HELP!!! HVX200 Dropped Frames

T

Timothy O'Brien

Member
Hello everyone,

I searched the old posts and found some related posts, but no solution...

My HVX200 has been dropping frames since I got it, I didn't notice at first, but now that I look back at footage I shot a day or two after we got the camera I see that it has the same problem.

Oh, and it isn't anything to do with capture. This is a problem that is happening in-camera, and is readily apparent when using the BT-LH80w (not as easy to see on EVF or LCD).

It seems to drop a frame or two every 3-5 frames or so. But it is not 100% predictable, though it does happen consistently (never goes away).

This happens in every frame rate and when shooting to tape, P2 and Firestore FS-100... It makes the footage look jerky whenever there is movement in the shot...

I have a very important shoot tomorrow and need to know if there is a chance I can fix this by resetting the microcomputer on the camera. I have read which button to press in the manual, but it doesn't say if the camera should be on or off, or any other specific instructions.

Thanks so much for any help anyone can offer.

Tim
 
I would suggest trying to get someone from Panasonic on the phone, though its unlikely that you'll be able to (they usually have someone call you back).

Do you have any clips you could post that show the problem clearly?
 
Hi Luis,

I can post a short clip with a pull that makes it obvious. I already have a static shot of a darkroom timer (jerks in smooth movement of second hand) to show the Panny engineer my sales rep is talking to about this what is going on. The pull is much easier to see it in though.

I'll get back to you once I have the footage ready.

Thanks,

Tim
 
I'm curious to see the problem, but I seriously doubt I'll be any help in a solution.

If the problem is as pervasive as it sounds from your description, I would seriously consider lining up a rental for tomorrow,
if you can't cancel/move this shoot that is.
 
Hi Luis,

I have posted a link in the footage section, but here is the link anyway, I think I'll take down the one in the footage section since it only pertains to this post:

http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/...tefn=RootSite.xml&aff=consumer&cty=US&lang=en

I am still uploading the pull clip, and it should be done by about 3 p.m. eastern time.

I have a DVX to borrow for tomorrow's shoot, but I wanted to shoot in HD for our archive (we are no longer adding SD material to the archive).

Thanks,

Tim
 
How long have you had your HVX? If you just bought it, you might be able to get it exchanged from the dealer you bought it from. If some time has passed, you will likely have to go through your warranty coverage and get it sent in for repair.

I would check with spec-comm and see if they can do it under warranty for you (any repairs that may be necessary), as you can expect a quicker response from them than you can from Panny themselves.

Sounds like a problem with the cam, and not human error or anything like that.

Later,
Jason
 
The reset button is to pushed while the camera is on. Don't have it in record mode or anything. Just turn it on and push the reset button and see if your problem is still there.

Also check your firmware. If it's any older than 4.06 you should have it updated. It may or may not do anything but it's always good to know that its done when we're troubleshooting.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
Hey Luis,

While we are waiting for the footage to upload, could you tell me if you know anything about doing the system reset of the microcomputer on the HVX? For instance, should the camera be on or off?

Thanks,

Tim
 
Thanks for the replies and instructions on the reset folks.

1. Yes, the camera is pretty new (a month and an half) but the footage shows the problem from right when we got it. So I have proof it was defective out of the box (if it is a defect and not just a microcomputer problem that a reset will solve).

2. Definitely a camera problem, does it whether locked down and static or doing a pan, tilt and zoom at the same time.

3. Firmware is up-to-date. That was the first thing I did when I got the camera.

It seems likely that it is a computer problem to me, but that is just intution...

I'll let everyone know when it is safe to download the file with the pull (still uploading)

But you can feel free to download the file with the darkroom timer now. This is a subtle thing to notice in this footage, but it is there...

Thanks so much,

Tim
 
If you noticed it from the beginning, you should have contacted the company you bought it from immediately and seen about exchanging it.

But, it's probably too late for that now. If it is a camera issue, it would be a warranty repair by now, probably. Again, I would recommend spec-comm, once you have weeded out any other possibilities.

Later,
Jason
 
Hi Jason,

I didn't notice it in the beginning, well, at least I didn't realize it was the camera. Because the place I noticed it was doing a pull when zoomed all the way out, and I figured I had just had too much coffee that day. And I did let my sales rep know as soon as I realized it was a camera problem, which was weeks ago.

Thanks,

Tim
 
Hi Andrew,

No dice... It almost seems worse... Did you take a look at the footage I uploaded? It is pretty easy to see the problem on horizontal or vertical lines in the shots, the edges of windows for instance. It is a lot harder to see on the darkroom timer footage, but it is there.

Thanks,

Tim
 
Are you on a mac? I could be extremely wrong here but isn't there a problem with dropped frames when cards aren't write protected and captured to OS X??

Again, I kind of think I might be mixed up on this one.
 
What version of Raylight are you using?

Is this footage shot with any variable frame rate?

Can you post your exact Recording Setup and Scene File settings having to do with frame rate and recording format?
 
Well I downloaded the first clip (the darkroom timer) and I have to say I'm not seeing much there... it looks like it might have some 'jerky' motion to it (but then again I'm looking for it and could be imagining things) - when I go frame by frame on it, it seems like each frame is moving forward smoothly, covering the same amount of distance on the second hand.

I'm downloading your second clip now. It's going to take a while.

EDITED TO ADD:
is it done uploading?
For some reason I can't download it.
 
OK, it finally downloaded completely and I got more than a few frames to look at . . .

Again, what was the frame rate? Was it 24pA, by chance? That looked a lot like what a too-quick zoom would look like in 24p, when the footage is viewed in a 24pA stream.
 
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