Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

N

NickW

Member
Hey everyone,

I'm hoping this isn't a cause for great concern, but since I can't find anything directly relating to it in the DVX manual, I thought I'd ask here. I've had the camera for about 5 months and up until now it's been working perfectly. It's stored in a safe location, away from any sort of other devices that could cause it harm. However, in the last two days it has begun to exhibit some alarming glitches. All of the footage from the past 2 days plays back EXTREMELY blocky and pixely. I didn't notice this at first while I was recording, but I did notice just now that a small red X appeared in the top left corner of the viewfinder while it was recording. This promted me to stop recording immediatley and check the footage. I also checked footage from about 3 weeks ago, which was the last time the camera was used, but that was totally fine. I haven't changed a single setting except for white balance. Thankfully the last 2 days were just camera tests, so no actual footage was lost. I did try the head cleaner provided with the unit, but that doesn't seem to have any effect, and I don't want to use it again. Has anyone had this red X appear on their camera, and if so, what was the cause? I'd rather not have to take it to a service center and look like a fool if it's easy to solve. :) Any advice? Thanks!
 
Re: Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

is it possible your camera was close to moisture?
 
Re: Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

Hmm... that might be a possibility, although it certainly wasn't directly exposed. We did use it outside for a brief period of time, and it has been fairly cold. Perhaps the air was a bit too damp? Or it was a bit too cold? I've used the unit in damp and cold conditions before, and had no problems at all with that (the camera was properly covered). Would that cause what I was describing? If so, is it a permanent problem that I have to have repaired?
 
Re: Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

The red X indicates blocked tape heads. Search the posts at Creative Cow--this problem seems to be an epidemic. Apparently it's caused from mixing DV tape types, but I think that's absolute B#%#S#. I used every tape on the market with my old VX1000 and never had that problem, nor have I heard about it being an issue among users of the XL1, PD150, etc. But like other things with this camera, we have to hush up because everyone knows, the DVX can do no wrong....
 
Re: Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

The red x will also flash when the humidity sensor goes off..

And, mixing tapes never USED to be much of a problem since most tapes are all made at the same factory, however Panasonic released a Dry lubricant tape that does not mix well with wet lube tapes from most manufactures.
 
Re: Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

Well, I've always stuck with the same brand of tape. It's a Fuji, not the greatest I know, but it's never cause me any problems in the past.

Jarred, if the red X is an indication of too much humidity, will that eventually disipate? I tried it again this morning with the same results?

And Jay, if it is blocked tape heads, what's the solution for that? (I'll go scan creative cow now and see what I can find)

Thanks everyone!
 
Re: Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

did you get a panasonic head cleaning tape with your camera when you bought it? if so, use it - follow the directions on the tape. if you didn't get one - get one and use it. its a dirty head.
 
Re: Help! Red X appears, footage blocky

I did get a cleaning tape witht the camera, and I did use it. It had no effect. Not sure if I should try again, or if it should have worked on the first try. I came across a post on creativecow today saying that the tape should be used in Camera mode and not in VCR mod (which is what I did). Or should that make a difference at all?
 
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