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OT: MiniDV tape Looses the time code.
Hi
Has anyone ever had problems with MiniDV tapes in their camera that when shooting, the tape jumps and looses the time code and it starts all over again from 00:00 from somewhere in the middle of the tape?
We just got back from a shoot in Europe and 2 of the 4 tapes experienced that problem. First time I caught it and changed tapes, but I didn’t see the others until I got back home.
I started to experience this starting some time ago. I thought maybe my camera needed cleaning. This is using the Panasonic AY-DVM83MQ and 63MQ tapes. My stock here is from 1 year to 3 years old but has been stored upright in a relatively constant temperature and humidity in their original boxes.
Using my Sony VX2000 with these tapes, and I’ve been using them exclusively ever since 2002. But lately I see a jump in the tape (on the lcd screen) then I notice the time code went back to 00.
When I bought my new Sony DSR250 I had a shoot that did’t require full size DVCAM tapes so I used these Panny tapes. Out of 3 tapes, 2 did the same thing in my new DSR250. Also my VX2000 was recently re-built on the inside due to a Sony recall so everything is new. This is wierd having the same tape problem on 2 different cameras!
When capturing the tape, the only way around the problem is to find that glitch spot and treat the tape as another new tape. But once or twice the video overlapped and I couldn’t save the shot. That was the wierdest thing. A repair shop even saw that tape and could’t explain it. Horizontal bars accross the tape and every other bar had 2 different video. And these tapes are used only 1 time.
Talking to a tape dealer yesterday, I was told that Panasonic discontinued these tape almost a year ago. Thye dealer also said I could have a bad batch of tapes, which I believe is the case.
Sorry I don’t know where else to post this and I know we have a lot of videographers here as well as editors. So I’m wondering if anyone else has ever had this problem. I don’t even know how to contact Panasonic about this either, If anyone knows.
Thanks
AllenASX Media Group, Inc.
https://www.asxvideo.com -
6 Replies
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I think by having having the same problem in two different cameras that you have eliminated the cams as the source of the problem. That only leaves the tape stock or the operator:>). If the operator and operating technique can be ruled out (which I think it can) then that only leaves the tape stock. I think your supposition of getting some bad tapes holds water. Have never had this problem. But don’t use Pana tapes – use solely Sony tapes which I have never had a problem with (fingers crossed).
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Allen, I agree with you and Terry that a bad tape batch is the most likely cause.
I’ve been using those same tapes (63 min. only though) for a number of years and haven’t had any problems with them.
Just lucky I guess as I have had bad batches of tapes in the various formats I’ve worked with over the years.I’m disappointed to hear that they’ve been discontinued though as I did like them.
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Since I had problems with Panasonic tapes, I only use Sony. I’m curious about the Sony VX2000 recall you mentioned. I have two of them, can you tell me more about the recall?
Charlie
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Hi Charles
I just did some research on that recall. I first heard about it over at Camcorderinfo.com at the Sony forum. That was a year ago and there’s nothing about it on Sony’s site anymore. Something about a class action suit about the Sony VX2000/2100’s and something to do with the lcd screen going blank or showing wierd lines. My VX2000 was Starting to produce flickering in the video as if there was a lot of viabration and no stabilizer.It was a big thing and I had called Sony and discussed my problem even though my exact problem did’t match the photos on the ligatition page. But the support fellow said I qualified for the recall. They sent me a shipping label and told me to send the camera in.
Got it back in 2 weeks all re-built. Can’t really tell you any more except I probably wouldn’t have heard of the recall had it not been for that forum. I was just in the right place at the right time.
From what I kow a few others I know also missed out on it. That’s sony’s fault because I was registered as an owner of that camera and I would have thought they would have notified me as well as anyone else who had bought the 2000 or 2100. Maybe it was one of those things that if you reported the problem, they’d fix it but if you didn’t, HA! They weren’t about to offer it to anyone.
Imean I got everythig replaced. CCD’s Heads and drum an transport. Like a new camera inside. At least there’s no more flickering 😉
Sorry I can’t be anymore help.
Meanwhile I just bought 5 boxes of the new Sony HDM63VG tapes. A few of my friends said they never use the 83 minute tapes, too thin. So a little head cleaning then it’s Sony from now on. I got a shoot coming up where I’ll be using most of those tapes in April so I’ll know if I get any problems or not.
Allen
ASX Media Group, Inc.
https://www.asxvideo.com -
Any idea if the PD150 was included in that recall thingy?
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