Hello,

I'm wondering if you can help me as I'm having a little problem with my Z1. Some of my captured footage is coming out with corrupt frames. I only use Sonys HDV (PHDVM-63DM) Tapes and tend to only use them once. I always try to use a cleaning tape every couple of months (Don't record that often to be honest)

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I've had the camera almost 2 years but never had it properly serviced by a Sony dealer. I record motorsports so could be just dirty and need a proper service I'm hoping?

This tape in question was brand new and not used before - Rest of the footage seems to be fine. This has happened before on another tape a couple of weeks ago.

Any ideas?

Hi David

Ive had this happen once with my FX1. Unlike you, I was using a tape for the second time which I usually dont so have stopped reusing tapes for important shoots to be on the safe side! I also ran a cleaner through the cam and it hasnt happened since luckily. It might just be dirt.

Was it early in the tape? Apperently if a new tape is going to stuff up, it will be more likely to be in the first 20 seconds.

cheers

Jamie

This was about 40 minutes into the tape :(

I have not had good performance from Sony expensive tape going all the way back to Hi8 Pro ME when Hi8 first came out. I am in the process of going back and re-editing some of the stuff I shot in the early 1990's and the only tapes that are giving me any problems are the really expensive Sony's of the time. The cheap Fuji I used on the b camera are just fine!!!! Also happened with my PC10 when I first got that and started DV so have given up on the expensive tapes and now always use the Premium ( blue packaging) and have had no problems with these since I started using around 1998 I think. I use for DV and HDV. Current FX1, TRV50 and HC96 have only ever used these Premium tapes. I am a firm believer in never mixing tape brands and keep my old PC10 for non Sony tapes. The two times I mixed Sony and Panasonic tapes in my PC10 and DHR1000 they had to go back to Sony for cleaning and repair. Learned my lesson don't do it any more!!! Failure in the PC10 was much like your frames( mix of lubricants lifting off the oxide and error correction can't mask), the DHR1000 locked up and wouldn't eject the tape and had to go to Sony for repair. I admit that these instances happened around 1998 but still don't risk mixing.
Winding and rewinding the tapes a few times( have separate rewinder for the Hi8 tapes as well as several decks and cameras and D8 too) have cleaned up some of the problems with my old tapes so this might improve your situation if it is just some loose oxide that can be cleaned away by this action.

Ron Evans

In addition to the corrupt frames, if you fast forward the tapes to the end do you get an E31:xx or E32:xx error? If so, you have a problem with the tape reels, it's probable that the deck will need to be replaced. If there's no error the chances are that the heads are dirty and they just need to be wet cleaned properly. Either way, the Z1 has a 2 year warranty in the UK, if you're just under that period of time I'd get a claim in.

Does it drop-out on tape? If it doesn't, re-capture the section. If it does drop out on tape, I recommend cleaning the head more often.

That looks like dirty heads to me but iam no expert.

We have exactly the same problem ocassionally on our FX1's, I think it's just one of those things with tape that you have to accept. I wish we could afford a couple of Sony EX1's!!

Doesn't look like standard head clog which normally has 6 or 8 patches that run the width of the image, with alternating image/no image or image 1/image 2 if a two-pass tape. Might just be dirty instead of clogged. I clean all my 6mm heads after about 10 - 20 hours with an abrasive cleaner.

Well I'm out of my 2 year warranty and I didn’t/forgot to extend it but I can pay Sony £560 odd to get them to check over it and they will extend the warranty for me.

But I've been out filming again last weekend and before I did I cleaned the head a couple of times with a Sony tape cleaner and although the problem seems to be there it’s not there as much, only a couple of frames.

So I think it’s just a dirty head so I'll clean it again and again and hope...

This may be related to incorrect back tension on the tape, misalignment, or maybe you might need to consider going down a notch in tape quality to the blue cassette Sony tapes which have been the least troublesome for me.

Your best bet is to let the Sony doc have a look inside. If you have operated it for more than two years, there may be need for servicing. The Z1/FX1 is apparently a little more sensitive to dust and dried out lube than the older PD150 family.