Loading a tape at DVinfo.net

G. Randy Brown · July 3rd, 2010, 08:14 AM

Hey,
I recently bought a used XHA1 and wondering about the awkward loading/unloading of tapes....or if there's something wrong with mine.
The manual states slide the open/eject button and the tape compartment opens automatically. When I do this nothing happens unless I pull the door open and then the tape pops up. Is this normal or is the door supposed to open automatically also.
Thanks very much,
Randy

G. Randy Brown · July 3rd, 2010, 01:31 PM

30 people have viewed this and no one knows the answer?
Maybe I'm not being clear....if one slides the open/eject button does the door open by itself or do you have to pull it open?
Thank,
Randy

Bill Watson · July 3rd, 2010, 02:01 PM

You have to pull it open.

G. Randy Brown · July 3rd, 2010, 02:13 PM

Thank you Bill...I promise I'm not lazy, I just wanted to make sure it's not broken since it only has a couple of weeks warranty on it.

Allan Black · July 3rd, 2010, 02:18 PM

Yep pull the door open. BTW this came up previously when someone loading the tape in a hurry closed the door before the transport had fully bottomed and jammed the tape.

When you load a tape make sure you push PUSH.
Cheers.

G. Randy Brown · July 3rd, 2010, 03:02 PM

so you push where it states "do not push"?
Just kidding, I'm guessing you mean push in toward the cam and not down.

Philip Younger · July 3rd, 2010, 04:51 PM

Yes that would be right :-)

Its funny how instruction manuals often fail the obvious. I think they are sometimes (probably always) written by people who have been using the camera who think the 'simple' tasks are obvious and need no full explanation.

And they make mistakes (possibly manufacturers 'improvements) like my digital still camera that takes 4 AA batteries. The instruction book tells me to insert them one way, whereas the markers on the camera (which are correct) say to do it the opposite way.

However, I think my dad's old video recorder (one of those supermarket special offers made by some unknown Hong Kong manufacturers) the instructions were on a video cassette and if that wasn't enough, the first 20mins consisted of instructions in some far east language, needles to say there was no instruction on how to connect the VCR to the TV, and no mention that the Enlish instruction was some 20mins into the tape!

Allan Black · July 3rd, 2010, 06:00 PM

GR :))

Yep Phil, and the biggest clanger here is .. how the blazes did Canon manage to install the 2 A1 audio gain controls backwards .. so up is down and down is up!

How many quality control checks did that get passed and how freaked out are the workers not to rock the sampan?

Just shows the pressure they're all under and I think it's the same at all vid camera factories in this day and age.
Cheers.

G. Randy Brown · July 3rd, 2010, 06:02 PM

I posted a "LOL" but the forum stated I need to use at least 10 characters...so now maybe this will work...LOL!
Thanks,
Randy

Philip Younger · July 4th, 2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Black

GR :))

Yep Phil, and the biggest clanger here is .. how the blazes did Canon manage to install the 2 A1 audio gain controls backwards .. so up is down and down is up!

How many quality control checks did that get passed and how freaked out are the workers not to rock the sampan?

Just shows the pressure they're all under and I think it's the same at all vid camera factories in this day and age.
Cheers.

Allan, could you imagine the mess the A1/G1 would be in if Microsoft made it????

Bill Watson · July 4th, 2010, 03:41 PM

Actually, I see nothing wrong in the way Canon set up the audio controls.

The 'small' to 'large' dots seem to me to be a clear indication as to how they work and the 'arrow' at the back is also a good guide.

Looking from the back, the controls are obviously set up as they would be if you were adjusting a 'slider'. Once you get your head around that it's easy.

Of course, I'm one of the odd ones who sees nothing wrong with the standby switch either. I use it all the time and find its location quite logical and very convenient.

Allan Black · July 4th, 2010, 04:08 PM

Bill .. it still occasionally throws me and there was a lot of comment about this when the A1 first appeared. The A1s has 'corrected' it.
Cheers.

July 3rd, 2010, 08:14 AM	#1
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	Loading a tape Hey, I recently bought a used XHA1 and wondering about the awkward loading/unloading of tapes....or if there's something wrong with mine. The manual states slide the open/eject button and the tape compartment opens automatically. When I do this nothing happens unless I pull the door open and then the tape pops up. Is this normal or is the door supposed to open automatically also. Thanks very much, Randy

July 3rd, 2010, 02:18 PM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,937	Yep pull the door open. BTW this came up previously when someone loading the tape in a hurry closed the door before the transport had fully bottomed and jammed the tape. When you load a tape make sure you push PUSH. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 3rd, 2010, 06:00 PM	#8
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,937	GR :)) Yep Phil, and the biggest clanger here is .. how the blazes did Canon manage to install the 2 A1 audio gain controls backwards .. so up is down and down is up! How many quality control checks did that get passed and how freaked out are the workers not to rock the sampan? Just shows the pressure they're all under and I think it's the same at all vid camera factories in this day and age. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 4th, 2010, 04:08 PM	#12
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,937	Bill .. it still occasionally throws me and there was a lot of comment about this when the A1 first appeared. The A1s has 'corrected' it. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 3rd, 2010, 01:31 PM	#2
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	30 people have viewed this and no one knows the answer? Maybe I'm not being clear....if one slides the open/eject button does the door open by itself or do you have to pull it open? Thank, Randy

July 3rd, 2010, 02:01 PM	#3
Bill Watson Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Noosa Queensland Australia Posts: 248	You have to pull it open.

July 3rd, 2010, 02:13 PM	#4
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	Thank you Bill...I promise I'm not lazy, I just wanted to make sure it's not broken since it only has a couple of weeks warranty on it.

July 3rd, 2010, 03:02 PM	#6
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	so you push where it states "do not push"? Just kidding, I'm guessing you mean push in toward the cam and not down.

July 3rd, 2010, 04:51 PM	#7
Philip Younger Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 207	Yes that would be right :-) Its funny how instruction manuals often fail the obvious. I think they are sometimes (probably always) written by people who have been using the camera who think the 'simple' tasks are obvious and need no full explanation. And they make mistakes (possibly manufacturers 'improvements) like my digital still camera that takes 4 AA batteries. The instruction book tells me to insert them one way, whereas the markers on the camera (which are correct) say to do it the opposite way. However, I think my dad's old video recorder (one of those supermarket special offers made by some unknown Hong Kong manufacturers) the instructions were on a video cassette and if that wasn't enough, the first 20mins consisted of instructions in some far east language, needles to say there was no instruction on how to connect the VCR to the TV, and no mention that the Enlish instruction was some 20mins into the tape!

July 3rd, 2010, 06:02 PM	#9
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	I posted a "LOL" but the forum stated I need to use at least 10 characters...so now maybe this will work...LOL! Thanks, Randy

July 4th, 2010, 03:41 PM	#11
Bill Watson Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Noosa Queensland Australia Posts: 248	Actually, I see nothing wrong in the way Canon set up the audio controls. The 'small' to 'large' dots seem to me to be a clear indication as to how they work and the 'arrow' at the back is also a good guide. Looking from the back, the controls are obviously set up as they would be if you were adjusting a 'slider'. Once you get your head around that it's easy. Of course, I'm one of the odd ones who sees nothing wrong with the standby switch either. I use it all the time and find its location quite logical and very convenient.