only to discover that 2 minutes into the tape is blue with mode changing over the top nothing recorded. I've shot ten hours of footage over the last week which I haven't checked yet and I am now concerned. Does anyone out there know what is causing this?

Cheers guys, Greg C

Greg,

there is no resolve yet. I informed my dealer and he suggested running a cleaning tape through the camera twice and switching to 'dry' lubricant tape stock. I did that and shot another project, this time in SD, and so far the problem hasn't happened again. But it wasn't that many tapes to be really sure that it's okay.

Out of curiousity; what exact tapes are you using? It seems that it's either a matter of tape stock compatibility or some software/firmware bug.

In my case the problem happened on a SONY high grade HDV stock PHDVM-63DM, first tape through the camera. I am not suggesting at all that it's the SONY tapes but I admit I got cold feet after the experience and switched to Panasonic just because JVC and my dealer suggest so. Can't afford to risk it...

strange
 

Hi Jiri,

Thanks for the response mate. My tape stock is the standard jvc prohd 63 me I've never used anything else in the camera so I'm reluctant to think that it's a tape issue. It also happened on the very first tape I ever used as I said in my post this was also a prohd jvc tape. The really strange thing is the first one and a half minutes are fine then suddenly blue mode changing for the rest of the tape. It was right in the middle of a steadicam shot so it was not even a case of stopping and starting in another format and I did not even have my hands on the camera so I can't see how I could of knocked anything by accident. It does give cause for concern. I've now got the daunting task of trawling through 10 hours of footage to check it's ok, wish me luck. I'll let you know the outcome.

Regards Greg C

P.S. How regularly do you use a cleaning tape?

I am not really used to using cleaning tape at all because my previous camera was SONY DSR-500, which I owned for 3 years and I never needed to use it. The general suggestion is to use it when there is a problem, otherwise it's too abrasive for the heads and it shortens their life. Perhaps it's different with this camera...? I don't know. I only used it once, after discovering the problem.

This past weekend I shot some footage with my new camera and the same thing happened to me. 1st tape (JVC PROHD) about three or four minutes in.
I was freakin' out. I ran a head cleaner through and shot a few more tests and haven't seen it happen again. I have a real shoot coming up this week and I hope I don't get bit by this.

Call to JVC
 

Okay then, this sounds like a systemic problem. Hence, I believe that JVC should come in to this discussion and inform us about what they are doing about this matter. As we all know, the possibility of this problem happening on a shoot for a client, particularly if the shot is un-repeatable, means us risking our reputation and loosing clients.

Yeah. This is definitely a problem with some cameras and not tape based. It is most likely firmware based.

I suggest that those who are having the problem keep a detailed log of the conditions when it occurs and maybe we can help JVC build a case file and solve this issue. Write down everything: recording mode, tape stock brand and model, firmware version numbers, operating temperature, moisture conditions, dealer region, etc.

I had a similar problem recently that occured only once, but I thought my camera needed repair. One other person had the exact same symptoms and we sent our information to JVC tech and within a week they had an answer for me. My problem, which I believe was specific to my firmware version (blue screen or pixelated still frame only, with TC, no sound, mid-way through tape) was caused by me pressing REC after loading a scene file and not waiting for the message "COMPLETE!"
I would have never thought of that, but they identified it pretty quickly, and then I breathed a sigh of relief that my camera was not totally screwed and (in my case) it was just me stumbling upon a firmware bug.

So anyway, lets be proactive and collect as much info as possible this week as to the conditions surrounding the problem and then I'll direct the technician I've dealt with in the past to this thread. Maybe JVC already has a case file open.

Details:
 

Good idea Tim.

What happened in my case is that I was recording on the same tape (brand new SONY PHDVM-63DM) continuously over a period of a few days in HDV 30p mode. I didn’t change frame rate or scene files for recording to tape but I was changing it in between just to see. All shooting was done outside in daytime, dry climate, temeratures between 0 and +10 Celsius, mostly sunny, no rain or snow. Filters mostly between 1 & 2 ND, preset 5600K.

