A strange thing has been happening with my fairly new DVX100A during recording. It occurs when I intermittently press the record button at the back of the camera to record and pause it. The camera goes back and forth between these modes smoothly at first. Then after recording and pausing a few times the mechanism in the camera that controls the tape begins making noise (similar to the noise it makes when you first put the tape into the camera). At this time, the timecode displays "00:00:00;00" and the red 'no tape' icon flashes. After a few seconds the noise stops, the correct timecode appears, and the camera will record again. Anyone know about this?
Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
- Thread starter LindaL
- Start date
Kirk Gillock
Rebel with a cause
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
The "red button" isn't the power button, it's the record button. Pushing the "little white button" and flipping the switch up and down is "off and on". LindaL is right, the camera should record and pause fine with no problems. Sounds like a problem with the camera. Do you still have a warranty?
The "red button" isn't the power button, it's the record button. Pushing the "little white button" and flipping the switch up and down is "off and on". LindaL is right, the camera should record and pause fine with no problems. Sounds like a problem with the camera. Do you still have a warranty?
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
Wow. I developed the same exact problem with my camera. I had used it for about 20 hours before this happened. Then, suddenly, problems. I spoke with Jan Crittenden at the IFFM in New York and her first question to me was where did I buy the product. I had ordered it online from Abe's of Maine, which apparently is NOT an authorized dealer. I'm just wondering where you may have bought the camera? Abe's gets theirs via Canada and thus offers "discounted" prices. Make sure you in fact have a warranty!
Wow. I developed the same exact problem with my camera. I had used it for about 20 hours before this happened. Then, suddenly, problems. I spoke with Jan Crittenden at the IFFM in New York and her first question to me was where did I buy the product. I had ordered it online from Abe's of Maine, which apparently is NOT an authorized dealer. I'm just wondering where you may have bought the camera? Abe's gets theirs via Canada and thus offers "discounted" prices. Make sure you in fact have a warranty!
DVX100percent
Active member
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
I have the exact same problem. Had it for a while, it seems to be getting worse (meaning occuring more frequently). I had it in the shop for this problem, showed it to them when brought the camera in. Then three weeks later it was returned to me, they said they couldn't replicate the problem. Very furstrating.
I'm beginning to think it has something to do with the tape door, since it doesn't happen nearly as often when the camera is on a tripod. So, it might be a faulty switch that the camera door presses when it is closed. The switch is located in the very bottom left corner, if you are looking at the door, in case anybody wants to experiment some more. Let's get to the bottom of this!
My warranty expires soon, I just can't leave my camera for another three weeks unless I know for sure somebody will actually fix it.
What's is the "official" Panasonic answer to this, Jan? Take it to the same repair center again? Or find another one? Or send it to Panasonic in NJ? I called them, they said they would send the camera to one of the repair centers anyway, so there is no point in bringing camera to them (other then the additional time delay).
I have the exact same problem. Had it for a while, it seems to be getting worse (meaning occuring more frequently). I had it in the shop for this problem, showed it to them when brought the camera in. Then three weeks later it was returned to me, they said they couldn't replicate the problem. Very furstrating.
I'm beginning to think it has something to do with the tape door, since it doesn't happen nearly as often when the camera is on a tripod. So, it might be a faulty switch that the camera door presses when it is closed. The switch is located in the very bottom left corner, if you are looking at the door, in case anybody wants to experiment some more. Let's get to the bottom of this!
My warranty expires soon, I just can't leave my camera for another three weeks unless I know for sure somebody will actually fix it.
What's is the "official" Panasonic answer to this, Jan? Take it to the same repair center again? Or find another one? Or send it to Panasonic in NJ? I called them, they said they would send the camera to one of the repair centers anyway, so there is no point in bringing camera to them (other then the additional time delay).
XCheck
Veteran
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
I had this happen to me a couple of times two weeks ago - but I was shooting in -20 degrees Celsius, so I thought it was because the tape transport had to work harder in the cold weather.
I'd be interested to know what's causing it, though - since other people had the problem under different conditions. Just want to know what to watch for...
I had this happen to me a couple of times two weeks ago - but I was shooting in -20 degrees Celsius, so I thought it was because the tape transport had to work harder in the cold weather.
I'd be interested to know what's causing it, though - since other people had the problem under different conditions. Just want to know what to watch for...
scharky
Veteran
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
Ok, I must have read the post wrong. I though your were using the record button to start and stop the transport over and over again, rapidly, like if you were trying to capture only a few frames. I guess that is what I get for not getting enough sleep. I have heard of this problem before as well, however, I cannot replicate it with my DVX, although I never use the camera hand held, always with a tripod, DVrig, or other device, so I really can't comment. SOrry for the confusion.
Ok, I must have read the post wrong. I though your were using the record button to start and stop the transport over and over again, rapidly, like if you were trying to capture only a few frames. I guess that is what I get for not getting enough sleep. I have heard of this problem before as well, however, I cannot replicate it with my DVX, although I never use the camera hand held, always with a tripod, DVrig, or other device, so I really can't comment. SOrry for the confusion.
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
I just spoke to a technician at the Panasonic offices in Toronto. He said that the problem I am having probably has to do with a dirty tape pack. He advised me to take it into a service centre in my city where they can clean the tape pack by physically taking it out of the camera. I'm going to try this out. I would recommend others having this problem to also speak to a technician at Panasonic (I found the number for Canada online). The one I spoke to also referred me to a service centre, giving me the name of one of the technicians there.
