Dropout mystery at DVinfo.net

John Locke · May 2nd, 2005, 01:05 PM

I'm having a tape dropout problem that has me bewildered. I'm using Panasonic DVM63MQ tapes in an XL-1. I taped a long training session that used up five tapes. On the fourth tape ONLY, I get dropouts, split frames, pixelation, dropped audio...but it's sporadic. If I hit fast-forward or rewind, the footage goes back to normal. If it starts acting up and I hit pause, then play again, it goes back to normal, but then starts acting up again.

What would make one tape do this when the others don't? And why would FF, rewind, or pause temporarily correct the problem?

I've cleaned my heads several times, but this one tape keeps acting up. The confusing thing is the dropouts happen in different places after cleaning, pause, FF, or RW.

(Nope...haven't used any other tapes in my camera...ever. Always DVM63MQ (except for the Canon head cleaner tape). And yep, I used the dry Canon head cleaner tape several times.)

Any tips on saving the footage (which doesn't appear to be lost)?

Aaron Koolen · May 2nd, 2005, 01:35 PM

Hmm, don't really know John, but could it be a head alignment problem? A difference between your camera and your deck (Or are you using the camera as a deck?)

Aaron

John Locke · May 2nd, 2005, 03:06 PM

Hi Aaron,

Yep...I'm using the camera as a deck. I guess I'll need to get my hands on another camcorder to see if I can salvage it. Not easy to find in these here parts.

Jack Smith · May 2nd, 2005, 10:07 PM

John, you can use any dv camera to play back the footage but that may not be be the problem.Is the footage on tape 4 any different? ( more contrast or faster motion or poor lighting)

John Locke · May 2nd, 2005, 10:09 PM

Jack,

It's all the same setup, lighting, speaker, etc.

John Locke · May 4th, 2005, 12:18 PM

Well... looks like the mystery is going to be solved one way or another. She just died this morning. Dead as a door nail. So I'm packing her up to send to New Jersey.

Keep your fingers crossed for me! [gulp]

May 2nd, 2005, 01:05 PM	#1
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Dropout mystery I'm having a tape dropout problem that has me bewildered. I'm using Panasonic DVM63MQ tapes in an XL-1. I taped a long training session that used up five tapes. On the fourth tape ONLY, I get dropouts, split frames, pixelation, dropped audio...but it's sporadic. If I hit fast-forward or rewind, the footage goes back to normal. If it starts acting up and I hit pause, then play again, it goes back to normal, but then starts acting up again. What would make one tape do this when the others don't? And why would FF, rewind, or pause temporarily correct the problem? I've cleaned my heads several times, but this one tape keeps acting up. The confusing thing is the dropouts happen in different places after cleaning, pause, FF, or RW. (Nope...haven't used any other tapes in my camera...ever. Always DVM63MQ (except for the Canon head cleaner tape). And yep, I used the dry Canon head cleaner tape several times.) Any tips on saving the footage (which doesn't appear to be lost)? __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

May 2nd, 2005, 01:35 PM	#2
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Hmm, don't really know John, but could it be a head alignment problem? A difference between your camera and your deck (Or are you using the camera as a deck?) Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

May 2nd, 2005, 03:06 PM	#3
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Hi Aaron, Yep...I'm using the camera as a deck. I guess I'll need to get my hands on another camcorder to see if I can salvage it. Not easy to find in these here parts. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

May 2nd, 2005, 10:09 PM	#5
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Jack, It's all the same setup, lighting, speaker, etc. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

May 4th, 2005, 12:18 PM	#6
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Well... looks like the mystery is going to be solved one way or another. She just died this morning. Dead as a door nail. So I'm packing her up to send to New Jersey. Keep your fingers crossed for me! [gulp] __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

May 2nd, 2005, 10:07 PM	#4
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	John, you can use any dv camera to play back the footage but that may not be be the problem.Is the footage on tape 4 any different? ( more contrast or faster motion or poor lighting)