The other day I was capturing footage from my DVX100 on to the edit suit and I got allot of digital glitches and mosaic-type noise randomly threw the tape. I only have 39 hours on the heads. I ran the tape cleaner for 10 seconds and
it still happens. Sometimes when I fast forward or rewind to skip the problem... I get a still image of horizontal bars across the LCD screen of the camera.

What going on!!!

did you use a new tape?

I used a tape that ive already used twice... How many times can i use a MINI DV tape over again until its starts to loose it life? 5 - 10 times? more? Could it be a bad tape?

I think the question he meant was did you use a new tape brand or type?

I'm not sure what the typically usage of a tape is, I'm sure it depends on brand. But I do know that over time when reusing a tape it will start to flake and gum up your heads. If it has flaked, I'd also imagine that it would produce results like you are seeing. Try another new tape of the same brand and type you should always be using and see if it produces the same problems. If so, then it's a head issue. If not, most likely a tape issue with that particular tape.

I never reuse tapes. You can use the search function by clicking on the button in the upper right corner of this window. This will give you numerous threads on this topic to read over. It's a personal thing depending on your comfort level of possibly experiencing dropouts etc. The more you use a tape the more likely you'll have problems with that tape. No hard and fast numbers or rules.

These Panasonic cameras seem to have the "fussiest" heads in modern DV cameras.....I personally think it's poor design......I had to return 1 DVC80 already and my new one (another new DVC80) misbehaved once already and it has under 1 hour "rec" time on it!

Search this forum and you'll find quite a history on the DVC/DVX heads.

Ozan, here's something about tapes and heads. Make sure you read the links there as well. Tom's got a good 'how to' on cleaning cam heads.

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

I have been using the same tape stock for all my cameras... FUJIFILM mini DV tapes... i also read "DV FREAK" information about tapes and heads. Maybe theres a good possiblilty that my heads are screwed up?!? according to "DV FREAK" there are chances of new cameras to have screwed up heads...

Maybe. But it's not a good idea to re-use tapes for important footage. London Drugs, Superstore, usually have Fuji and other brands on sale.

FWIW - I had the same problems on my DVX after only 4-5 hours. I was using the SONY Premium mini DV tapes I'd used for years without problem on my other camera. I had to run the cleaning tape twice (2X 10 sec. each). Then I switched to the Panasonic MQ tapes and haven't had a problem since.

BTW - I've reused several MQ tapes (a couple in LP mode even) without a hitch.)

I also seem to get a few video glitches or audio chirps when i record onto tape. Is that more of a TAPE problem or the camera HEADS!

I have owned a GL2, XL1S, PDX10 etc and only the Panasonic DVC/DVX seem to consistently have "head" issues....everything from "you must use this tape" to "you can't retape over tape" solutions have been offered- but if you search these forums you'll find these Pans have tons of issues with their "heads"....sad but true for such a nice camera otherwise!

So is the solution to use PANASONIC tapes for the DVX100? Less of a change of things screwing up? glitches, mosaic-type noise... etc

So is the solution to use PANASONIC tapes for the DVX100? Less of a change of things screwing up? glitches, mosaic-type noise... etcIf you've used a brand/type of tape, haven't mixed them, cleaned your heads, and you still get this problem with playing back the tapes, you should use your warranty to get the cam fixed. It could be the heads; it could be the "firmware" - if you get these glitches while uploading via firewire. Take note that when you fast forward or rewind, these mosaic blocks you see are normal.

As a new user of the DVX100 I've started out using Maxell tapes: DVM60SE (B). Has anyone experiences with them? Should I consider switching to Fuji or Panasonic and stay with one of them?

Peter Sieben

Peter,

if the Maxell tapes you're using have been fine and you haven't noticed any weird things happeneing upon playback or recording chances are they're fine to use.........like everyone says- stick to the one brand and keep using them to prevent head clogging.

Here are two things I did in reaction to all the concern and paranoia about DVX100's and head wear. First I got the MQ tapes, and second, I ordered a Mack 4-yr warranty from B&H. Part number is MAEWPDVC5. It only cost $169.95 (much cheaper than other online dealers). Make sure your camera is under 30 days old, otherwise mack won't allow you to register. Do this, new buyers of the DVX100 and DVC80, and you will sleep better at night. I foresee head replacement if things get bad enough that the cleaning tape cannot fix the dropouts.

Speaking of cleaning, do the pro shops use wet cleaning or dry cleaning?