Error message ingesting DV tape into FCP at DVinfo.net

Catherine Hartman · June 27th, 2011, 05:50 AM

I am shooting on a Sony PD170 in DV SP format on Sony Mini DV ME tapes. I am editing on a MacBook Pro FCP 7.0.3. with capture set to DV NTSC. When capturing, I am getting the following error: "Capture encountered a problem reading data on your source tape. This could be due to a problem with the tape." It happens with clip, batch, and capture now. It has happened several times on different tapes. Does anyone know why this may be happening and what I can do to fix it?

Thanks, Catherine

Shaun Roemich · June 27th, 2011, 11:51 AM

Clean your heads. Dropouts are often a result of dirty heads from accumulation of dust and other debris due to environment and/or differing tape stocks. The dropout MAY be permanently "written" to the tape if the heads were dirty at the time of recording or the problem may simply be that the heads are CURRENTLY dirty.

Use a Sony branded cleaning cassette following the enclosed instructions EXACTLY.

Cleaning cassettes are VERY abrasive and prolonged usage can "sand" the heads clean off of the head drum assembly.

Catherine Hartman · June 27th, 2011, 10:48 PM

I thought that may be the problem because its very dirty here, but I am hesitant to use those cleaning tapes. Also, I am not getting any eror message from the camera that says its needs cleaning, so I am curious about that. There's one that's hanging around here I don't know any background- such as previous use- would it be fine to use? It doesn't have any instructions how long do you run it? Are there other options like swabbing with q tips with alcohol? There's no opportunity here for any kind of service but am going back to the States next week and thought I could take it and get it cleaned professionally? Thanks for the help!

Shaun Roemich · June 28th, 2011, 11:54 AM

Been using abrasive head cleaning tapes for 12 years and haven't burned out a set of heads yet on my old PD150, my DHR1000 VTR or on either of my JVC ProHD cams.

10 seconds usually.

I clean heads about every 20 tape hours as I CAN'T afford a drop out. This is VERY likely excessive. Or every time I pass JVC/Panasonic tapes over Sony heads or vice versa which IN MY EXPERIENCE (your experience may well vary...) causes me the only issues I ever have around head clogs.

June 27th, 2011, 05:50 AM	#1
Catherine Hartman Tourist Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kabul Afghanistan Posts: 2	Error message ingesting DV tape into FCP I am shooting on a Sony PD170 in DV SP format on Sony Mini DV ME tapes. I am editing on a MacBook Pro FCP 7.0.3. with capture set to DV NTSC. When capturing, I am getting the following error: "Capture encountered a problem reading data on your source tape. This could be due to a problem with the tape." It happens with clip, batch, and capture now. It has happened several times on different tapes. Does anyone know why this may be happening and what I can do to fix it? Thanks, Catherine

June 27th, 2011, 11:51 AM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Re: Error message ingesting DV tape into FCP Clean your heads. Dropouts are often a result of dirty heads from accumulation of dust and other debris due to environment and/or differing tape stocks. The dropout MAY be permanently "written" to the tape if the heads were dirty at the time of recording or the problem may simply be that the heads are CURRENTLY dirty. Use a Sony branded cleaning cassette following the enclosed instructions EXACTLY. Cleaning cassettes are VERY abrasive and prolonged usage can "sand" the heads clean off of the head drum assembly. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

June 27th, 2011, 10:48 PM	#3
Catherine Hartman Tourist Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kabul Afghanistan Posts: 2	Re: Error message ingesting DV tape into FCP I thought that may be the problem because its very dirty here, but I am hesitant to use those cleaning tapes. Also, I am not getting any eror message from the camera that says its needs cleaning, so I am curious about that. There's one that's hanging around here I don't know any background- such as previous use- would it be fine to use? It doesn't have any instructions how long do you run it? Are there other options like swabbing with q tips with alcohol? There's no opportunity here for any kind of service but am going back to the States next week and thought I could take it and get it cleaned professionally? Thanks for the help! Last edited by Catherine Hartman; June 27th, 2011 at 11:03 PM. Reason: new thought- no error message from camera

June 28th, 2011, 11:54 AM	#4
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Re: Error message ingesting DV tape into FCP Been using abrasive head cleaning tapes for 12 years and haven't burned out a set of heads yet on my old PD150, my DHR1000 VTR or on either of my JVC ProHD cams. 10 seconds usually. I clean heads about every 20 tape hours as I CAN'T afford a drop out. This is VERY likely excessive. Or every time I pass JVC/Panasonic tapes over Sony heads or vice versa which IN MY EXPERIENCE (your experience may well vary...) causes me the only issues I ever have around head clogs. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/