What causes this "zzzzzt"? at DVinfo.net

Helen Habib · December 5th, 2007, 11:02 AM

Hi, perhaps someone can suggest what the reason for this is?

I bought the Panasonic AG-DVC30 from the used department at B&H in September of this year. It was virtually brand new as it registered 0 hours. I've done about 3 hours of videotaping on it already and on playback there is an extremely quick, split-second line that appears on the TV screen. This happens very infrequently but I'm concerned that it's there at all.

It's almost as if there's some interference or something that was recorded, not much sound comes out when it happens as I recall. Maybe an extremely brief "zzzt" if that much.

What do you think this could be?

Hans Ledel · December 6th, 2007, 11:54 AM

It could be a "dropout" due to a dirty drum.

Try a cleaning tape and run that for about 10 sec.
Sometimes even new cams need to have the drum cleaned.

Helen Habib · December 6th, 2007, 12:10 PM

Thank you! I will clean the drum.

Bob Hart · December 11th, 2007, 06:03 AM

Helen.

Chances are that it is a new drum and heads polishing down into conformity with the shape of the tape passing around.

Stay with one brand of tape. Don't mix Sony and any other brand. If you have started on Sony tapes, then stay with them.

("Zzzzzzt" sounds benign compared to some of the sound which come out of faulty playback.)

Keep an eye on the problem and log all uses so the times it occurrs will appear in a systematic accurate account. Include in your log, the timecode number. This is sometimes helpful in identifying a tension fault in the tape transport.

Likely you will see a decreasing trend as the transport settles down. If there is an increasing trend, then you may need to have it looked at.

Helen Habib · December 11th, 2007, 06:22 AM

Bob, thanks very much. I'm only using Panasonic tapes and the Panasonic head cleaner. I'll follow your suggestion about noting when it occurs.

I'm relieved that, judging from your both comments (Hans and you), it doesn't appear to be a technical problem.

Hans Ledel · December 11th, 2007, 09:51 AM

Helen, I´ve had a couple of "zzzzt" on my GS 400 when it was new, shortly followed by a "clean drum " message on my cam.

I did use a cleaning tape and the problem was gone.

Cheers

Hans

Helen Habib · December 11th, 2007, 11:18 AM

Hans, it's a relief to hear that!!

Bob Hart · December 11th, 2007, 04:26 PM

There will come the time when it should be serviced. Probably about 300 hours or so might be the time. Follow your manufacturere's recommendations over anything I say.

However if it gets dusted or ocean beach sand on it, have it looked at.

Anecdotally, it seems that after a first re-alignment of the transport, it lasts longer before the next one is needed, all else being equal.

Helen Habib · December 12th, 2007, 06:06 AM

Okay, thanks again.

December 5th, 2007, 11:02 AM	#1
Helen Habib Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173	What causes this "zzzzzt"? Hi, perhaps someone can suggest what the reason for this is? I bought the Panasonic AG-DVC30 from the used department at B&H in September of this year. It was virtually brand new as it registered 0 hours. I've done about 3 hours of videotaping on it already and on playback there is an extremely quick, split-second line that appears on the TV screen. This happens very infrequently but I'm concerned that it's there at all. It's almost as if there's some interference or something that was recorded, not much sound comes out when it happens as I recall. Maybe an extremely brief "zzzt" if that much. What do you think this could be?

December 6th, 2007, 11:54 AM	#2
Hans Ledel Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 184	It could be a "dropout" due to a dirty drum. Try a cleaning tape and run that for about 10 sec. Sometimes even new cams need to have the drum cleaned. __________________ Remember, that English is my second language.

December 11th, 2007, 09:51 AM	#6
Hans Ledel Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 184	Helen, I´ve had a couple of "zzzzt" on my GS 400 when it was new, shortly followed by a "clean drum " message on my cam. I did use a cleaning tape and the problem was gone. Cheers Hans __________________ Remember, that English is my second language.

December 6th, 2007, 12:10 PM	#3
Helen Habib Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173	Thank you! I will clean the drum.

December 11th, 2007, 06:03 AM	#4
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	Helen. Chances are that it is a new drum and heads polishing down into conformity with the shape of the tape passing around. Stay with one brand of tape. Don't mix Sony and any other brand. If you have started on Sony tapes, then stay with them. ("Zzzzzzt" sounds benign compared to some of the sound which come out of faulty playback.) Keep an eye on the problem and log all uses so the times it occurrs will appear in a systematic accurate account. Include in your log, the timecode number. This is sometimes helpful in identifying a tension fault in the tape transport. Likely you will see a decreasing trend as the transport settles down. If there is an increasing trend, then you may need to have it looked at.

December 11th, 2007, 06:22 AM	#5
Helen Habib Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173	Bob, thanks very much. I'm only using Panasonic tapes and the Panasonic head cleaner. I'll follow your suggestion about noting when it occurs. I'm relieved that, judging from your both comments (Hans and you), it doesn't appear to be a technical problem.

December 11th, 2007, 11:18 AM	#7
Helen Habib Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173	Hans, it's a relief to hear that!!

December 11th, 2007, 04:26 PM	#8
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	There will come the time when it should be serviced. Probably about 300 hours or so might be the time. Follow your manufacturere's recommendations over anything I say. However if it gets dusted or ocean beach sand on it, have it looked at. Anecdotally, it seems that after a first re-alignment of the transport, it lasts longer before the next one is needed, all else being equal.

December 12th, 2007, 06:06 AM	#9
Helen Habib Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173	Okay, thanks again.