Tape or camera issue? at DVinfo.net

Cody Foltz · October 2nd, 2006, 11:55 PM

I have a Cannon GL2, which is about three year old. The other day I shot three tapes worth of footage. When I went to capture my footage, I switched the camera to VTR mode and hit rewind. It goes for about 3 or 4 seconds and then the camera stops and flashes eject on the LCD. I eject the tape and when I pull it out the tape is stiking out of the minidv casete as if it got jamed. I used the same tape stock that I have alwaysed used since I initially bought the camera, JVC 60min DV, and these tape where brand new by the way. I tried my second tape and the same error message occured but luckaly this time it didn't eat up the tape.

So my questions are these: Could this be an issue of bad tape stock? Could it be a hardware issue with the camera? (I have never sent the camera in for repair/cleaning) would it be possible to send it in even though the one year warrenty is up?

Any help or advice is aprecheated, thanks.

Jarrod Whaley · October 3rd, 2006, 12:40 AM

Sounds like a problem with the tape mechanism to me, and unfortunately, these have been well-documented in the GL2. I hope I'm not right though; it's an expensive fix.

Owen Dawe · October 3rd, 2006, 12:52 AM

Hi Cody, Sounds a bit like the camera needs a clean. Especially if it's never been done. Your repair shop will be pleased to see your camera warranty or not. The bad news is even if under the warranty they would say something like this is outside the warranty anyway.

As a first stop you could try a head cleaning tape. Important. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS with the head cleaning tape carefully. You only need run it a few seconds, otherwise you wreck the camera heads.

Also your graunched up tapes could be knackered as well. Don't run them through your camera. Damaged tape can wreck havock with the camera heads.

Cody Foltz · October 5th, 2006, 04:36 PM

Thanks for your advice, I took the camera to a Cannon repair center and they said that most likely they would be replacing components inside the unit. They said that they basially use a tape cleaner, which I also did myself, but as you said if I ran it too long then it could have damaged the heads. So I'm guesing theyll probably have to replace some parts or just clean the play heads more thoroughly.

Thanks again.

October 2nd, 2006, 11:55 PM	#1
Cody Foltz New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: FL Posts: 17	Tape or camera issue? I have a Cannon GL2, which is about three year old. The other day I shot three tapes worth of footage. When I went to capture my footage, I switched the camera to VTR mode and hit rewind. It goes for about 3 or 4 seconds and then the camera stops and flashes eject on the LCD. I eject the tape and when I pull it out the tape is stiking out of the minidv casete as if it got jamed. I used the same tape stock that I have alwaysed used since I initially bought the camera, JVC 60min DV, and these tape where brand new by the way. I tried my second tape and the same error message occured but luckaly this time it didn't eat up the tape. So my questions are these: Could this be an issue of bad tape stock? Could it be a hardware issue with the camera? (I have never sent the camera in for repair/cleaning) would it be possible to send it in even though the one year warrenty is up? Any help or advice is aprecheated, thanks.

October 3rd, 2006, 12:40 AM	#2
Jarrod Whaley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: chattanooga, tn Posts: 721	Sounds like a problem with the tape mechanism to me, and unfortunately, these have been well-documented in the GL2. I hope I'm not right though; it's an expensive fix. __________________ -->jarrod whaley. www.oakstreetfilms.com

October 3rd, 2006, 12:52 AM	#3
Owen Dawe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand Posts: 244	Hi Cody, Sounds a bit like the camera needs a clean. Especially if it's never been done. Your repair shop will be pleased to see your camera warranty or not. The bad news is even if under the warranty they would say something like this is outside the warranty anyway. As a first stop you could try a head cleaning tape. Important. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS with the head cleaning tape carefully. You only need run it a few seconds, otherwise you wreck the camera heads. Also your graunched up tapes could be knackered as well. Don't run them through your camera. Damaged tape can wreck havock with the camera heads. __________________ Owen

October 5th, 2006, 04:36 PM	#4
Cody Foltz New Boot Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: FL Posts: 17	Thanks Thanks for your advice, I took the camera to a Cannon repair center and they said that most likely they would be replacing components inside the unit. They said that they basially use a tape cleaner, which I also did myself, but as you said if I ran it too long then it could have damaged the heads. So I'm guesing theyll probably have to replace some parts or just clean the play heads more thoroughly. Thanks again. __________________ Left Digital Media http://leftdigitalmedia.com