My DVX100 broken already at DVinfo.net

Sam Looc · May 25th, 2003, 08:59 PM

I bought my dvx on March 16 of this year and its broken already. When on stand by, camera mode or sometime while recording the camera would stop and detect that there is no tape in the camera even though there is a tape inside. The little, red no tape sign would blink on the top left of the screen. I would have to tap the cam a bit before it detects a tape in there again. It happens real often and almost everytime I put the camera on stand by now. At first I was rewinding a tape and it happened. I was wondering if anyone know whats going on and/or if this has happen to anyone else? I live in Oakland CA and wondering if anyone can direct me to the nearest certified dealer. Thanks.

Jeff Donald · May 25th, 2003, 09:21 PM

Your camera has either a tape detect switch or sensor going bad (best guess). There could be any of a dozen causes. I would send it back to Panasonic for warranty service.

Jarred Land · May 27th, 2003, 04:07 PM

this actually could more be due to your heads and caps being dirty by mixing tape brands.. the lubes from each tape has caused a glue. I suggest trying to clean your heads and caps (not with a tape but with photo qtips and cleaner)

Ken Tanaka · May 27th, 2003, 04:49 PM

Sam,
With such a new camera take Jeff's advice, not Jarred's. This clearly sounds like an electromechanical defect in the tape transport subsystem. Let Panasonic address the problem. Don't void your warranty by playing doctor.

Jarred Land · May 27th, 2003, 05:02 PM

... just telling you what happend to me.. thought i could help.. sorry... will keep my mouth shut.....

Just thought a possible quick fix is better than going a month without the camera. This has happened to alot of people when they mix sony and pany tapes. A head cleaning fixes it 90% of the time. being new has nothing to do with it, he could have already shot more than people have had the camera for 8 months.

PS. he's not voiding any warranty by manually cleaning his heads, its not like he has to take the camera apart.

Sam Looc · May 27th, 2003, 11:48 PM

Thanks for everyones input. I will try cleaning the head first and if it does not fix the problem then I will contact panasonic. I have shot alot of footages with it and did mixed tapes before. Thanks again.

Jarred Land · May 28th, 2003, 12:18 AM

k sam let me know if that helped :)

and its good to hear you are using the camera alot, if you have a finished project post a link, everyone here would love to see it!

Jeff Donald · May 28th, 2003, 03:55 AM

The tape detect switch (detecting the presence of the tape) is separate from sensing a head clog. Usually two different indications are given in view finder.

Cleaning your heads will not void your warranty, but an inexperienced user with q-tips is quite likely to break a head or cause other damage that will void the warranty.

Jarred Land · May 28th, 2003, 08:52 AM

DONT USE NORMAL QTIPS! use photo qtips.

Sam Looc · May 28th, 2003, 05:48 PM

Ok, thanks. Where can I get photo Q-tips?

May 25th, 2003, 08:59 PM	#1
Sam Looc Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oakland Posts: 49	My DVX100 broken already I bought my dvx on March 16 of this year and its broken already. When on stand by, camera mode or sometime while recording the camera would stop and detect that there is no tape in the camera even though there is a tape inside. The little, red no tape sign would blink on the top left of the screen. I would have to tap the cam a bit before it detects a tape in there again. It happens real often and almost everytime I put the camera on stand by now. At first I was rewinding a tape and it happened. I was wondering if anyone know whats going on and/or if this has happen to anyone else? I live in Oakland CA and wondering if anyone can direct me to the nearest certified dealer. Thanks.

May 25th, 2003, 09:21 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Your camera has either a tape detect switch or sensor going bad (best guess). There could be any of a dozen causes. I would send it back to Panasonic for warranty service. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 27th, 2003, 04:49 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Sam, With such a new camera take Jeff's advice, not Jarred's. This clearly sounds like an electromechanical defect in the tape transport subsystem. Let Panasonic address the problem. Don't void your warranty by playing doctor. __________________ 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

May 28th, 2003, 03:55 AM	#8
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The tape detect switch (detecting the presence of the tape) is separate from sensing a head clog. Usually two different indications are given in view finder. Cleaning your heads will not void your warranty, but an inexperienced user with q-tips is quite likely to break a head or cause other damage that will void the warranty. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 27th, 2003, 04:07 PM	#3
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	this actually could more be due to your heads and caps being dirty by mixing tape brands.. the lubes from each tape has caused a glue. I suggest trying to clean your heads and caps (not with a tape but with photo qtips and cleaner)

May 27th, 2003, 05:02 PM	#5
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	... just telling you what happend to me.. thought i could help.. sorry... will keep my mouth shut..... Just thought a possible quick fix is better than going a month without the camera. This has happened to alot of people when they mix sony and pany tapes. A head cleaning fixes it 90% of the time. being new has nothing to do with it, he could have already shot more than people have had the camera for 8 months. PS. he's not voiding any warranty by manually cleaning his heads, its not like he has to take the camera apart.

May 27th, 2003, 11:48 PM	#6
Sam Looc Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oakland Posts: 49	Thanks for everyones input. I will try cleaning the head first and if it does not fix the problem then I will contact panasonic. I have shot alot of footages with it and did mixed tapes before. Thanks again.

May 28th, 2003, 12:18 AM	#7
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	k sam let me know if that helped :) and its good to hear you are using the camera alot, if you have a finished project post a link, everyone here would love to see it!

May 28th, 2003, 08:52 AM	#9
Jarred Land DVX User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 281	DONT USE NORMAL QTIPS! use photo qtips.

May 28th, 2003, 05:48 PM	#10
Sam Looc Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oakland Posts: 49	Ok, thanks. Where can I get photo Q-tips?