GS400 tape mechanism noise in soundtrack at DVinfo.net

Tony Playfair · September 27th, 2004, 10:33 AM

Testing out my GS400 I can hear a sort of low level flapping sound when playing back a tape with a very quiet background (no people talking, etc.)
If I hold my ear up to the tape transport during recording I can hear the exact same sound. Seems like this tape transport warble (flapping) sound is being recorded on the soundtrack. This occurs with 4 different types of MiniDV tape.
Panasonic Pro, TDK, Maxell, Panasonic standard tapes.

Any suggestions on what to do?
Anyone else hear this on their's? Give it a try with no sound in the room, then play it back.

Craig Bartelloni · October 14th, 2004, 09:37 PM

I just noticed it with mine to, have you been able to fix it.

Tony Playfair · October 14th, 2004, 10:46 PM

No, I haven't done anything to fix it yet. B&H emailed me to say to call Panasonic and see what they say.

I may just use an external mike. Haven't decided yet. Another guy on the camcorderinfo.com forums has decided to send his in to Panasonic. I'm waiting to hear from him to see if they can fix it. Sounds like a tape transport tracking/tension adjustment if you ask me.

Tony

Raimo Repo · October 16th, 2004, 09:10 AM

Jeff Keller in his review of the Gs400 found no motor noise whatsoever. www.dvspot.com/features

Tony Playfair · October 16th, 2004, 10:50 AM

Hi Raimo Repo
Your right, it's not motor noise, it's the sound of the tape moving over the video heads during each revolution of the spool.

Tony

Craig Bartelloni · October 16th, 2004, 09:15 PM

I have noticed it gets better if i turn down the agc.

Craig Bartelloni · October 19th, 2004, 06:53 PM

Well I just sent mine back for replacement. Let's see if the new one iI get is better.

Craig

Tony Playfair · October 19th, 2004, 07:08 PM

Craig
Where did you buy it from?

Tony

Frank Granovski · October 19th, 2004, 08:11 PM

Quote:

This occurs with 4 different types of MiniDV tape. Panasonic Pro, TDK, Maxell, Panasonic standard tapes.

Maybe that's the problem. Clean your heads and stick with one good brand/model tape.

Tony Playfair · October 19th, 2004, 10:59 PM

Hi Frank
This started from the first minute I tried out the camcorder. First tape was the TDK. I then tried the others, recording for only 30 seconds per tape. All had the same thing happening. It's how the camcorder is handling the tape. I tried these same tapes in my TRV900 and no problem.

I haven't cleaned the heads though. I suppose a brand new cam can have dirty heads but it doesn't show in the picture, it's pristine.

Tony

Frank Granovski · October 20th, 2004, 06:04 AM

It was just a suggestion. I found that with new cams you should clean the heads first---play a cleaning tape for about 5 seconds. Then stick with one tape brand/model. I use Fuji. If that doesn't solve the problem, contact your dealer to have it exchanged.

Craig Bartelloni · October 22nd, 2004, 09:18 PM

I bought mine from ebay user hotdigital/focus camera.com

I returned it Monday and just got a new one today, that sounds much better.

Craig

Raimo Repo · October 29th, 2004, 02:47 PM

There was tremendous hype about the GS400 before its advent but for me there has been precious little info about its performance in the hands of forum members. Now we hear about tape transport noise as a problem with the Gs400. There are many reports now on other forums about it and many have sent their units back. Now here are the reasons for this post: Is this tape noise an inherent feature of this cam or just the odd aberration of manufacture? One can hardly expect to go to a store and ask a sealed unit after unit to be opened and tested for tape mechanism noise! Just how annoying is this noise? I was on the verge of getting one of these cams but I guess now I will monitor this issue for awhile. I would appreciate hearing more from members about this issue and anything else about this cam. Thanks

Guy Bruner · October 29th, 2004, 04:21 PM

It seems that there are some folks who are having problems with the tape transport making noise that is loud enough to be picked up by the microphones. It appears to be a carriage (transport) issue on the new GS series. The transport is constructed with much less material than the DV953 so it is smaller which may be an issue. I don't have this problem with my GS400 or GS120. Also, it is hard to gauge the extent of the problem since many folks seem to be happy with their cams.

These are great cams and I wouldn't let this problem delay a purchase. Just make sure you buy from a reputable dealer that will allow you to return the cam if it doesn't perform as expected.

Guy Bruner · October 30th, 2004, 04:56 PM

If you believe you are having tape transport noise problems, please read this thread for a link to an audio file that illustrates the problem.

