Canon Xh-a1 tape mechanism problem! at DVinfo.net

Raneath Sokha · October 27th, 2007, 04:57 PM

Ok, so I got my A1 since January of this year. I sent it in for three times already, one for grit in the rings, one for broken headphone jack, and one for broken back-focus. Now, today, I was filming my little short movie and then at the end of the tape, I see that the tape is running out so I go get the tape and open the tape compartment to switch the tapes. Then, it struck again. The tape wouldn't come out. The mechanism just lifts the compartment up then it pushes back down. Usually after it pushes up and it ejects to the side and then you can get the tape, right? Well, this one, it just pushes up and goes back down. On the LCD, it says "remove the cassette." I've spent a couple of hours reading this on the Forum and it seems GL2 users have this similar problem, but A1? I already requested a repair but this is so lame when time is your enemy where you have to turn in the final project in 4 weeks and your freaking camera is broken. So, I just wanted to let everyone know about another flaw with Canon. I love the damn camera when it's not broken but this is the 4th time I have to send it in in less than a year. Damn!!!

Anyone encountered the same problem here?

Bill Pryor · October 27th, 2007, 06:01 PM

I will have had mine a year this December. No trouble at all.

Don Palomaki · October 27th, 2007, 07:08 PM

Raneath: Sorry to hear about your issues. Sounds like you and the A1 (or at least the one you got) were not meant for each other. Other folks appear to be faring much better with theirs.

David W. Jones · October 27th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raneath Sokha

Ok, So, I just wanted to let everyone know about another flaw with Canon. I love the damn camera when it's not broken but this is the 4th time I have to send it in in less than a year. Damn!!!

Anyone encountered the same problem here?

Nope, I'm a little more careful with my gear!

Matthew Amirkhani · October 27th, 2007, 08:49 PM

Hi There,

Here is the story I did took my camera to Canon service center last week for a check up and a good cleaning.

When I went to pick it up the guy told me that the technision did not find anything wrong with camera except that the mechanisim of the tape needed to be realigned and readjusted.

He said that if you force down the tape and or push down the tape holder, it will screw up everything including the head of the camera. Told me be Extremely gentle when putting and changing tapes and do it slowly!!!

Matthew

Nathan Quattrini · November 1st, 2007, 01:06 PM

sounds like you should use the warranty to get the camera replaced with that track record of issues, or be more careful with it.

Raneath Sokha · November 11th, 2007, 06:56 AM

hey, I got my camera back this past friday (they got it on last friday). Usually, it took longer until I get it back but I guess 4th time should really ring a bell with Canon lol. Anyways, they found out that the tape mechanism had a shock accident or something and the compartment was replaced. I've been very gentle with it most of the time except sometimes but still I have been very gentle with it but it just like to screws with me. But, hey I am still covered under original Canon warranty and I still have extended 3 more years of warranty after the Canon one expired.

Don Palomaki,

It is a love/hate relationship. But in the end, I think I and my A1 will make it after all these struggles they have gone through. It makes us stronger? lol

October 27th, 2007, 04:57 PM	#1
Raneath Sokha New Boot Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 11	Canon Xh-a1 tape mechanism problem! Ok, so I got my A1 since January of this year. I sent it in for three times already, one for grit in the rings, one for broken headphone jack, and one for broken back-focus. Now, today, I was filming my little short movie and then at the end of the tape, I see that the tape is running out so I go get the tape and open the tape compartment to switch the tapes. Then, it struck again. The tape wouldn't come out. The mechanism just lifts the compartment up then it pushes back down. Usually after it pushes up and it ejects to the side and then you can get the tape, right? Well, this one, it just pushes up and goes back down. On the LCD, it says "remove the cassette." I've spent a couple of hours reading this on the Forum and it seems GL2 users have this similar problem, but A1? I already requested a repair but this is so lame when time is your enemy where you have to turn in the final project in 4 weeks and your freaking camera is broken. So, I just wanted to let everyone know about another flaw with Canon. I love the damn camera when it's not broken but this is the 4th time I have to send it in in less than a year. Damn!!! Anyone encountered the same problem here?

October 27th, 2007, 07:08 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Raneath: Sorry to hear about your issues. Sounds like you and the A1 (or at least the one you got) were not meant for each other. Other folks appear to be faring much better with theirs. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

October 27th, 2007, 08:49 PM	#5
Matthew Amirkhani Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 279	Hi There, Here is the story I did took my camera to Canon service center last week for a check up and a good cleaning. When I went to pick it up the guy told me that the technision did not find anything wrong with camera except that the mechanisim of the tape needed to be realigned and readjusted. He said that if you force down the tape and or push down the tape holder, it will screw up everything including the head of the camera. Told me be Extremely gentle when putting and changing tapes and do it slowly!!! Matthew __________________ Canon XHA1, Brevis 35mm, Manfrotto 028,501,Vegas Pro 10e

November 1st, 2007, 01:06 PM	#6
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	sounds like you should use the warranty to get the camera replaced with that track record of issues, or be more careful with it. __________________ Cinematography Site

November 11th, 2007, 06:56 AM	#7
Raneath Sokha New Boot Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 11	hey, I got my camera back this past friday (they got it on last friday). Usually, it took longer until I get it back but I guess 4th time should really ring a bell with Canon lol. Anyways, they found out that the tape mechanism had a shock accident or something and the compartment was replaced. I've been very gentle with it most of the time except sometimes but still I have been very gentle with it but it just like to screws with me. But, hey I am still covered under original Canon warranty and I still have extended 3 more years of warranty after the Canon one expired. Don Palomaki, It is a love/hate relationship. But in the end, I think I and my A1 will make it after all these struggles they have gone through. It makes us stronger? lol Last edited by Pete Bauer; November 11th, 2007 at 07:14 AM. Reason: replaced "the B word" with "it"

October 27th, 2007, 06:01 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I will have had mine a year this December. No trouble at all.