Time code loss at DVinfo.net

George Macdonald · November 22nd, 2004, 02:26 PM

Hi,
Here I am - in trouble again! My problem this time is that twice recently I have lost the time code. The first time I was using a Panasonic 3ccd camera - the model number escapes me - and the second time my own XL1s. The pattern each time was very similar:-

about 1 minute into the tape I lost the picture for about 4/5 minutes. However there was no indication of this in the viewfinder and the clock kept ticking. This only became apparent when the tape was replayed. Then about 40 minutes into the tape I noticed in the viewfinder that the clock had zeroed and when replayed I found that I had lost the picture for about 1 minute and the clock had indeed gone back to zero when the picture reappeared.

Because 2 different cameras were used my first instinct is to go for faulty tapes - both tapes were new and out of the same box but I would appreciate any comments from you. The tapes were Panasonic Master Quality and were FF and then rewound before use, to tension them to the camera they were to be used in.

Let me throw this in as well:- I video sport and do a lot of in-camera editing to avoid time wastage when the game stops for injuries etc. Could this constant use of the pause button affect things in any way?

I look forward to your comments.

Rob Lohman · November 25th, 2004, 05:24 AM

Your asking the wrong question! <g> It is normal that the timecode
is lost on a break in the picture. The real question is what caused
the break in the first place.

Your original guess would be mind as well. The tapes. Especially
since you say "from the same box"!! You might have thought this
proved the opposite, but it indicates that perhaps that batch
(which probably came from the same machine/assembly line/raw
material drum etc.) was NOT good!

For some reason I (at least in my mind) keep seeing these kind
of issues with Panasonic, although others say this usually happens
with other brands.

I would do some more tests from the same box to see if you can
repeat it. Then do some tests from another box.

It might also be time to run a cleaning tape if that also doesn't
help it might be time to send the camera in to Canon for cleaning
and/or switch tape brands?

November 22nd, 2004, 02:26 PM	#1
George Macdonald New Boot Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Selkirk, Scotland Posts: 5	Time code loss Hi, Here I am - in trouble again! My problem this time is that twice recently I have lost the time code. The first time I was using a Panasonic 3ccd camera - the model number escapes me - and the second time my own XL1s. The pattern each time was very similar:- about 1 minute into the tape I lost the picture for about 4/5 minutes. However there was no indication of this in the viewfinder and the clock kept ticking. This only became apparent when the tape was replayed. Then about 40 minutes into the tape I noticed in the viewfinder that the clock had zeroed and when replayed I found that I had lost the picture for about 1 minute and the clock had indeed gone back to zero when the picture reappeared. Because 2 different cameras were used my first instinct is to go for faulty tapes - both tapes were new and out of the same box but I would appreciate any comments from you. The tapes were Panasonic Master Quality and were FF and then rewound before use, to tension them to the camera they were to be used in. Let me throw this in as well:- I video sport and do a lot of in-camera editing to avoid time wastage when the game stops for injuries etc. Could this constant use of the pause button affect things in any way? I look forward to your comments. __________________ George

November 25th, 2004, 05:24 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Your asking the wrong question! <g> It is normal that the timecode is lost on a break in the picture. The real question is what caused the break in the first place. Your original guess would be mind as well. The tapes. Especially since you say "from the same box"!! You might have thought this proved the opposite, but it indicates that perhaps that batch (which probably came from the same machine/assembly line/raw material drum etc.) was NOT good! For some reason I (at least in my mind) keep seeing these kind of issues with Panasonic, although others say this usually happens with other brands. I would do some more tests from the same box to see if you can repeat it. Then do some tests from another box. It might also be time to run a cleaning tape if that also doesn't help it might be time to send the camera in to Canon for cleaning and/or switch tape brands? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors