> The camcorder is warranteed through a third party.

Interesting. This could complicate the issue - is Canon's legal business relationship with you, or with the third party?

Good luck with the repair.

No business was happening -- either with me or the third party. My XL had been looked at, but no estimate was given to anyone. I finally got everything straightened out today and everything is back on track. I talked to Ryan at Canon Calgary and he was very helpful. There was a bit of a mix up and I'm okay with that. It just took some communication to get things going. I guess the moral is that, after everything is said and done, good service still comes down to individuals who care about what they do. Thanks Ryan!

I certainly didn't write this post to bash Canon. I have been very happy with my XL1s. It is one tough camcorder.

How long did it take Canon to turn around your XL1 when you sent it in for annual service? Thoughts on California or New Jersey? I need mine serviced fast.

Steve

Are you a member of the XL1/2 Owners Club?

Yes I am. Please let me know how that can help.

I am also a Canon Professional Services member, but that does not help me with the video repairs. Does the XL1 Club have similar benefits?

Jeff,
Thank you for the reminder about the XL1 Club. I dug out the card I had in a file since 1999 and called the 800#. I now have a priority code to get the Camera serviced in 5 business days. I had forgotten club membership was good for something. You gotta love Canon.

Steve

I think it may have similar benefits, at least cost wise, shipping etc. I doubt they have a loaner policy though. Give the club number a call and see what they say.

Also, I have read someplace that the New Jersey center was charging less for service than the California center. I asked the Canon rep if this was true and she said that was impossible.

Steve

beware sending camera to have serviced by canon,sent to have cleaned and serviced,e-mail came back with a bill of 450+ saying that the case where mike attached was broken and that the case had to be replaced??????the piece was about a 1/2 long and no way affected anything including the mike.told them to just clean it,they said about 95.oo.ok.i then get another call later saying the camera was extremely dirty and it would be about 245.???????was encouraged to pay the 450 instead.sorry canon bad business,told them to return it.anybody want to buy a 2000 xl1?

OK, so how dirty was it? How long since the previous service/cleaning? How many run-time hours? In what environments was it used? Where there problem that caused you to send it in for cleaning? How did the case break?

Sounds like Canon wanted to restore the camcorder to factory spec condition, and thereby avoid the alternative complaint that they did not fully service the machine.

some where my point was lost ,i sent the camera for a service clean and check,as reccomended by the watchdog site,just a clean and service.the camera worked fine when it left here,NO problems.i get an e-mail sying the bill was 458+.reason they wanted to replace the case???why a piece of the plastic ring that holds the mike in place was broken off.1/4x 3/8.it did not affect anything not even the mike.it still worked in any position.again all i wanted was a service and clean.so i called back,we talked and i told him what i sent it there for.he said ok,that would be about 95.fine.15 min later i get another call saying it was worse than they thought,it was extremely dirty and would cost about 245.no thanks.im sure with your reasoning that canon would love to refurbish the whole thing along with a bill that would buy another one one bay.ive worked the service repair business and this is status quo.i dont have deep pockets.sorry if you think im wrong.Don

As mentioned before in other posts i use the XL1S in mainly dusty and dry conditions and sometimes in wet weather where there is some mud so would anyone recommend how many hours of use before u either have to run a cleaning tape thru it or put it in for a clean and service?.

I've been told by other MX cameraman they do every during their off season but i film mainly year round with breaks of only about 4 to 6 weeks at most?.

After each meeting i do clean and blow out the external body etc where dust can get in does anyone have any basic cleaning regimes they follow after use in such conditions or climate?.

Any advice is greatly appreciated with thanks for this Newbie:).

For normal use, head cleaning tape only when there are indications of a head clog, and an annual service by Canon - that normally takes about 1-2 week turnaround. However, if used in adverse conditions, more often may be necessary. You will have to judge based on your field use.

Some folks have put masking or gaffer tape around the tape loading door to reduce the possibility of dust entering when in the field and go to a cleaner location to change tapes.

Thank you for the advice Don much appreciated particuarly that last tip i will try that this weekend whilst filming.

For normal use, head cleaning tape only when there are indications of a head clog, and an annual service by Canon - that normally takes about 1-2 week turnaround. However, is used in adverse conditions, more often may be necessary. You will have to judge based on your field use.

Some folks have put maskign or gaffer tape around the tape loading door to reduce the possibility of dust entering when in the field and go to a cleaner location to change tapes.

i have had my XL1 since Feb. 1998 i dont use ity that much since i also have a Sony DSR-D35. I must say i am happy with the Xl1 even though it has its Quirks.
Recvently however I have been having some problems.

