Camera problems... tape playback skips frames

[Carylin]

Now, camera won't playback at all. Can't import either.

I've been doin' fine with HVX200 since i got it in Aug. shooting 720p 30fps 1394 both .Been using MiniDv tape importing to FCP on my Mac G5.(Could not afford P2 cards yet)
Playback started jumping frames a couple weeks ago- I would playback again and sometimes it would work fine and sometimes not. Frames were all ok after import just skipping & dropping in camera. Something mechanically wrong with tape drive maybe?

Last week i purchased a CitiDISK which arrived right before I had 2 projects to shoot during the holidays but camera would not recognize it. So I shot with tape as before. Now it will not playback or IMPORT either- Help! Tried every setting I could, read manual over xx and searched for answers, carefully cleaned heads, have tried 3 FIREWIRE cables ... Camera will not recognize anything. Can't do firmware update as it will not recognize SD memory card.
Whaaa! I don't want this to be broken. Anyone have suggestions? Support is not available til after holidays and projects are pressing, Nearest Panasonic service center means shipping to Minnesota- I will cry if I have to send this $$$$ away!

-carylin

[THoff]

Can you read the tapes in another camera? Any MiniDV camcorder should do.

Regarding the SD card, is it a SD card or a SDHC card? The latter is not supported. If it is a SD card, you should be able to format it in the camera, and then access it using a media card reader on a computer, drop the firmware files on it, and be on your way.

[Carylin]

Yes, I can use a mini DV cam to run tapes to FCP for editing my projects. But what about my camera? Did I mess something up with the settings?
Yes, it's a regular SD card. It goes in slot ok but I can't format it -the camera will not recognize it. I have the firmware files from the p2 support page ready and waiting. Can't seem to get anything to work. (battery ok lights flash thumbnail read out--but no capture or import)

[THoff]

If the tapes can be read in another camera, then there would be something wrong with the HVX. My first guess would be clogged heads, but you've already tried cleaning them, so that's really not that likely. I would also try a tape previously (like a month ago) recorded in the HVX and see if that plays.

There are no settings that I know of that can screw up the functioning of the tape transport, and I'd be surprised if the firmware update would fix it.

Are you expecting the SD card to show up in MCR mode where you see P2 clips? Do you get an error message when you try to format the card (MENU -> CARD FUNCTIONS -> SD CARD FORMAT -> YES)?

[Carylin]

SD card formats fine . My computer does not recognize SD card after formatting. I have also tried the new Citidisk drive and the camera does not recognize it through firewire cable(s) I'm pretty sure something is wrong with the HVX and I will have to use warranty. Any experience with this?

[THoff]

Are you using a multimedia card reader to try to read the SD card on your computer? If so, does it even see the card or let you format it? It sounds to me like your camera is fine (at least as far as the SD card is concerned).

The camera doesn't have to recognize the Citidisk, it's the other way around -- the Citidisk has to recognize the camera. The camera must also not be in a native (PN) recording mode, or there is no data going out the DV port.

[Carylin]

Apparently, HVX200 camera is broken. Reached Panasonic and they confirmed that 1 out of approximately every 3300 units have a problem with the tape drive playback. Someone at the Panny HQ's was having the same problem- so we will take it in for repairs.
THoff- Thanks for your help. CitiDisk is now working along with other issues I mentioned. Solution was in the 5th firewire cable I tried. Gotta be more careful .