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.

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

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

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

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

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

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


Craig

Craig
Where did you buy it from?

Tony

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

If you believe you are having tape transport noise problems, please read this thread (http://www.pana3ccduser.com/showthread.php?p=1614#post1614) for a link to an audio file that illustrates the problem.

<<<-- Originally posted by Guy Bruner : 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.-->>>

Can this be overcome if you plug in an external mike? Or does the external also pick up the noise?

Robert,
As I understand the problem, on a few camcorders the tape transport does not close tightly enough to firmly engage the tape to the transport hubs. So, there is friction or slippage noise. This noise is audible when the cam is held away from your head. So, yes. An external mic will pick up the noise.

There are reports that the noise can be eliminated if pressure is applied to the back of the tape transport which then presses the tape onto the hubs. One person put velcro on the transport back which contacts the clamshell when closed and presses the tape onto the hubs. This mod eliminated the noise. However, this mod should be unnecessary.

At this point, it appears that this is a worldwide problem since reports are being posted from countries other than North America.

Thanks for the information, Guy. I got all paranoid -- just bought the GS400, but I haven't had a chance to test it out -- so I went home and tested it. If there was a sound, I didn't notice it. Mostly hum from nearby electronics, like the frig, but nothing noticeable in a quiet room. I hope this is not something that might happen over time or use...

But thanks for the heads-up, everyone. That's something I'm keeping an eye out in the future (or more accurately, keeping an "ear" out for.)

This is in response to Raimo's question about the tape transport noise in the GS400. I've struck out twice with the GS400 - two units, two transport problems - so I consider myself something of an expert on this topic.

Raimo asks: "Just how annoying is it?"

When I unpacked my first GS400 (after much eager anticipation), I made some test recordings, and right away, I could hear that there was an annoying, grinding sound when I listened to the tape through my TV's speakers. At that time, I had not heard anything about other users having this problem, so I wasn't listening for a problem - it jumped out at me. The sound was annoying enough that I knew it would always be noticeable whenever there were pauses in conversations, or any other time that ambient sound levels were low.

Even more importantly - this isn't mainly an audio problem. The fact that there's a mechanical problem with the tape transport doesn't exactly inspire confidence in Panasonic. The "fixes" that other users have written about (e.g., different methods of wedging the tape holder carriage into place) sound pretty iffy to me. Mechanical problems tend to get worse over time (typically after the warranty expires); I wouldn't want to be on vacation somewhere and have the tape transport break down on me.

After I sent back the first camcorder, I received a replacement unit with nearly the exact same problem, so I turned to the internet. It was only then that I found out that many other users had discovered this same problem with the GS400.

If you want to hear exactly what other users are experiencing, there are several sound files posted by board members on Guy's website, www.pana3ccduser.com (this site also has Panasonic's letter in response to this problem: they offer warranty service. Thanks a lot!) You can also find many tales of woe about this on the camcorderinfo.com forum.

My advice to anyone who has this problem is: don't just "live with it"! Either return the unit for a refund or a replacement (hope you have better luck than I did). If you can't do that, then get it repaired by Panasonic (and keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't break down again after it's out of warranty).