When playing the tape back in camera, on the problem spot, which is at around the 20-minute mark, the image just goes to black, while all display indicators stay and TC keeps running and the message “Mode changing...” flashes. In total, there is about 10 minutes of missing video and audio, afterwards, the images, sound and TC are fine to the end of the tape.

When played back on the HD50 deck, the image goes to blue and at 3-4 sec intervals there are very brief flashes or reddish bar in the upper half of the screen. The bar is horizontal and about 1/5 of the height of the screen. If I keep fast forwarding with picture, when it hits the next area about 10 minutes later, it freezes on a frame. If I fast forward without picture, and try to play at around the 10 minute area past the disappearance, it creates this colour pattern (like knitted sweater) and gets frozen in that. Only if I go well beyond the problem spot it starts playing the rest of the tape properly.

My firmware is:
SYS CPU C1590 V0202
CAM CPU C1591 V0202
VRT CPU C1594 V0114
ENC CPU C1187 V0105
*
PACKAGE C1615 V0201
FPGA2 C1595 V0201
FPGA3 C1596 V0101
FPGA4 C1597 V0104

The S/N of the camera is: 15031654

This happened to us as well this last weekend, and it is footage that we can't get back. Has anyone found out how to get the footageback or is it lost completely? And I can give you my numbers if someone can tell me how to get to the menu with the firmware numbers.

Firmware check:
 

I wasn't given this by JVC, found it on the internet so I fee free to share. I believe it's becoming a public knowledge anyway.

WARNING: DO NOT CHANGE ADVANCED MENU SETTINGS

To do this the camera has to be in 24p mode.
1) Hold down the ‘****’ button
2) While holding down ‘****’, press and hold down ‘****’
3) Hold for 5 Seconds
4) LCD should show the ‘Advanced Menu’
5) Select ‘Version Check’

***ADMINISTRATOR NOTE:I edited out the actual buttons. I know that the information might be found elsewhere, but I've been asked by a JVC Pro manager to not let the button configuration out so that it can be googled by just anyone, and I'm going to try to respect his wishes.
Apparently, JVC has had problems in the past with end-users modifying their cameras (other models) and then crashing the computer, requiring JVC technicians to spend time doing a full system reset. My understanding is that some JVC branch offices may not repair your camera under warranty if you screw it up by changing some settings in the ADVANCED MENU or filling the pixel mask memory by running the sequence too many times. This is probably the same reason why they frown upon the end-user installing firmware updates. Tim

SYS c1590 v0202
CAM c1591 v0202
VRT c1594 v0114
ENC L1187 v0105

PACKAGE c1615 v0201
FPGA2 c1595 v0201
FPGA3 c1956 v0101
FPGA4 C1597 v0104
S/N 15031689

My information.

My firmware is:
SYS CPU C1590 V0202
CAM CPU C1591 V0202
VRT CPU C1594 V0114
ENC CPU C1187 V0105
*
PACKAGE C1615 V0201
FPGA2 C1595 V0201
FPGA3 C1596 V0101
FPGA4 C1597 V0104

During the shooting no problems, camera seemed operating well.
I was shooting a theatre show. Normal temperature 20 degrees celsius and normal humidity.
During playback (of my first tape ever), in the middle of a shoot after 20 min.
Suddenly the image goes either in a freeze while TC continues, but most of the time it's a blue screen with Mode Changing...
I have not been in the menu or loading scenes during the shootout at all.
JVC adviced to use tape cleaner on my new camera.
I cleaned and it never did it again... until yesterday.
I was trying out some stored scene settings like Tim mentioned. But I never pressed REC while loading.
I retaped over the bad part, and it works fine again. This is needs to be addressed ASAP JVC.
I tried to trigger the Blue Mode changing with no luck by REC/Stop fast, or entering the menu while Recording, changing WB, etc...I hoped to find a reproducable bug :-(

Interesting. Did you notice that your S/N is only 35 more than Jiri's ????