First- The Power Wheel which determines what shooting mode one uses is no longer accurate. For instance when I go to Green Box mode, the viewfinder displays TV60 and so on. The only setting which is accurate is Manual, which is OK because its all i use. I can live with this problem

Second- I can only access the menu using the remote. If I push the menu button the camera will momentarily shut down. Release the menubutton and it turns on again. If I use the remote to go into the menue it works fine. I can live with this problem also.

Third- I recently shot some footage of sailboats, about 40min. ( during which I burned the viewfinder a little) when I got back and looked at the footage (which looked fine while I was shooting) I noticed that I had sections of footage which had odd bands running through it. then sections of black lasting about 10sec. where the timecode would go back to zero. I am hoping this is just dirty heads. I sdon't know hjow to add a Jpg. of this or I would.

Any comments?

Also any comments about which Canon Service Center is better East Coast
or West Coast

Sure sounds like very dirty heads. New Jersey is closer to RI, so you might save a wee bit of time/shipping.

Hi all. I'm a newbie on the list and have really enjoyed reading the archives. I have an XL1 that I have been using to shoot outdoors in Honduras. Recently I have been getting a head cleaning needed notice in the viewfinder as well as horizontal bars in playback etc. I have ran a head cleaning tape through it and it sometimes fixes the problems but sometimes not. If I record for a half hour with no fragmenting does that mean it is fixed? If I choose to send it in for cleaning and alignment how much should I pay? There is a local place that can clean it for roughly 65 dollars that works on XL1s' but is obviously not certified by Canon...have people used third party cleaners?? Any info would be helpful. Thanks,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Can't answer your question about whether or not you "fixed" your camera with the cleaner tape--you're pretty much taking your chances that it won't act up when you need it most.

I've always sent my cameras to Canon Service in Irvine, CA. For a basic cleaning and checkup it has cost $252.00. Canon would send you an estimate that you must approve before they do any work on your camera.

Andrew,

The cleaning tapes should only really be used in an emergency. Like if a terrorist has a gun to your head and says 'put the cleaning tape in, or die'. Even then only run it for 10 seconds. It's kind of like sandpaper.

You say your 'local place' is 'obviously not certified by Canon'. It makes it sound like it's pretty low end. Because you were shooting outdoors in Honduras, you may have picked up some foreign substance (literally and figuratively) in your tape compartment. At this point, if you can't find a REPUTABLE service depot within driving distance, I'd certainly send it in to Canon. I'm pretty sure Canon doesn't actually have authorized service depots anymore, but a head cleaning is pretty basic stuff. However, being that it's an XL1, it probably is older and could use a factory service.

Just my 2 cents

In the United States, Canon has two factory service centers for their camcorders:

Canon Factory Service
Attn: Video Service
100 Jamesburg Road
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
tel: 732-521-7007

Canon USA
Attn: Video Service
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618-3616
tel: 949-753-4200

See http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/skinny.php#service

All I meant my obviously not licensed is that since Cannon will only service the cameras themselves the local place is not licensed. I think they are a reputable place and I am hesitant to send everything off.

I was reading in the archives and some people recommended just recording for a half hour and then reviewing the tape to see if there was any fragmenting etc. Their thought was that if you did this and there was none you were good to go. Is that the general consensus? It is an xl1s and hasn't had much use, so would like not to spend the 252 dollars if it is avoidable. Thanks,
Andrew

If you're willing to put up with that kind of aggravation, go right ahead. :) I take it you don't do any kind of event shooting or jobs where time is an issue.

My camera has worked flawlessly for about the last year or so since I bought it used on EBay. Camera sat for a few days since last successful use and when my new 7" external LCD monitor arrived to work with my new jib I plugged it in and no zoom, no focus... removed the lens, cleaned with eraser and denatured alcohol on the contact, still no go... removed the batteries for several hours and tried again with no luck. Funny thing is that the camera zoom and focus works for about the first 15 seconds on powering up, but then nothing. When I hit the zoom in - zoom out toggle after that it shows the square and triangle on the zoom (in the display) like it knows I'm hitting the toggle switch, but doesn't go anywhere... No error message, and will playback fine. Hopefully nothing major, we'll see what happens. Anyone have any other bright ideas to try?

Sorry, there is nothing else you can do except send the camera in to Canon service.

I recommend some last minute tests before sending it off to Canon.

I don't know what 7" monitor that you are using. So, disconnect it and run the test again.

If you have any other lenses, try them.

Have you tested with other batteries? Does the battery power show full power?

Could be the lens fuse, not the camera. So yeah, check with a different lens. Or at the least, send body AND lens back.

Yikes, dropped off my XL1s this morning to Canon in Irvine, CA (only about 40 miles from me), and was told it's a minimum of $400.00 for repair of an XL1s! I expected a few hundred after cleaning and resetting / fixing whatever, but $400 min? I hope it's back to brand new when I get it back. The $400.00 is supposed to include fixing and cleaning, so we'll see...

