Question for Jan

D

DVX100percent

Active member
Dear Jan,

I have a problem with my camera that I have described more then once in this forum. It seems that a few other people are having it as well. It's the one when the camera intermittently reloads the tape while in standby. It can happen as often as every 15-30 seconds and then it might not happen for a few minutes. Occasionaly (very occasionaly) there is a tape which works perfectly without reloading. It usualy starts a few minutes into the tape (never when you just put a new tape in), and gets worse towards the end of the tape. The whole reloading cycle takes about the same time as when you first turn the camera on (about 30 seconds) and sounds about the same. Needless to say it is very annoying and I lost a few shots because of that problem.

Camera was in the shop for three weeks for this, and all they said is they couldn't replicate the problem, even though I showed it to them when I brought it in.

Where do I go from here? I want it fixed but can't afford to lose it for another three weeks just to be returned to me again with the same problem. They did clean the heads though, but it didn't fix the problem. I only use panasonic tapes, by the way (just thought I would clear this out of the way before you ask).

Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Question for Jan

I just timed my 100(not A) three times from power off to ready to shoot (paused) after the final mechanical sound of loading. In each case it took no more than 7 seconds. It indicates paused close to 2 seconds before the last 'noise'.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Well, the cycle I'm describing does last somewhere in the vicinity of 30 seconds, so I guess it might be longer then the power-up time.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Shot in the dark, since I know zilch about timecodes...

Could it be hunting for the last time-tick so it will know where to start the next?

Dan
 
Re: Question for Jan

It could be, but since it inconsistent, annoying and is not a common issue to this cameras, I'm hoping (still) go get it fixed.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Hey, if it's any consolation, I have the same problem occasionally. Fortunately it hasn't happened when I needed to shoot.

It seems to be related to when I am handholding the camera. Because the strap is on the same side as the tape door, a certain amount of pressure from your hand supporting the camera pushes in on the door and it must trigger a mechanism to make the camera think it has to reload the tape. The problem has not happened to me when the camera is on a tripod.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Hi,

Have never heard of the problem. What are your time code settings as it sounds like it is searching for a time code, maybe. Can't say for sure.

When does this happen, hand held? tripod?

The only thing I suspect is that occasionaly the camera might refresh where it is parked, but that should only take a second or two.

Are you in the StandBy mode where you lose the video altogether or do you have the camera set for allowing the camera to always be on?

So give us more of your actual settings to work with and perhaps we can be of better assistance. Esp. the time code settings.

Best,

Jan
 
Re: Question for Jan

Timecode settings are of no importance, as I have tried it with both preset and regenerate, as well as free run vs. record run.

Right now I have them on preset free run, and it still does it.

The thought about a tripod is valuable, however. I don't think it ever happend to me while the camera is on a tripod, but most of my work I do handheld, so, I can't say for sure whether it is in fact true. Worth looking into though.

I have the camera in the "never power off" setting.

Hope this helps, let me know if there is anything else I can give you.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Interesting...since posting last, the problem came up again last night when shooting handheld. The camera tried to reset the tape at least 10-15 times over the period of an hour. It's definitely related to holding the camera and I must be putting pressure somewhere the camera doesn't like it. This problem definitely does not occur when the camera is not being held.

This is a very annoying problem and I'm not sure why it's happening and if it's getting worse or not. I don't do a lot of handheld shooting in general.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Didn't this subject come up once before... long ago... and I thought, didn't the poster trace it to squeezing the tape transport door too tightly or something? Seems familiar...
 
Re: Question for Jan

Don't know but I am holding the camera quite gently when it happens. I did tighten the strap a while ago, maybe that's part of the problem.
 
Re: Question for Jan

70 % of my shots are handheld. But luckily I did not experience this problem a single time, so far.

I will follow this thread to see what are the conclusions.
 
Re: Question for Jan

I loosened the strap (which was tightened significantly from the way it is from the factory) and didn't encounter the problem. Looks like I was putting too much pressure on the tape door.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Wow, thanks for all your replies guys, seems like I would have to do some more testing. It would be nice to get to the bottom of this.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Is this a widespread problem? Is it something that would be covered under the warranty? I want a camera I can shoot and hold in my hands. This would be a reason not to buy the DVX.
 
Re: Question for Jan

I believe my problem was due to the fact that I had the strap waaay tight...hasn't been an issue since so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Agreed. I've shot handheld for hours and hours with the DVX and haven't encountered the issue. I think I've only heard of a few people having the problem. And I loosened the hand strap early on, so that may be part of it.
 
Re: Question for Jan

the doors on camcorders are easy to break if you try to force them to open or close. I guess a something like a strap pulling on it could screw it up too. Maybe they should move the strap handle away from the tape door.
 
Re: Question for Jan

The FX1 moved the tape door onto the left side of the camera (as viewed from the back), opposite of the hand strap. They could do that because the LCD panel is on top, not on the side. Seems like a good idea.
 
Re: Question for Jan

Are the people posting this problem have a DVX100 or a DVX100a?
 
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