Marc, how far away is your serial number from Peter and Jiri's?

It looks like you all have the "latest" firmware. This is also very interesting.


If you guys are curious, here are my firmware numbers, but my SN starts with 13 and I have never had the MODE CHANGING issue. I picked up my cameras back in September.

SYS CPU C1590 V0114
CAM CPU C1591 V0106
VRT CPU C1594 V0109
ENC CPU C1187 V0105
*
PACKAGE C1615 V0106
FPGA2 C1595 V0106
FPGA3 C1596 V0100
FPGA4 C1597 V0103

Model GY-HD100E
NO. 16031606

The last numbers are not that different. Maybe my Camera starts at 16xxxxxx because it was shipped for the European market?

The firmware numbers should be available in the normal menu by the way... instead of the secret advanced menu.

Tim, you say you don't see the 'Mode changing'. Not even when you rewind and play the tape? It sais 'mode changing' all the time shortly after I press play again for example.

I've never seen it. Even when I actually do change modes!

I get the Mode Changing thing on our camera when i first play a tape... or if the actual mode changes on the tape - only last about 2 seconds. Never had a problem with it though.

SN 140#####
Firmware:
SYS CPU C1590 V0202
CAM CPU C1591 V0202
VRT CPU C1594 V0114
ENC CPU C1187 V0105
*
PACKAGE C1615 V0201
FPGA2 C1595 V0201
FPGA3 C1596 V0101
FPGA4 C1597 V0104

We just ordered the camera from B&H on about 10 days ago.

Theres also a mode changing blue screen on my camera, it appears when I have different modes on the same tape but it only lasts for 2 seconds and no footage is missed. My HD101 PAL purchased on 20th October in UK has this firmware:

SYS CPU C1590 V0117
CAM CPU C1591 V0108
VTR CPU C1594 V0114
ENC CPU L1187 V0105

PACKAGE C1615 V0108
FPGA2 C1595 V0108
FPGA3 C1596 V0100
FPGA4 C1597 V0103

The VTR CPU is not the original version, I was sent an update later.

Related issue
 

I've had a problem with my HD100 which seems related to this "mode changing" issue. I won't go into details, since I posted it on a thread here earlier (see "Major problem with my HD100", latest addition Feb 21), but basically I lost all audio and timecode, although the video picture continued normally and there was no indication at the time that anything was wrong. I sent my camera to the West Coast repair center, and just got it back today after what they said was a fimware update. The firmware currently (that is, after having it shipped back - I'd never checked before I sent it in):

SYS CPU C1590 V0116
CAM CPU C1591 V0107
VTR CPU C1594 V0114
ENC CPU L 1187 V0105
Package C1615 V0107
FPGA2 C1595 V0107
FPGA3 C1596 V0100
FPGA4 C1597 V0103

SN 13030091

I must say, I'm a bit apprehensive. I'm shooting again tomorrow, and I imagine I'll be hitting the RET button a lot for assurance that I'm actually getting all the signals recorded.

That's what I do after every take and it's a pain in the neck! $%^&$

The only possible update I can see on your firmware is the VTR, all other items seem to be older. That is the same update I made on my to fix a drop on audio and TC after REC-STANDBY-REC sequence.

There is definatly a big difference between the firmware versions then. I just reprogrammed my RET button to be the RET function instead of Focus assist. This weekend I'm shooting a Live event... and I can't say: can you play it again Sam?

My two penneth
 

Hi Guys,

Well I reviewed my eleven hours of footage today and I've lost about an hour in total. Fortunately, there is not too much damage with regard to scenes i.e. I haven't to my knowledge lost any complete scenes only some takes. This will make editing a little difficult but atleast I won't have to try and work out how to reshoot which would have been almost impossible. As Tim said this is a definate problem, so many people have posted that it is obviously not an isolated incident. I'm going to ring JVC tomorrow see what they have to say, in the meantime I would say to everyone check and double check. Take it from me it's not a pleasant feeling knowing you have shot a weeks worth of footage that may be unusable.