I had the exact same thing happen to me but fortunately mine was still under warrenty. If they have the part its an easy fix but with me they had to order it and that took awhile.

I sent a XL1 camera in for distorted playback image. The repair description for the camera itself is "playback image distorted when panning or if subject moves. Replace drum. Unit never serviced. Check all functions. Clean and adjust. lens seperated.
Parts are $131 and labor $400

Seems really excessive?

Seems about right to me for a drum replacement.

That used to cost about $3,500 on my old Betacam camera and I had to do it about every 3 years.

I assume you tried a good run of a cleaning tape?

Mike

Realize that with a new drum, comes new heads. Considering the transport has also been 'cleaned and adjusted'... it's a pretty good deal and the old XL1 should serve you well.

$400 is their magic number, that's what I just paid for my XL1s that would not zoom/focus. That was the price for "Reseat all connectors, adjust focus, adjust exposure." on the lens, then "Clean Drum ass'y. Perform tape path adjustment. Test loading, eject, record, playback - Good". You got more than me for the same amount... If you haven't, I learned (through this site) you should register your XL1s through Canon's web site for the "XL Series Owners Club" https://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=OnlineRegModelFormAct&fcategoryid=718&modelid=7471 to get specials such as routing cleaning discounted prices (questionable at the Irvine, CA location)...

I assume you tried a good run of a cleaning tape?

Mike

That's right. We cleaned with a cleaning tape thoroughly.

Thanks for all the good advice. I hope this fixes it.

I got the camera back on Saturday and thought it was doing the exact same thing that I sent it in for. Turns out my Sony Mini DV player was causing distortion when I was playing back today. When captured to Final Cut and played back image looks good.

I sent mine in to New Jersey for distorted playback image. Dropped over $550 , I just got it back and it's doing the exact same thing - like they never even tested before shipping it out.....

I sent mine in to New Jersey for distorted playback image. Dropped over $550 , I just got it back and it's doing the exact same thing - like they never even tested before shipping it out.....
That is unfortunite, but they should have included a 3 month warrenty for the service (I would hope) they did for me. Still is rediculous to have to go through it again already... good luck.

Nix my prev comment. Looks like my Sony Mini DV player was causing the distortion. When I captured my footage to final cut and played it through there it looks fine.

Currently I have been noticing quite a lot of clitches come drop outs in the image I have shot on my XL1. Now this camera is some 10 years old and I bought it in July 2003 2nd hand. I haven't serviced it in all that time.

So my question is since it is long over due for a service from peoples experience can I expect to get the camera back and see no more drop outs come clitches in my video? Or is this just a sign that the camera is coming to the end of its life?

Thanks

Have you used a dry head cleaning tape? That will help get rid of the drop-outs.

Yes I have. I only ran the Cleaning tape through for about 15 seconds but I'm still noticing various clitches / drop outs in the image captured.

Yes I have. I only ran the Cleaning tape through for about 15 seconds but I'm still noticing various clitches / drop outs in the image captured.

What brand of tapes are you using to record on?

Mike

Sony DV Premium.

I have been using these for quite some time now. At least for the last 12mths

Sony DV Premium.

I have been using these for quite some time now. At least for the last 12mths

The reason I asked about the tapes is that I used JVC tapes in my Canon XL1s and had problems. I cleaned it and again and still had problems. I switched to Sony and never had another problem.

If I were you, I would use the cleaning tape for a longer time, a couple three times if necessary and try again with a new recording tape. I that does not work it is off to Canon for service.

Mike

I read a long time ago that it's best to use only one brand of DV tape. The article explained that the lubricants used in the tape can react to another brand's lubricant formula causing a stickly mess and consequently drop outs.

I also feel that my particular camera is coming to the end of it's life. I've been more than keen to upgrade over the last 12mths but just haven't had the jobs coming to justify it. Well this camera has served me incredibly well but the limitations of lack of true manual lens and audio have seen me constantly looking at the next camera. But considering that this camera is some 10 years old it has more than delivered in regard to my development as a cameraman.

Hey guys,

I tried to find a thread on this, but I couldn't. If something similar exists, sorry.

Moving on...I would like to send my camera back to Canon to get it performing like the day it was new.

I have read about people doing it, but I have no idea what is involved.

What all needs to be updated, repaired, adjusted, or replaced? And how much can I expect it to run me and how long will it take? Thanks!

What's wrong with your camera? Typically you'll send it to Canon's national HQ (or if you're American, one of two(?) national HQ's they've got) and they fix it and then bill you. They'd go through it and find everything that's wrong, and tweak a lot of other stuff too. Depending on what they've done, you'll get a price that varies. Usually it runs at about $200-600. Of course, maybe you've done something crazy to the camera, and you'll get an enormous $1000ish bill.