Hi all

Picked up an HV20 over the weekend, nice camera. However if I gently shake the camera with the power off I hear a warbling loose sound coming from inside the camera, as close as I can make out it's coming from lens area of the camera. Once I place the camera in the record mode the wobbling loose sound seems to tighten up a bit, just barely audible, the amount of travel from the loose part is feels a lot less.

Anyone else have the same symptoms with their HV20?

Regards, John

Hi all

Picked up an HV20 over the weekend, nice camera. However if I gently shake the camera with the power off I hear a warbling loose sound coming from inside the camera, as close as I can make out it's coming from lens area of the camera. Once I place the camera in the record mode the wobbling loose sound seems to tighten up a bit, just barely audible, the amount of travel from the loose part is feels a lot less.

Anyone else have the same symptoms with their HV20?

Regards, John

Hi John.

I noticed the same thing with my HV20. I just figured it was the IS lens, but I am not 100% sure of that.

Same thing here. It might be the zoom lens assembly. I believe that's it's normal.

Chris Hurd mentions this about the DVX100 in this thread:
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=6668

OK, thanks, sounds like you are both hearing the same thing.

I'll get out this weekend and find a demo unit here local and see if it sounds/acts the same.

Regards, John

I don't have an HV20 but I believe what you are hearing is the optical stabilizer. Turn on the camera. The sound will stop when the stabilizer is powered.

Jeff

That's funny, I noticed the same thing with my HV20. It doesn't sound like anything bad, just peculiar.

Jeff is right; it's just the OIS mechanism.

Glad to hear my assumption that the sound was the OIS is shared.

I've noticed two other build issues in my HV20 that makes it not seem as solidly built as Sony's typically are. (I owned a HC3 for about 12 hours).

1. The tape compartment does not close to a snug fit. Has a slight jiggle to it that makes the camera seem more fragile than it probably is.
2. The battery is slightly loose when attached. I've put an adhesive felt pad at the top of the battery compartment that cut it out completely.

1. The tape compartment does not close to a snug fit. Has a slight jiggle to it that makes the camera seem more fragile than it probably is.
2. The battery is slightly loose when attached. I've put an adhesive felt pad at the top of the battery compartment that cut it out completely.

These are not signs of poor quality, they are signs of simplicity. They are not only acceptable but can lead to longer lasting components.

From years in the machining business, I can tell you that the tighter the fit on components the more chances of things going wrong. Wear, tear and stress!

The simple latch mechanism on the HV20 tape door simply means that is has less tension when closed and less chance of small tolerance changes and pressure stress that could allow it to go bad. You want it tighter???, just bend the little metal tab on the front of the compartment!!! It will be nice and tight but it just adds stress to the unit.

Same with the battery mount, the only time it would be an issue is if you decide to shake the camera violently, making some noise and I doubt that would deliver good useable video anyway.

Most of the time, very simple mechanisms last longer.

Mike

Interesting take on it. Thanks for sharing.

I bought a genuine Canon BP-2L14 and I can confirm that the battery feels loose/rattles on the HV20.

I too, will probably will get a felt pad to butt it up.

I plan on flying the HV20 on my old Hollywood Lite VS-1 Ultralite...and a loose battery is NOT acceptable.

It's a easy fix, but I have NEVER seen a battery that "loose" on ANY camcorder..and that includes a cheapo Hitachi Digital 8 and my Sony PDX10.

Too tight a fit is definitely not good, but depending on the component, especially moving parts, too loose a fit will cause increase wear and tear. The main issue here is whether the loose tape cover and battery will introduce noise that can be picked up by the mic. Every equipment must be designed for the correct fit which isn't quite the case here.

From years in the machining business, I can tell you that the tighter the fit on components the more chances of things going wrong. Wear, tear and stress!
Mike

Too tight a fit is definitely not good, but depending on the component, especially moving parts, too loose a fit will cause increase wear and tear. The main issue here is whether the loose tape cover and battery will introduce noise that can be picked up by the mic. Every equipment must be designed for the correct fit which isn't quite the case here.

There is a difference between moving parts and latches/catches etc.

No noise is introduced.

Yes, it is a correct fit.

Mike

I bought a genuine Canon BP-2L14 and I can confirm that the battery feels loose/rattles on the HV20.

I too, will probably will get a felt pad to butt it up.



same here.... I can't figure out why Canon would make
the BP-2L14 in a different shape...

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?p=654885#post654885

Keep in mind that the BP-2L14 has been in production for at least 3 years. I notice that it's been available as an additional battery since the Optura 30/40 first started shipping. May have even been available before that.

Jeff is right; it's just the OIS mechanism.

I knew it was the OIS that's making the sound...

However, I'm wondering what happens if the OIS is
turned off. In the off mode, isn't OIS supposed to be
locked in place? Yet I continue to hear the sound when
the camercorder is shaken....

Thanks! :)

isn't OIS supposed to be locked in place? I continue to hear the sound when the camercorder is shaken....Well, so does everyone else who owns one, so I think it's safe to say that no, it's not supposed to be locked in place. There's nothing wrong with your camcorder. Hope this helps,

Leila, I think every small OIS camera I've owned has exactly this 'rattle' whether the cam is on or off, OIS engaged or not. It's the nature of the beast.

Got my HV20 yesterday. The rattling sounds like a smaller/softer version of what my DVX 100 does when I shake it with the power off.:-)