drop out and flash light? at DVinfo.net

Anthony Mooney · July 7th, 2004, 02:22 PM

Hi

Just a question, Does any body knows if lighting conditions (like flash light or strong light towards the camera) can cause drop outs?

I did a few events lately and all came out good as usual exept one that had lots of strong light facing the camera and lots of flash light was taking place.

I always clean the head before the events(sony cleaner tape) and always use the most expensive sony (but not the one with the chip).

Please share any opinions/experiences

Thank you
Anthony

Mike Rehmus · July 7th, 2004, 09:03 PM

These cameras are not too susceptible to strong light issues with regard to recording.

But they are quite sensitive to EMI. Is it possible that you had a photographer fairly near to you and popping strobes? If so, that's probably the problem.

Glen Elliott · July 8th, 2004, 06:30 AM

Mike, could someone turning on the wireless mic system in a hall cause a one frame dropout? In a recent project I got a single frame with mossaic noise right at the instant the subject turned on the mic at the podium. Incidently I had MY wireless system under the podium with the wireless mic taped to the stem of the flexible mic stem on the podium.

I'm just asking because it could be simply coincidence- it was a very VERY hot and humid day...and if I'm not mistaken that can increase the likelyhood of a dropout on tape.

Mike Rehmus · July 8th, 2004, 12:23 PM

I haven't found that wireless receivers cause any problem. I cannot think that a transmitter for wireless microphones could cause enough of an emi pulse to disturb the camera.

I can walk about 20 feet away from a police car and not have any more interference and those are quite powerful transmitters.

I'd guess coincidence.

Anthony Mooney · July 26th, 2004, 02:55 PM

I finnaly found what was the problem for the drop outs. There were created from the camcorder (VX-2100) during playback.
I did another playback and capture on my PC and had no drop outs at all. I am just wandering if the head was so dirty,,, I clean it every time I use the camera. Or the capture software.

Anthony

Mike Rehmus · July 26th, 2004, 03:55 PM

Cleaning the heads every time is way too much. Some of us clean our camera heads once every 2 years or so with no dropout problems. Such frequent cleaning will rapidly wear the heads. You don't want to know how much their replacement will cost you.

Select one brand of tape and stick with it. I've personally recommend using tapes sold by the manufacturer of the camera. While you probably don't have to do so, it is the most conservative approach. Sony tapes can be purchased for under $3.50 in small lots so price shouldn't be a deciding factor.

Anthony Mooney · August 12th, 2004, 10:45 PM

Thank you Mike.

Nick Reed · August 14th, 2004, 01:24 AM

Were you shooting in auto mode? If so, perhaps the flashing light got bright enough to close the iris and things got dark momentarily until it opened up again. In other words, the flashing light was confusing the auto exposure. This is not a drop out of course but it could lead to some dark frames. I don't know, just a guess.

July 7th, 2004, 02:22 PM	#1
Anthony Mooney Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Branch NJ Posts: 69	drop out and flash light? Hi Just a question, Does any body knows if lighting conditions (like flash light or strong light towards the camera) can cause drop outs? I did a few events lately and all came out good as usual exept one that had lots of strong light facing the camera and lots of flash light was taking place. I always clean the head before the events(sony cleaner tape) and always use the most expensive sony (but not the one with the chip). Please share any opinions/experiences Thank you Anthony

July 7th, 2004, 09:03 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	These cameras are not too susceptible to strong light issues with regard to recording. But they are quite sensitive to EMI. Is it possible that you had a photographer fairly near to you and popping strobes? If so, that's probably the problem. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 8th, 2004, 12:23 PM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I haven't found that wireless receivers cause any problem. I cannot think that a transmitter for wireless microphones could cause enough of an emi pulse to disturb the camera. I can walk about 20 feet away from a police car and not have any more interference and those are quite powerful transmitters. I'd guess coincidence. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 26th, 2004, 03:55 PM	#6
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Cleaning the heads every time is way too much. Some of us clean our camera heads once every 2 years or so with no dropout problems. Such frequent cleaning will rapidly wear the heads. You don't want to know how much their replacement will cost you. Select one brand of tape and stick with it. I've personally recommend using tapes sold by the manufacturer of the camera. While you probably don't have to do so, it is the most conservative approach. Sony tapes can be purchased for under $3.50 in small lots so price shouldn't be a deciding factor. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 8th, 2004, 06:30 AM	#3
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	Mike, could someone turning on the wireless mic system in a hall cause a one frame dropout? In a recent project I got a single frame with mossaic noise right at the instant the subject turned on the mic at the podium. Incidently I had MY wireless system under the podium with the wireless mic taped to the stem of the flexible mic stem on the podium. I'm just asking because it could be simply coincidence- it was a very VERY hot and humid day...and if I'm not mistaken that can increase the likelyhood of a dropout on tape.

July 26th, 2004, 02:55 PM	#5
Anthony Mooney Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Branch NJ Posts: 69	I finnaly found what was the problem for the drop outs. There were created from the camcorder (VX-2100) during playback. I did another playback and capture on my PC and had no drop outs at all. I am just wandering if the head was so dirty,,, I clean it every time I use the camera. Or the capture software. Anthony

August 12th, 2004, 10:45 PM	#7
Anthony Mooney Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Branch NJ Posts: 69	Thank you Mike.

August 14th, 2004, 01:24 AM	#8
Nick Reed Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 78	Were you shooting in auto mode? If so, perhaps the flashing light got bright enough to close the iris and things got dark momentarily until it opened up again. In other words, the flashing light was confusing the auto exposure. This is not a drop out of course but it could lead to some dark frames. I don't know, just a guess.