Dropout problems

[martns]

I'm the owner of HV20. A week ago I started making a film which I'm supposed to finish in a month. Since then, I've had many problems with my camcorder including terrible dropouts which keep getting worse and worse. At first I blamed my tapes which are quite old by now. I bought a new one (Panasonic HDVM63AMQ which was supposed to be very good). It didn't help at all. Dropouts became even more frequent and more irritating. I'm trying to find out what is the core of this problem. Perhaps it has something to do with a small accident in which my camcorder lost a piece of plastic that supported the battery (I solved the problem with some tape and plastic, MacGyver style). Also, I have a problem with the display. It turns off spontaneously from time to time.

I'll probably have it repaired soon but can you tell me if there is a temporary solution for this?

[Bif]

Try a cleaning tape, there is some chance it can "clear out" contamination in the tape path.

All tape mechanisms become problematic with time. It's in the nature of anything with complex moving part design and the need for precision operation and alignment. The HV20's now have enough age on them where I would not consider investing in repairs (which should be done by a Canon service center). You can send it off with a note instructing "repair without estimate not to exceed __________" (here state money amount you are willing to invest without question). "If repairs will exceed this amount, please furnish estimate".

My judgement on the matter is you would be best off replacing the HV20 with one of the HF M series camcorders if your computer has enough "horsepower" to handle AVCHD compression (quad core processor with minimum clock speed of 2.66Ghz. A machine with 2nd generation Core i7 2600 or faster would be better. 2nd gen Core i7 also includes six core processors, and 3rd generation is out on the market.

The newer HF M series gets you away from tape and the kind of problem you are experiencing now.

Bruce Foreman

[HueyNRolf]

Try a cleaning tape, there is some chance it can "clear out" contamination in the tape path.

That's your first course of action. Also use only new tapes and pack them (forward and rewind) this is supposed to shake out loose particles. If you're still having problems, then as Bruce says. . .

[Krane]

I'm the owner of HV20. A week ago I started making a film which I'm supposed to finish in a month. Since then, I've had many problems with my camcorder including terrible dropouts which keep getting worse and worse. At first I blamed my tapes which are quite old by now. I bought a new one (Panasonic HDVM63AMQ which was supposed to be very good). It didn't help at all. Dropouts became even more frequent and more irritating. I'm trying to find out what is the core of this problem.

The core of the problem is likely user error. Did you run a cleaning tape through the mechanism first? It sounds like you put a new tape into a dirty camera?

Perhaps it has something to do with a small accident in which my camcorder lost a piece of plastic that supported the battery (I solved the problem with some tape and plastic, MacGyver style).

Nope, that doesn't sound like there's any connection.

Also, I have a problem with the display. It turns off spontaneously from time to time.

You need to explain that better. Under what conditions and/or during what tasks? Does it turn off during operation? You know there is an on timer

I'll probably have it repaired soon but can you tell me if there is a temporary solution for this?

As above--clean the mechanism.

My judgement on the matter is you would be best off replacing the HV20 with one of the HF M series camcorders

Or better yet bypassing the tape mechanism altogether (though you'll still have to invest in some kind of recorder--which can be quite expensive but have additional uses). If the camera still works, you may still have a lot of use you can get out of it.

[cgbier]

Canon's standard price is around 250 bucks for consumer cam repair. I'm not sure if it's worth it for you.

I'd heed Bruce's advice to think about getting a new cam somewhen. Run a cleaning tape through your HV and keep it as a capture deck for your tapes.

The dropouts can come from your old tapes, as they, more or the less, disintegrate after a while. It happens oftentimes to me that I have to edit something from up to 10 year old tapes. I have to clean the deck afterwards (and sometimes in between).