GL-2 Audio Dropouts

Robert Dombaj · May 22nd, 2004, 12:52 PM

Hi,
I bought a GL-2 as soon as they came out in Toronto, Canada and for the first wedding season, I've been using Sony MiniDV tapes. For some reason (don't know if its tapes or what), I've began experiencing audio dropout to the point where I've spent as much time removing those dropout as editing the wedding itself. After the season was over, I took the camera to Canon service and they replaced the recording unit, under warranty. They had to do it twice because I was getting the EJECT TAPE message as soon as it came back from the shop.

Anyway, thinking that everything was fixed the second time around, I took it on a shoot 2 weeks ago and sure enough, the audio drop-outs are there!!! I'm now using Panasonic tapes ONLY (AY-DVM63PQ). I also used the 80 min tape (DVM80) but that one seems to be fine (no dropouts).

The camera is now out of warranty. What are my options? If I take it to service, will these "technicians" fix this? Is anyone else having this problem?

Wedding season is quickly approaching and I need to have a trouble-free camera.

Any advice is appreciated.

Robert Dombaj

Ken Tanaka · May 22nd, 2004, 12:58 PM

Are you only using the onboard mic for recording audio?

Frank Granovski · May 22nd, 2004, 04:18 PM

Robert, why didn't you just go with Fuji miniDV tape? Most people trying this and that usually go through what you're still going through and eventually end up with Fuji. :-))

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

Robert Dombaj · May 22nd, 2004, 04:30 PM

Hi,
yes, I'm using the on-board audio. Although I plan to purhcase a wireless system soon (either Sennheiser G2 or Sony's unit) and maybe a shotgun.

I would gladly switch to Fuji tapes. Does anyone know where I can get them in bulk? I've found them @ Loblaws but they're like $15.00 for 2 tapes.

Should I try Canon service again?

Robert

Frank Granovski · May 22nd, 2004, 04:33 PM

Robert, try http://www.dvshop.ca or Super Store. London Drugs also has them on sale every month but I'm not sure if T.O. has London Drugs.

Jim Painter · May 22nd, 2004, 05:53 PM

Robert,

I'm having the same problem. Shot a dance recital last weekend and lost audio 4 times for about 1/2 second. Video was also affected in two of those cases for the same time period.

I was using a Fuji 80 minute DVC along with the DM-50 mic. I'm hoping this was a tape problem perhaps related to using an 80 minute tape. Will use a Fuji 60 min DVC on my next shoot and see if it still happens.

Jim

Bill Hardy · May 23rd, 2004, 01:24 PM

If you need help in isolating the problem you should connect the cam to a monitor with sound and listen to the sound on the monitor. If the audio breaks up on the monitor while you are turning, tilting and panning the cam (don't just let it sit there) then you have an onboard mic problem; not a tape problem.

I always use Panasonic brand tape. Your cam when new should have given you a message on the display that you should use a tape cleaner; I think they all do than when brand new after a short break in period. When was the last time you used a cleaning cassette?

Robert Dombaj · May 23rd, 2004, 06:13 PM

"If you need help in isolating the problem..."

Hm, that's an interesting suggestion, I never thought of that. I will try that tonight. Although the drop-outs are always one frame long (or short). When I was using Sony tapes, the audio in the last 2-4 minutes of the tape was just horrible - so many drops that it sounded distorted.

After reading many posts on this, it seems most people are steering away from Sony tapes and favour Panasonic. As I wrote in my first message, the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ gave me dropouts, while the different model 80 min. tape did not. Strange. I think I will take the camera to Canon service and demand to speak to a service technician to ask what the hell is going on.

I know my case is not isolated. There are many more GL-2 users with this problem.

(could I have an audio "lemon"?)

Oh, I will try buying Fuji tapes as well. Who knows, maybe each camera has a preferance.

Robert D.

Bill Hardy · May 24th, 2004, 08:52 AM

As you propably know, very few companies will repair a cam that plays back distorted video/audio in LP mode; in fact they can put a disclaimer in the manual. I take it for granted you are running in SP mode. If you are that cam needs to be repaired or replaced. There is no reason for a cam to be that sensitive to tape when running in SP mode.

Robert Dombaj · May 24th, 2004, 09:07 AM

Hi Bill,
Yes, I'm running SP mode. I've never even considered running LP on the GL-2. I was referring to the Panasonic 80 min tape, forgot the model number.

Now that my camera is out of warranty, I wonder how Canon will resolve this. As a backup, the camera was purchased with my Visa Gold card and they extend any warranties by a year.

Robert D.

