Dropouts at DVinfo.net

G. Randy Brown · December 18th, 2003, 09:48 PM

Hi all,
I have had one of my XL1S' for about a year and I'm having dropouts using Sony Premium tapes (I've cleaned the heads only twice in that time because I've read it's not good on the heads). I use it for commercial use and presume it's about ready for a head cleaning/adjustment, but before I do, I wanted to see if you guys could tell me how many minimum/maximum hours it should have before sending it in. Also, where are the hours logged, I can't seem to find it in the menu?
TIA,
Randy

Edward Troxel · December 18th, 2003, 10:47 PM

In 4 years, I have one camera that has gone back 3 times and 2 that have never gone back. So... it's kind of hard to say.

One camera was purchased about 2 years ago - the other two (including the one that has been sent in 3 times) were purchased about 4 years ago.

My reason for sending it in was head alignment problems. The tapes gradually got to the point where they would not play in my deck.

Ken Tanaka · December 18th, 2003, 10:54 PM

Sorry to hear of your trouble, Randy.

Canon video cameras do not feature a run-time hour counter. I've seen various figures slung around here regarding the mean time between maintence and head life for this, and other cameras. But since there is no run-time meter I put no credence in such figures and would not want to repeat and potentially propagate such nonsense.

Since you've cleaned the heads it might be worth trying a diffferent brand of tape. There have been quite a few folks who have reported trouble using Sony tape in Canon cameras. I don't want to propagate this rumor either, but I've seen quite a bit of this issue here over the past couple of years. The Panasonic PQ's would probably be comparable to, or better than, what you're using. It seems that in this case you've nothing to lose, as your next step will be to Canon Service anyway.

Good luck to you, Randy.

G. Randy Brown · December 19th, 2003, 08:52 AM

Thanks guys,
I think I'll try to clean the heads again. I have a Panasonic dry cleaner but I'm wondering if a wet cleaner would be better/safer. While you're at it, can anyone tell me if Canon charges for head alignment/cleaning during warranty?
Thanks,
Randy
Edit: I was just thinking after posting and thought I should let you know: what I'm calling dropout is an occasional 1 or 2 frame pixelation sometimes with an audio glitch...am I using the right term, dropout, or would dropout only mean, say, several frames of black? Please excuse my ignorance.

Jeff Donald · December 19th, 2003, 01:23 PM

I don't believe there are any mini DV wet tape cleaners. Do a search on head cleaning and you find many threads on this topic. Contact Canon Service for information on their pricing. Your use of the word dropout seems accurate.

G. Randy Brown · December 19th, 2003, 03:09 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate your time.
Randy

December 18th, 2003, 09:48 PM	#1
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	Dropouts Hi all, I have had one of my XL1S' for about a year and I'm having dropouts using Sony Premium tapes (I've cleaned the heads only twice in that time because I've read it's not good on the heads). I use it for commercial use and presume it's about ready for a head cleaning/adjustment, but before I do, I wanted to see if you guys could tell me how many minimum/maximum hours it should have before sending it in. Also, where are the hours logged, I can't seem to find it in the menu? TIA, Randy

December 18th, 2003, 10:54 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Sorry to hear of your trouble, Randy. Canon video cameras do not feature a run-time hour counter. I've seen various figures slung around here regarding the mean time between maintence and head life for this, and other cameras. But since there is no run-time meter I put no credence in such figures and would not want to repeat and potentially propagate such nonsense. Since you've cleaned the heads it might be worth trying a diffferent brand of tape. There have been quite a few folks who have reported trouble using Sony tape in Canon cameras. I don't want to propagate this rumor either, but I've seen quite a bit of this issue here over the past couple of years. The Panasonic PQ's would probably be comparable to, or better than, what you're using. It seems that in this case you've nothing to lose, as your next step will be to Canon Service anyway. Good luck to you, Randy. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 19th, 2003, 01:23 PM	#5
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I don't believe there are any mini DV wet tape cleaners. Do a search on head cleaning and you find many threads on this topic. Contact Canon Service for information on their pricing. Your use of the word dropout seems accurate. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 18th, 2003, 10:47 PM	#2
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	In 4 years, I have one camera that has gone back 3 times and 2 that have never gone back. So... it's kind of hard to say. One camera was purchased about 2 years ago - the other two (including the one that has been sent in 3 times) were purchased about 4 years ago. My reason for sending it in was head alignment problems. The tapes gradually got to the point where they would not play in my deck.

December 19th, 2003, 08:52 AM	#4
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	Thanks guys, I think I'll try to clean the heads again. I have a Panasonic dry cleaner but I'm wondering if a wet cleaner would be better/safer. While you're at it, can anyone tell me if Canon charges for head alignment/cleaning during warranty? Thanks, Randy Edit: I was just thinking after posting and thought I should let you know: what I'm calling dropout is an occasional 1 or 2 frame pixelation sometimes with an audio glitch...am I using the right term, dropout, or would dropout only mean, say, several frames of black? Please excuse my ignorance.

December 19th, 2003, 03:09 PM	#6
G. Randy Brown Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 288	Thanks guys, I appreciate your time. Randy