Extract tape without power? at DVinfo.net

Matthew Petersen · February 22nd, 2011, 05:29 PM

Guys, I just can't seem to take a trick at the moment!

Yesterday one of our XLH1's died near the end of a shoot. By died I mean powered down suddenly, and can't be powered back on. No response, regardless of battery or AC power.

I have two questions:

1) Does the XLH1 have a fuse/breaker/hard reset procedure I could try before sending it away?

2) Is there a way I can extract the tape from the camera without damaging either? The tape has a half-days shooting on it that I'll need to start working on soon.

Unfortunately we have only one Canon repair office in the country, so sending the camera away usually means you're without it for a few weeks, but I really need that tape!

cheers

Matthew P

Simon Wood · February 23rd, 2011, 04:47 AM

No - the tape mechanism will have to be dismantled,and this has to be done by a technician.

Probably your main fuse has blown. Were you using any accessories (plugging them in or out while the camera was on) during the shoot?

Matthew Petersen · February 23rd, 2011, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wood

No - the tape mechanism will have to be dismantled,and this has to be done by a technician.

Probably your main fuse has blown. Were you using any accessories (plugging them in or out while the camera was on) during the shoot?

thanks Simon, the only non-standard thing we have on the camera is an IDX v-lock batt adapter, and we had no accessories plugged in.

Is the main fuse in a place accessible by a careful cameraman with a screwdriver? Obviously the camera is well out of warranty.

Matthew P

Mark Watson · February 23rd, 2011, 07:19 AM

It might be possible to energize the tape mechanism motor by applying 4vdc to its connections, which are accessible with the door open. Better if the door is removed. I operated my deck a few times and noted that this little motor operates when the mechanism is extending or retracting. The voltmeter I'm using isn't the best, (the power to the motor cuts off before the meter settles on a reading). Max reading was 3.88vdc. The attached photo shows the motor in the lower right corner. The power comes in on the two solder connections on the back of the motor. I'll take the voltage readings again tomorrow when I have my good meter. I'll also be able to verify the polarity for extending the mechanism. 'Course, I'll be sober by then, and probably feeling less adventurous about this.

**All standard disclaimers apply**

Mark

Simon Wood · February 23rd, 2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Petersen

Is the main fuse in a place accessible by a careful cameraman with a screwdriver? Obviously the camera is well out of warranty.

Matthew P

No - I believe it is soldered directly to the main board (!). The camera has to be dismantled to get at it. Nightmare.

I live in fear of this when I'm working out in Uganda where I usually live, because the nearest technician is in another continent....

Mark Watson · February 24th, 2011, 05:35 AM

Using a Fluke 289 meter, the voltage going to the motor was found to be 5vdc.
When ejecting the tape, the connection on the right ("B" in the photo) is positive, and "A" is negative. To retract the mechanism, reverse the connections.

Mark

Matthew Petersen · February 24th, 2011, 07:01 AM

Mark I really appreciate your effort on this. I'll have another look tomorrow and see how difficult it would be to get 5 volts down there with a couple of probes. It would certainly be a load off my mind not having to let the tape out of my sight.

Will report.

Matthew P

Mark Watson · February 24th, 2011, 07:20 AM

It's no trouble. I have the XL-H1A camera, so hopefully your XL-H1 tape transport mechanism is identical to mine. When I read your initial post, I grabbed my camera and naturally started looking for the little hole to put a paperclip into. Nothing found and nothing mentioned in the manual about this. I know I wouldn't want to turn in a camera for servicing with a tape installed. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to give this a try. We'll both be relieved if this method works.

February 22nd, 2011, 05:29 PM	#1
Matthew Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 28	Extract tape without power? Guys, I just can't seem to take a trick at the moment! Yesterday one of our XLH1's died near the end of a shoot. By died I mean powered down suddenly, and can't be powered back on. No response, regardless of battery or AC power. I have two questions: 1) Does the XLH1 have a fuse/breaker/hard reset procedure I could try before sending it away? 2) Is there a way I can extract the tape from the camera without damaging either? The tape has a half-days shooting on it that I'll need to start working on soon. Unfortunately we have only one Canon repair office in the country, so sending the camera away usually means you're without it for a few weeks, but I really need that tape! cheers Matthew P

February 23rd, 2011, 04:47 AM	#2
Simon Wood Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Entebbe Uganda Posts: 768	Re: Extract tape without power? No - the tape mechanism will have to be dismantled,and this has to be done by a technician. Probably your main fuse has blown. Were you using any accessories (plugging them in or out while the camera was on) during the shoot? __________________ http://vimeo.com/channels/guerrillafilms

February 23rd, 2011, 07:19 AM	#4
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Extract tape without power? It might be possible to energize the tape mechanism motor by applying 4vdc to its connections, which are accessible with the door open. Better if the door is removed. I operated my deck a few times and noted that this little motor operates when the mechanism is extending or retracting. The voltmeter I'm using isn't the best, (the power to the motor cuts off before the meter settles on a reading). Max reading was 3.88vdc. The attached photo shows the motor in the lower right corner. The power comes in on the two solder connections on the back of the motor. I'll take the voltage readings again tomorrow when I have my good meter. I'll also be able to verify the polarity for extending the mechanism. 'Course, I'll be sober by then, and probably feeling less adventurous about this. All standard disclaimers apply Mark Attached Thumbnails

February 24th, 2011, 05:35 AM	#6
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Extract tape without power? Using a Fluke 289 meter, the voltage going to the motor was found to be 5vdc. When ejecting the tape, the connection on the right ("B" in the photo) is positive, and "A" is negative. To retract the mechanism, reverse the connections. Mark Attached Thumbnails

February 24th, 2011, 07:01 AM	#7
Matthew Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 28	Re: Extract tape without power? Mark I really appreciate your effort on this. I'll have another look tomorrow and see how difficult it would be to get 5 volts down there with a couple of probes. It would certainly be a load off my mind not having to let the tape out of my sight. Will report. Matthew P

February 24th, 2011, 07:20 AM	#8
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Extract tape without power? It's no trouble. I have the XL-H1A camera, so hopefully your XL-H1 tape transport mechanism is identical to mine. When I read your initial post, I grabbed my camera and naturally started looking for the little hole to put a paperclip into. Nothing found and nothing mentioned in the manual about this. I know I wouldn't want to turn in a camera for servicing with a tape installed. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate to give this a try. We'll both be relieved if this method works.