A capture sync problem ?

wufred wrote on 7/14/2007, 12:59 PM
I am using a DCR-HC85 (NTSC) and trying to capture a tape that was shot on a different (PAL) camera, don't know the model. I tried many times with different settings on the capture preference. Every time, only the beginning of the first clip screws up for about 10 to 20 seconds. The problem then goes away. The rest of the clip and subsequent clips are good.
The scene looks fine on my camera monitor, but in the preview window (with audio off already) the scenes are showing up in horizontal strips. 12 strips in all The odd number ones are moving while the even number ones are picked from a fixed scene and don't move with time. The same shows up in my captured clip. The effect is like looking through a window with Venetian blinds.
The tape was shot in PAL and I am using a NTSC camcorder to play it for capture. I think I have set all the appropriate settings to PAL, in both the capture preferences and in V6 project settings. I don't think it has to do with the system change because I remember I had the same problem with another NTSC tape shot by another NTSC camera.
I am not familiar with time sync and such and have been going through this forum but could not find postings other than dealing with audio sync. Do I have a problem with my camera, or is it in the settings?
Thanks, Fred

Comments

farss wrote on 7/14/2007, 2:59 PM
Sounds to me like a head clog in the camera.
I've seen exactly this problem and that's what caused it.
When one head clogs no video from that head gets written to the tape, if there was anything recorded on the tape it stays there, hence on playback you get alterntaing bars of the first recording and the second recording.
However in the case of the tapes that I've seen it was quite obvious in the video out from the deck.

Bob.
wufred wrote on 7/14/2007, 3:49 PM
Thank you, should I go get a head cleaner or something like that or do I need to take it to a shop for repairs ?
R/Fred
farss wrote on 7/14/2007, 4:26 PM
You can try a head cleaner, however when we had this happen the camera need pro attention.
The quickest way I've seen to cause these problems is condensation inside the camera.