I just spoke to a technician at the Panasonic offices in Toronto. He said that the problem I am having probably has to do with a dirty tape pack. He advised me to take it into a service centre in my city where they can clean the tape pack by physically taking it out of the camera. I'm going to try this out. I would recommend others having this problem to also speak to a technician at Panasonic (I found the number for Canada online). The one I spoke to also referred me to a service centre, giving me the name of one of the technicians there.
DVX100percent
Active member
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
I wonder what a tape pack is? Anybody has any idea? The technician at Panasonic facility in NJ said they are not aware of this issue. Linda, please let us know if whatever they do helps, I'm really interested to pursue this REALLY ANNOYING issue.
Thanks,
I wonder what a tape pack is? Anybody has any idea? The technician at Panasonic facility in NJ said they are not aware of this issue. Linda, please let us know if whatever they do helps, I'm really interested to pursue this REALLY ANNOYING issue.
Thanks,
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
My gut sense is that it does in fact have something to do with the door. I only go handheld and sometimes use rapid wrist motions and found it often happens when I move the camera--but also when I don't. I hear the motors whirring and I agree it sounds like the camera is acting as if the tape had just been inserted--unspooling and respooling the tape and resetting the timecode--all without the tape door ever being opened. I'm out here in Boston and will be bringing it to a service center out near Worcester soon. I'll let people know what I come up with, too.
My gut sense is that it does in fact have something to do with the door. I only go handheld and sometimes use rapid wrist motions and found it often happens when I move the camera--but also when I don't. I hear the motors whirring and I agree it sounds like the camera is acting as if the tape had just been inserted--unspooling and respooling the tape and resetting the timecode--all without the tape door ever being opened. I'm out here in Boston and will be bringing it to a service center out near Worcester soon. I'll let people know what I come up with, too.
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
Well I'm hoping it does have to do with a fault with the camera's mechanics. The warranty does not cover cleanings, unfortunately. It does seem odd to me that I would have to shell out about $100 to get the camera cleaned when I've only had it for 6 months and have only run about 20 Panasonic DVM63 Master mini DVs through it. (As recommended by many AG-DVX100 users, I use these tapes exclusively.)
Well I'm hoping it does have to do with a fault with the camera's mechanics. The warranty does not cover cleanings, unfortunately. It does seem odd to me that I would have to shell out about $100 to get the camera cleaned when I've only had it for 6 months and have only run about 20 Panasonic DVM63 Master mini DVs through it. (As recommended by many AG-DVX100 users, I use these tapes exclusively.)
disjecta
Lucky Duck
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
I had a similar problem with my camera and it was related to how tight the strap was next to the door. I had over-tightened it and it must have caused my hand to exert too much pressure against the tape door fooling the camera into thinking a new tape had been inserted.
When I loosened the strap, the problem went away. This is definitely a design flaw on the camera and there are enough people on this board who have experienced the problem for Panasonic to take it seriously.
I had a similar problem with my camera and it was related to how tight the strap was next to the door. I had over-tightened it and it must have caused my hand to exert too much pressure against the tape door fooling the camera into thinking a new tape had been inserted.
When I loosened the strap, the problem went away. This is definitely a design flaw on the camera and there are enough people on this board who have experienced the problem for Panasonic to take it seriously.
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
are you serious??? that's ridiculous. i say that because i have tended to make the strap supertight and this thought never ocurred to me. now as i look at it, yeah, i can see how that exerts pressure. did you test it against using the camera without your hand strapped in? did it cause problems?
are you serious??? that's ridiculous. i say that because i have tended to make the strap supertight and this thought never ocurred to me. now as i look at it, yeah, i can see how that exerts pressure. did you test it against using the camera without your hand strapped in? did it cause problems?
Re: Record and pause glitch on DVX100A
Thank you sarno and disjecta, I THINK I'VE SOLVED THE MYSTERY! This evening I took the camera out to test out your camera door and strap hypotheses. I tried it on the tripod - no problem. Then I tried it handheld and sure enough the noise started, the red icon flashed and the timecode read '00:00:00'. I tried another round of the experiment just to make sure it wasn't just a fluke. Again, with the camera rested on the table (not hand held) it ran smoothly. However, when I tried it handheld this time, I made the key discovery: when my hand inadvertently pressed against the front corner of the tape door, it triggered the problem! So with the camera in pause mode I pressed that corner again, and again, and again. Each time I did this the problem occurred without fail. I agree that there is a manufacturing flaw here, because the issue with the door probably has to do with all the pulling on the taut strap (which is attached to the tape door - isn't this a bad design choice?). I think the door needs to be screwed on tighter so it can't get pushed in and cause the tape mechanism to react.
Thank you sarno and disjecta, I THINK I'VE SOLVED THE MYSTERY! This evening I took the camera out to test out your camera door and strap hypotheses. I tried it on the tripod - no problem. Then I tried it handheld and sure enough the noise started, the red icon flashed and the timecode read '00:00:00'. I tried another round of the experiment just to make sure it wasn't just a fluke. Again, with the camera rested on the table (not hand held) it ran smoothly. However, when I tried it handheld this time, I made the key discovery: when my hand inadvertently pressed against the front corner of the tape door, it triggered the problem! So with the camera in pause mode I pressed that corner again, and again, and again. Each time I did this the problem occurred without fail. I agree that there is a manufacturing flaw here, because the issue with the door probably has to do with all the pulling on the taut strap (which is attached to the tape door - isn't this a bad design choice?). I think the door needs to be screwed on tighter so it can't get pushed in and cause the tape mechanism to react.