Any ideas?

5 replies [Last post]
BrendanK
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Joined: Sep 1 2003

client borrows a domestic camcorder to record training sessions
returns tapes, run out to dvd recorder, he reuses the tapes - 2 in camera bag, 2 being transferred to dvd. Tapes used/reused maybe six times then ditched...

This weeks tape seems to be 'interlacing' previous recording.

We are seeing a venetian blind effect ( about six slats of week one pic and six of week 2 picture, audio als jumpingaround...)

Used my deck and camera for replay - no good - am awaiting the return of the original camcorder in the hope that it might somehow playback ok.

any thoughts?

DAVE M
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Joined: May 17 1999

clogged head?

Alan Roberts
Alan Roberts's picture
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Joined: May 3 1999

Yep, clogged head does that.

Get my test cards document, and cards for 625, 525, 720 and 1080. Thanks to Gavin Gration for hosting them.
Camera settings documents are held by Daniel Browning and at the EBU
My book, 'Circles of Confusion' is available here.
Also EBU Tech.3335 tells how to test cameras, and R.118 tells how to use the results.

BrendanK
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Joined: Sep 1 2003

AAAArgh - so damage done is undoable for this job, I guess...

dvnam
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Joined: Oct 16 2006

All may not be lost although it does look bleak.

Try fast forwarding the tape and rewinding it a couple of times after running a head cleaner through the device, re-use the head cleaner and then play the tape without shuttling forward or back, leaving it to play through uninterrupted.

The first couple of minutes (and the last) can be the likeliest to suffer damage, which is why it's recommended to record a few minutes of 'nothing' prior to what you want to shoot.

MiniDV tape is fragile and shouldn't be 'picture-searched' to minimize any possible damage - similarly, if the project is important, make a copy and don't use previously used tapes. (I know tapes can be re-used and it's entirely possible no problems will be encountered - I'm just advising the best course of action to minimize the risk.)

doolahroak
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Joined: Apr 2 2005

Go with dvnam on this one.

Had the same thing about 3 years ago at a wedding shoot. Noticed the little 'red x' appear in my viewfinder and paniced. Looked back at the tape (this is about 10 mins before the ceremony) and it had the venetian blind effect going on.

Kept the cam in VCR mode and the tape playing then scrubbed backwards and forwards. The effect slowly vanished.