This is driving me nuts... I have 2 completed brief videos stored in my computer. Video 1, I can firewire to my GL1 - it plays back fine through the viewfinder and fine when hooked up to the TV. Video 2 however, on playback, I get a flickering blue screen through the viewfinder. It never happens in the same place on the tape, very random... sometimes at a splice, sometimes in the middle of a clip. It's like the signal is interrupted. When I playback on the TV screen, it'll show brief flickering pixelated patches with an interruption in the audio.

What is really baffling is that it's happening with video2 and not video 1. If it's a firewire problem, shouldn't it happen with both?

Can anyone shed some light on this?

What is the difference between these files? That usually
gives you a clue where to look.

Nathan Gifford

I am having the same exact problem. I have a XL1, I use Premiere, my system consists of a dual PIII 1 gig-tyan board-2 40 gig maxtor 7200 rpm-western digital firewre card. I have tried everything and I mean everything, different OS's (98 SE, Win 2k), Different Firewire cards (Western Digital, Pinnacle), Different Software (Premiere, Avid ExpressDV2). I have spent a lot of money and time trying to fix this issue. I'm not sure what to do at this point. If anyone has a clue let me know please!

The blue screen spoken of? is it the blue screen that monitors display when no signal is present? If so, the blue screen is switched on or generated, by different devices. The blue screen is triggered when the video signal is absent or below a certain level. The problem is either in the signal or the device that generates the blue screen.

The signal may have errors in sync, timing or other abnormalities. This can be examined with a waveform monitor. The abnormality may be a defect in the tape, a bad or misstimed edit, bad cable or connection etc. For example a bad edit can cause the error correction tokick on and the device senses this as a weak or absent signal and turns on the blue screen briefly. The level or point at which the blue screen is switched could be set improperly and may need to be set by a service technician.

Jeff

Yes it's the blue screen that happens when a device has no signal input. I am exporting from the computer to the XL1 through firewire. I have had this issue on my old system also. My new system is built like a brick house except for the drives (eide 7200rpm mators). Many many other people are complaining of the same issue, even on other boards.

I just got off the phone with canon and they want me to send it in to be looked at. Do you all suggest I do it. I don't really want to considering so many others are having this issue (makes me think it's not my particular camera that's broken). Plus I have heard they aren't exactly lighting fast about turnarounds.

Maybe this will help some of you. I download the dv capture update from the Microsoft direct x web site and the blue screen flicker was reduced signifigantly. It still happens but at least not as often.

I'll be honest with ya folks I think this is a Canon problem. I hooked up a couple of different cams and my XL1 is the only one that has this issue. I'm gonna hound Canon and see if I can get some answers.

Dear Robert Hedges,

Thank you for your inquiry. We regret any difficulties the connection to
the computer may have caused.

The digital camcorder is equipped with a DV IN/OUT terminal on its body
that conforms to IEEE 1394, also referred to as Firewire. This terminal
provides digital connectivity for high speed transfer of video, stills
and audio from the digital camcorder to a DV ready computer. The
firewire cable is a separate accessory that you could use. Regrettably
we do not have any drivers for the connection or configuration of the
software or the connecting device. You will have to contact the software
vendor and the firewire provider on driver configuration issues. Our
camcorders captures images at 29.97 fps which is the NTSC standard. Some
softwares captures at 30fps which can result in synchronization issues.
Unfortunately this feature cannot be changed on the camcorder and it is
not a flaw. There are no firmware updates available.

Thank you for your interest in Canon. We look forward to assisting you
in the future.

Sincerely,

Ivy
Product Support Representative






Original Message Follows:
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INQUIRY=I get a blue flash on the camera when trying to record
video from my computer. I understand that the blue screen
means the camera has lost the signal from the computer. I
have tried 3 other cameras a JVC, a Canon, a Sony. My XL1
is the only one that does this.
Is this a problem that Canon is aware of? I have contacted
tech support by phone and they said that this is an unknown
issue. I have visited several internet message boards and
there are many people having this same issue. The XL1 is a
great camera (not cheap either) and I would love to get
full use from it. If you could please help me I would
appreciate it.