Audio Problems

[super spy y]

I shoot on a DVX 100b, but have weird audio sounds (static/dropouts) when I try to playback on a TV or import into FCP 4.5 using my cheaper Panasonic DV camera. The audio is fine when I play the tape on my DVX, but of course I don't want to use the DVX tapeheads for importing hours and hours of footage.

It happens on most tapes, but not every one. I thought maybe it was in the settings of the DVX, but maybe not. For instance, I shot a live show where I had to change tapes halfway through and did not change the DVX settings between tape changes. One tape has the audio problems playing on my other DV camera while the other tape plays with no problems.

Sometimes the same audio issues occur when I do a PRINT TO TAPE. I record from FCP to my DVX, then playback on my other DV cam. Sometimes everything is fine, sometimes not.

Any ideas? Thanks.

[johnnyha]

I'd guess the heads might be messed up on your cheaper cam, maybe running a head cleaner tape for 5 seconds will help. Try a different camera if you can...

[super spy y]

I've tried the head cleaner with no luck. Do you think it could be anything in the DVX settings? I can't figure out why one tape will always play fine while the other will never play good. Maybe the tapes?

[joelaready]

Are you shooting and capturing from new tapes, or are you reusing the same tapes over and over again?

[super spy y]

Of course I never record over anything I have previously shot, but sometimes I have to turn off the camera to conserve battery then turn it back on with the same tape still in. That is rare. The problem occurs even when I record straight through the tape with never turning the camera off.
I'm thinking my 2nd DV camera heads are screwed, but hoping it may be something simpler for money reasons.