What is my DVX100A trying to tell me? (photos inside) at DVinfo.net

Andre Andreev · March 21st, 2005, 01:00 AM

What happened: During an interview, after I pressed "Record", the display started displaying an "X" in a red circle.

"X" on the screen:
http://www.instantclassic.org/dv/pho...g-x-on-lcd.jpg

I tried playing the tape, and the LCD screen flickered between solid blue and an image "broken into" alternate stripes which seemed to consist of scenes recorded one minute apart. (see below)

Blinking Screen:
http://www.instantclassic.org/dv/pho...back-blink.jpg

Twilight zone time warp:
http://www.instantclassic.org/dv/pho...ack-2-in-1.jpg

2 hours (and 2 cancelled interviews) later I returned home and played the tape in my other, "deck" camera - perfect playback. I tried recording with the DVX again, on the same tape - and the camera recorded OK. Tried to play the tape - played OK!

What should I do?
Technical uncertainty doesn't fit in my workflow - high stakes interviews, live events, etc.
Has any of you experienced AND resolved a similar issue?
Should I send the camera for cleaning (and if yes, who do I send it to under my 2-year MACK warranty?).

A few facts:
- I only use brand new AY-DVM63MQ tapes. No other tape has ever been inserted in this camera. Last 20-30 tapes are from the same 50-tape box I bought (EVS Online).
- The camera is used for recording only, never playback (with the exception of checking the recording quality in the field).
- 47 hours on the heads
- I found a thread here which deals with what seems to be a similar issue but doesn't reach a clear conclusion/solution: http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread...nplayable+tape

Thank you in advance,
-- Andre
-- andreinla,
-- gmail dot com

Barry Green · March 21st, 2005, 02:17 AM

It's saying its heads are dirty. You need to run the cleaning tape.

Tim Brechlin · March 21st, 2005, 03:45 AM

I've also been told that the X can sometimes be an indicator of one of the gyros jamming.

Barry Green · March 21st, 2005, 03:51 AM

That error message is usually something like PSD NG.

I looked at the picture Andre posted, and it's most definitely the head clog warning.

Peter Jefferson · March 22nd, 2005, 08:20 AM

that it is.. also with the glitch your seeing, its perfectly consistant with dirty heads or bad media..

usually bad media is what causes the dirty heads in teh first place..

use a dry lube tape like the MQ series tapes and u wont have a problem..

I havent cleaned my cams heads now for 60hrs and its still crystla clear..

Rush Hamden · March 22nd, 2005, 09:25 PM

He is using clean MQ media from us, so I agree with Barry that somehow the heads got dirty. I used to get the red "X" and also the blue screen of death saying "Cylinder Lock error" on my camera every time I tried to shuttle across media. My DVX never liked shuttling, and even playback, but it recorded fine. I had it professionally head cleaned and never saw the error again, but then I also stopped using it for playback, unless it is a dire emergency. For a quick fix, I would say run a cleaning cassette through, and as long as the media plays well on another deck, then the recording heads are working to par. Or use Barry's guide to personally clean the heads properly with denatured alcohol and non-linting swab.

March 21st, 2005, 01:00 AM	#1
Andre Andreev Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 98	What is my DVX100A trying to tell me? (photos inside) What happened: During an interview, after I pressed "Record", the display started displaying an "X" in a red circle. "X" on the screen: http://www.instantclassic.org/dv/pho...g-x-on-lcd.jpg I tried playing the tape, and the LCD screen flickered between solid blue and an image "broken into" alternate stripes which seemed to consist of scenes recorded one minute apart. (see below) Blinking Screen: http://www.instantclassic.org/dv/pho...back-blink.jpg Twilight zone time warp: http://www.instantclassic.org/dv/pho...ack-2-in-1.jpg 2 hours (and 2 cancelled interviews) later I returned home and played the tape in my other, "deck" camera - perfect playback. I tried recording with the DVX again, on the same tape - and the camera recorded OK. Tried to play the tape - played OK! What should I do? Technical uncertainty doesn't fit in my workflow - high stakes interviews, live events, etc. Has any of you experienced AND resolved a similar issue? Should I send the camera for cleaning (and if yes, who do I send it to under my 2-year MACK warranty?). A few facts: - I only use brand new AY-DVM63MQ tapes. No other tape has ever been inserted in this camera. Last 20-30 tapes are from the same 50-tape box I bought (EVS Online). - The camera is used for recording only, never playback (with the exception of checking the recording quality in the field). - 47 hours on the heads - I found a thread here which deals with what seems to be a similar issue but doesn't reach a clear conclusion/solution: http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread...nplayable+tape Thank you in advance, -- Andre -- andreinla, -- gmail dot com __________________ It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. -- Seneca

March 22nd, 2005, 09:25 PM	#6
Rush Hamden Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Burbank, California Posts: 122	He is using clean MQ media from us, so I agree with Barry that somehow the heads got dirty. I used to get the red "X" and also the blue screen of death saying "Cylinder Lock error" on my camera every time I tried to shuttle across media. My DVX never liked shuttling, and even playback, but it recorded fine. I had it professionally head cleaned and never saw the error again, but then I also stopped using it for playback, unless it is a dire emergency. For a quick fix, I would say run a cleaning cassette through, and as long as the media plays well on another deck, then the recording heads are working to par. Or use Barry's guide to personally clean the heads properly with denatured alcohol and non-linting swab. __________________ Want to get more from your hard-earned gear? Digital Cinema Filmmaking Course 24 hours of educational video on 16 DVDs, focused on filmmaking savvy, examples, demonstrations, and tips. Learn Scriptwriting, Formatting, Editing, Camera Operation, Lighting, Exposure, Audio, and Directing.

March 21st, 2005, 02:17 AM	#2
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	It's saying its heads are dirty. You need to run the cleaning tape.

March 21st, 2005, 03:45 AM	#3
Tim Brechlin Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dubuque, IA Posts: 39	I've also been told that the X can sometimes be an indicator of one of the gyros jamming.

March 21st, 2005, 03:51 AM	#4
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	That error message is usually something like PSD NG. I looked at the picture Andre posted, and it's most definitely the head clog warning.

March 22nd, 2005, 08:20 AM	#5
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	that it is.. also with the glitch your seeing, its perfectly consistant with dirty heads or bad media.. usually bad media is what causes the dirty heads in teh first place.. use a dry lube tape like the MQ series tapes and u wont have a problem.. I havent cleaned my cams heads now for 60hrs and its still crystla clear..