Tape Path Alignment issue at DVinfo.net

David Morgan · February 15th, 2009, 11:34 AM

Getting complaints from an editor that one of my cameras (and I know which one) has a problem. The image is broken up and he says it won't track properly. He has to put the tape in another deck (different than the deck he usually uses) to be able to capture the footage. It's an early A1 and I never have problems with my 2nd A1.

I realize this explanation is a little fuzzy, however, I thought I remember seeing posts about Canon cameras and maybe.....Sony decks etc.. and tracking problems.

Any links?
thx

Daniel Epstein · February 15th, 2009, 01:56 PM

This fairly common and can crop up pretty quickly. Canon and Sony both can have this problem. The data recorded to tape is not quite aligned with the deck which is trying to read it so there are playback errors which are not being compensated for. Usually the better the playback deck the more likely the editor won't have problems. Worth sending in the camera to see if something in the tape path has worn and to readjust it so its alignment is corrected. The manufacturers should have figured out a way to have a tracking adjustment to deal with playback issues like this. Make sure you check other tapes from your camera because after it is adjusted it probably won't playback the tapes it recorded with the problem correctly either.

Bill Pryor · February 16th, 2009, 09:38 AM

If the heads are out of alignment on the camera that recorded the footage, then most likely it won't play back on anything except that camera. Make sure you get the tape back and dub it off to a second unit before sending the first camera in for adjustment. If you have the camera adjusted before doing that, then the tape won't play on it when you get the camera back.

Allan Black · February 16th, 2009, 04:05 PM

Dave, did you run the cleaner tape through your suspect A1, give it a good pass with a new one? Some cleaner tapes say you can use them twice, but that's also suspect IMO.

If you only use them when the heads and guides are very dirty, using them again will just deposit some of the collected gunk back onto the tape guides....IMO.

But if that editor has to put your suspect tape in another deck to get it to track Ok, wouldn't the problem be with his first playback deck?

But if you're like me, I'd get the tape back and follow Bills advice, going head to head with editors never worked for me :)

Cheers.

David Morgan · February 16th, 2009, 09:26 PM

yeh, these things are weird but when these issues come up, it's always with the same camera.
Problem is, Canon wants a flat $500.00 to go through the camera.

February 15th, 2009, 11:34 AM	#1
David Morgan Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 466	Tape Path Alignment issue Getting complaints from an editor that one of my cameras (and I know which one) has a problem. The image is broken up and he says it won't track properly. He has to put the tape in another deck (different than the deck he usually uses) to be able to capture the footage. It's an early A1 and I never have problems with my 2nd A1. I realize this explanation is a little fuzzy, however, I thought I remember seeing posts about Canon cameras and maybe.....Sony decks etc.. and tracking problems. Any links? thx

February 16th, 2009, 04:05 PM	#4
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,928	Dave, did you run the cleaner tape through your suspect A1, give it a good pass with a new one? Some cleaner tapes say you can use them twice, but that's also suspect IMO. If you only use them when the heads and guides are very dirty, using them again will just deposit some of the collected gunk back onto the tape guides....IMO. But if that editor has to put your suspect tape in another deck to get it to track Ok, wouldn't the problem be with his first playback deck? But if you're like me, I'd get the tape back and follow Bills advice, going head to head with editors never worked for me :) Cheers. Last edited by Allan Black; February 16th, 2009 at 04:09 PM. Reason: memory.

February 15th, 2009, 01:56 PM	#2
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	This fairly common and can crop up pretty quickly. Canon and Sony both can have this problem. The data recorded to tape is not quite aligned with the deck which is trying to read it so there are playback errors which are not being compensated for. Usually the better the playback deck the more likely the editor won't have problems. Worth sending in the camera to see if something in the tape path has worn and to readjust it so its alignment is corrected. The manufacturers should have figured out a way to have a tracking adjustment to deal with playback issues like this. Make sure you check other tapes from your camera because after it is adjusted it probably won't playback the tapes it recorded with the problem correctly either.

February 16th, 2009, 09:38 AM	#3
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	If the heads are out of alignment on the camera that recorded the footage, then most likely it won't play back on anything except that camera. Make sure you get the tape back and dub it off to a second unit before sending the first camera in for adjustment. If you have the camera adjusted before doing that, then the tape won't play on it when you get the camera back.

February 16th, 2009, 09:26 PM	#5
David Morgan Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 466	yeh, these things are weird but when these issues come up, it's always with the same camera. Problem is, Canon wants a flat $500.00 to go through the camera.