May 22nd, 2004, 12:52 PM	#1
Robert Dombaj Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 27	GL-2 Audio Dropouts - AGAIN! Hi, I bought a GL-2 as soon as they came out in Toronto, Canada and for the first wedding season, I've been using Sony MiniDV tapes. For some reason (don't know if its tapes or what), I've began experiencing audio dropout to the point where I've spent as much time removing those dropout as editing the wedding itself. After the season was over, I took the camera to Canon service and they replaced the recording unit, under warranty. They had to do it twice because I was getting the EJECT TAPE message as soon as it came back from the shop. Anyway, thinking that everything was fixed the second time around, I took it on a shoot 2 weeks ago and sure enough, the audio drop-outs are there!!! I'm now using Panasonic tapes ONLY (AY-DVM63PQ). I also used the 80 min tape (DVM80) but that one seems to be fine (no dropouts). The camera is now out of warranty. What are my options? If I take it to service, will these "technicians" fix this? Is anyone else having this problem? Wedding season is quickly approaching and I need to have a trouble-free camera. Any advice is appreciated. Robert Dombaj

May 22nd, 2004, 12:58 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Are you only using the onboard mic for recording audio? __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 22nd, 2004, 04:18 PM	#3
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Robert, why didn't you just go with Fuji miniDV tape? Most people trying this and that usually go through what you're still going through and eventually end up with Fuji. :-)) http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

May 22nd, 2004, 04:30 PM	#4
Robert Dombaj Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 27	Hi, yes, I'm using the on-board audio. Although I plan to purhcase a wireless system soon (either Sennheiser G2 or Sony's unit) and maybe a shotgun. I would gladly switch to Fuji tapes. Does anyone know where I can get them in bulk? I've found them @ Loblaws but they're like $15.00 for 2 tapes. Should I try Canon service again? Robert

May 22nd, 2004, 04:33 PM	#5
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Robert, try http://www.dvshop.ca or Super Store. London Drugs also has them on sale every month but I'm not sure if T.O. has London Drugs.

May 22nd, 2004, 05:53 PM	#6
Jim Painter New Boot Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metamora, MI Posts: 17	Robert, I'm having the same problem. Shot a dance recital last weekend and lost audio 4 times for about 1/2 second. Video was also affected in two of those cases for the same time period. I was using a Fuji 80 minute DVC along with the DM-50 mic. I'm hoping this was a tape problem perhaps related to using an 80 minute tape. Will use a Fuji 60 min DVC on my next shoot and see if it still happens. Jim

May 23rd, 2004, 01:24 PM	#7
Bill Hardy Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 205	If you need help in isolating the problem you should connect the cam to a monitor with sound and listen to the sound on the monitor. If the audio breaks up on the monitor while you are turning, tilting and panning the cam (don't just let it sit there) then you have an onboard mic problem; not a tape problem. I always use Panasonic brand tape. Your cam when new should have given you a message on the display that you should use a tape cleaner; I think they all do than when brand new after a short break in period. When was the last time you used a cleaning cassette?

May 23rd, 2004, 06:13 PM	#8
Robert Dombaj Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 27	"If you need help in isolating the problem..." Hm, that's an interesting suggestion, I never thought of that. I will try that tonight. Although the drop-outs are always one frame long (or short). When I was using Sony tapes, the audio in the last 2-4 minutes of the tape was just horrible - so many drops that it sounded distorted. After reading many posts on this, it seems most people are steering away from Sony tapes and favour Panasonic. As I wrote in my first message, the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ gave me dropouts, while the different model 80 min. tape did not. Strange. I think I will take the camera to Canon service and demand to speak to a service technician to ask what the hell is going on. I know my case is not isolated. There are many more GL-2 users with this problem. (could I have an audio "lemon"?) Oh, I will try buying Fuji tapes as well. Who knows, maybe each camera has a preferance. Robert D.

May 24th, 2004, 08:52 AM	#9
Bill Hardy Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 205	As you propably know, very few companies will repair a cam that plays back distorted video/audio in LP mode; in fact they can put a disclaimer in the manual. I take it for granted you are running in SP mode. If you are that cam needs to be repaired or replaced. There is no reason for a cam to be that sensitive to tape when running in SP mode.

May 24th, 2004, 09:07 AM	#10
Robert Dombaj Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 27	Hi Bill, Yes, I'm running SP mode. I've never even considered running LP on the GL-2. I was referring to the Panasonic 80 min tape, forgot the model number. Now that my camera is out of warranty, I wonder how Canon will resolve this. As a backup, the camera was purchased with my Visa Gold card and they extend any warranties by a year. Robert D.