September 27th, 2004, 10:33 AM	#1
Tony Playfair New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7	GS400 tape mechanism noise in soundtrack Testing out my GS400 I can hear a sort of low level flapping sound when playing back a tape with a very quiet background (no people talking, etc.) If I hold my ear up to the tape transport during recording I can hear the exact same sound. Seems like this tape transport warble (flapping) sound is being recorded on the soundtrack. This occurs with 4 different types of MiniDV tape. Panasonic Pro, TDK, Maxell, Panasonic standard tapes. Any suggestions on what to do? Anyone else hear this on their's? Give it a try with no sound in the room, then play it back.

October 14th, 2004, 09:37 PM	#2
Craig Bartelloni New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: bellingham, ma Posts: 16	I just noticed it with mine to, have you been able to fix it.

October 14th, 2004, 10:46 PM	#3
Tony Playfair New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7	No, I haven't done anything to fix it yet. B&H emailed me to say to call Panasonic and see what they say. I may just use an external mike. Haven't decided yet. Another guy on the camcorderinfo.com forums has decided to send his in to Panasonic. I'm waiting to hear from him to see if they can fix it. Sounds like a tape transport tracking/tension adjustment if you ask me. Tony

October 16th, 2004, 09:10 AM	#4
Raimo Repo New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Markdale Posts: 18	Jeff Keller in his review of the Gs400 found no motor noise whatsoever. www.dvspot.com/features

October 16th, 2004, 10:50 AM	#5
Tony Playfair New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7	Hi Raimo Repo Your right, it's not motor noise, it's the sound of the tape moving over the video heads during each revolution of the spool. Tony

October 16th, 2004, 09:15 PM	#6
Craig Bartelloni New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: bellingham, ma Posts: 16	I have noticed it gets better if i turn down the agc.

October 19th, 2004, 06:53 PM	#7
Craig Bartelloni New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: bellingham, ma Posts: 16	Well I just sent mine back for replacement. Let's see if the new one iI get is better. Craig

October 19th, 2004, 07:08 PM	#8
Tony Playfair New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7	Craig Where did you buy it from? Tony

October 19th, 2004, 10:59 PM	#10
Tony Playfair New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7	Hi Frank This started from the first minute I tried out the camcorder. First tape was the TDK. I then tried the others, recording for only 30 seconds per tape. All had the same thing happening. It's how the camcorder is handling the tape. I tried these same tapes in my TRV900 and no problem. I haven't cleaned the heads though. I suppose a brand new cam can have dirty heads but it doesn't show in the picture, it's pristine. Tony

October 20th, 2004, 06:04 AM	#11
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	It was just a suggestion. I found that with new cams you should clean the heads first---play a cleaning tape for about 5 seconds. Then stick with one tape brand/model. I use Fuji. If that doesn't solve the problem, contact your dealer to have it exchanged.

October 22nd, 2004, 09:18 PM	#12
Craig Bartelloni New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: bellingham, ma Posts: 16	I bought mine from ebay user hotdigital/focus camera.com I returned it Monday and just got a new one today, that sounds much better. Craig

October 29th, 2004, 02:47 PM	#13
Raimo Repo New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Markdale Posts: 18	There was tremendous hype about the GS400 before its advent but for me there has been precious little info about its performance in the hands of forum members. Now we hear about tape transport noise as a problem with the Gs400. There are many reports now on other forums about it and many have sent their units back. Now here are the reasons for this post: Is this tape noise an inherent feature of this cam or just the odd aberration of manufacture? One can hardly expect to go to a store and ask a sealed unit after unit to be opened and tested for tape mechanism noise! Just how annoying is this noise? I was on the verge of getting one of these cams but I guess now I will monitor this issue for awhile. I would appreciate hearing more from members about this issue and anything else about this cam. Thanks

October 29th, 2004, 04:21 PM	#14
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	It seems that there are some folks who are having problems with the tape transport making noise that is loud enough to be picked up by the microphones. It appears to be a carriage (transport) issue on the new GS series. The transport is constructed with much less material than the DV953 so it is smaller which may be an issue. I don't have this problem with my GS400 or GS120. Also, it is hard to gauge the extent of the problem since many folks seem to be happy with their cams. These are great cams and I wouldn't let this problem delay a purchase. Just make sure you buy from a reputable dealer that will allow you to return the cam if it doesn't perform as expected.

October 30th, 2004, 04:56 PM	#15
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	If you believe you are having tape transport noise problems, please read this thread for a link to an audio file that illustrates the problem.