Regards Greg

P.S. My firmware stats are on the firmware thread started some time ago now I'll happily post again but not sure if the info in this post will be reoganized to that thread or vice versa please let me know.

Your lucky Diogo I have the exact same camera as you and mine won't tolerate different format recording to the same tape.

Greg

Spoke to JVC
 

Hi Guys,

Well I spoke to JVC today they say it is definately a firmware issue. The tech asked me what my vtr stat was which is 113 he said it should be 114. Now, the camera is going into JVC on Monday morning for a same day firmware upgrade. The problem is 114 is the firmware version that many others have but are still having the problem. I do believe it is a firmware issue but I feel it may not be as simple as the JVC tech thinks. I'm posting my version again here. Please remember it is a 101e so that may or may not account for the differences. I'll let everyone know what they find.

sys cpu c1590 v0119
cam cpu c1591 v0108
vtr cpu c1594 v0113
enc cpu 4187 v0105

package c1615 v0109
fpga2 c1595 v0109
fpga3 c1596 v0101
fpga4 c1597 v0104

Regards Greg

Well, my VTR version is 114 and still I had the same problem. On HD100U, mind you. The challenge will be that when your camera is back, it may function fine (just as mine does now) and this 'mode-changing-video-gone' can rear its ugly head 200 tapes later. Who the hell knows. I really wish that JVC was more up front with us as a group. This dealing one-on-one is nice but then the rest of us always wonder whether we need to worry about our camera or not. It's us who are trying to figure out what is the most recent firmware version. I think it should be JVC posting that info on their site and/or emailing it to registered users whether they have problems or not. And it would be also good to know what they are doing about these issues.

I know, I'll just keep dreaming... none of those big guys will ever do that...

My sentiments exactly Jiri. There seems to be many different versions none of which seem to give a difinitive answer as to A) what causes it and B) what fixes it. However, Tim's version does seem markedly different to most of the others and he says he has had no experience of the 'mode changing' whatsoever. Maybe this is something? I'm going to try and get as much out of the techs at JVC on Monday so I'll report back with any discoveries.

Greg

It seems that the VTR is the only firmware they update. That's the one I loaded into my camera. I've got it here on my PC.

Mines going back too.
 

My rep spoke with JVC and found out that it's definitly a software issue. Apparently they were re-writing some things in order to improve the SSE issue. In doing so the created this "MODE CHANGING" monster.

I lost everything from a shoot I had yesterday. Everyone was crowded around the monitor talking about how awesome the camera was looking, then when we wrapped, talent goes home etc. I hook it up to the G-5 and up pops the "MODE CHANGING' blue screen monster. Yep, lost it all. We are re-shooting today. Anyway after all the drama, the camera is going to JVC's bench first thing tomorrow for a promised quick turn around firmware update.

Council,
Please let us know what firmware version they upgrade your camera to.

Thanks,
Steve

Yes please, keep us informed. I rather deal with a bad SSE firmware until the Mode changing is solved. At least I will have footage.
I hook up currently like today the HDVrack were I can, but for handheld shoots I can't. And the FireStore HD is an too expensive bug-fix for me to make sure I have all my footage.

I just can't understand why mode changing apears when there is only one mode recorded on tape. Did you guys tried to play the tapes on other player? Before I made the update, my VTR firmware was V0113 and that never happened to me. If it's a firmware issue why does it happen to some cameras and to others doesn't?

I see the "mode changing" when I first start to play a tape, but it always plays back without an issue -- so far, that is.

Diogo, it's obviously a random bug -- that's why it happens on some cameras and only sometimes. Let's make sure that we share anything that comes from JVC and compare notes on the current firmware version.