I just got an XL2 today, and I popped a tape in to record around the house, and when I played it back, there was major artifacting, white, green, and purple flecks all around the highlights of the image. I tried different tape stock, new tapes, old tapes, playback through a mini-dv VCR and the camera itself, and the artficating remains everytime. This is severely dissappointing, as the camera is BRAND new, and I've been using XL1's since 1999. Has anyone else had this problem? Is this documented? After all I heard about the camera's downfalls and sticking to the brand, this is incredibly disheartening. I got it from B&H, and since it is less than a few days old, I assume either I can return it, or have Canon look at it. Nevertheless, this is really frustrating.

Edited to add: the degraded image/artifacts do not show up in the viewfinder when recording.

Always run a head cleaning tape through any new camcorder before rolling that first DV cassette.

I always thought that head cleaning tapes are a no no for high end cams. Is there a high end cleaning tape?

thanks

Believe that head cleaning tapes are the recommended form for MiniDV. Check Canon's notes in the manual. Liquid/wet process cleaners (as often used on larger tape formats) are generally a no-no for MiniDV - could cause more problems than they solve in most hands - because the head gaps, etc. are so much smaller.

Use a good brand (e.g., Sony, Panasonic, Canon) when the camcorder is new out of the box, when there are indications in playback per the manual, and if changing tape stock brand. Observe cautions provided in the manual and with the cleaning tape you buy. Cleaning tapes do cause head wear, so frequent use (e.g., every few hours) is not a great idea if you want to maximize head life.

Panasonnic' s head cleaning tape is dry, Sony's head cleaning tape is wet. Says so right on their boxes, so choose accordingly.