Audio dropouts, printing to DV tape

Chienworks wrote on 6/6/2002, 10:52 AM
I've seen this topic mentioned quite often recently and i've even experienced it myself a few times. I decided to try some experiments.

1 - render to AVI, DV NTSC template
2 - connect computer's firewire port to DV camcorder
3 - connect camcorder's analog out to VHS VCR input
4 - connect VCR's output to television for monitoring
5 - blank tapes in both camcorder and VCR
6 - print to tape, enable DV device control, and also have VCR recording at the same time

Sometimes i would experience a few short (approximately .3 to 1.5 second) dropouts on the DV tape. These usually wouldn't start until after 30 minutes or so, and they would occur in different places each time. However, sometimes the tape would print perfectly, and the VHS copy NEVER had dropouts. I also never noticed the dropouts on the television during the printing process.

After printing 4 different projects (each in the 40 to 70 minute range) 4 times each, i came to the conclusion that it was neither Vegas (or VideoFactory for that matter) nor my computer that was causing the problems. It appears to be the camera itself that is causing the dropouts. I've noticed similar dropouts once in a while on original tapes recorded in the camcorder too. The next test will be recording large amounts of live footage with the camera and passing the analog out to the VHS VCR. If i get dropouts on the DV tape and not on VHS, that should confirm that it's a problem with the camcorder's writing to tape.

Comments

deef wrote on 6/8/2002, 11:30 PM
yes, please let us know how it goes. We appreciate the testing.
Chienworks wrote on 6/8/2002, 11:56 PM
It was pointed out in the VideoFactory forum that i neglected to list my camcorder. It's a Panasonic PV-DV900. It's a simple low-end model, but mostly serviceable.
seeker wrote on 6/9/2002, 4:40 AM
Kelly,

> I came to the conclusion that it was neither Vegas (or VideoFactory for that matter) nor my computer that was causing the problems. It appears to be the camera itself that is causing the dropouts. I've noticed similar dropouts once in a while on original tapes recorded in the camcorder too. The next test will be recording large amounts of live footage with the camera and passing the analog out to the VHS VCR. If I get dropouts on the DV tape and not on VHS, that should confirm that it's a problem with the camcorder's writing to tape. <

It might not be a defect in the camcorder. It could be bad spots on the tape. What brand and grade of DV tape are you using?

Also, how long has it been since you ran your head cleaning tape in your camcorder? Did it come with a head cleaning cassette? What does your manual say about head cleaning?

-- Burton --
Chienworks wrote on 6/9/2002, 10:31 AM
Seeker, good point! Thanks. I'll look into that. Unfortunately my camcorder does not include a cleaning cartridge. But, a good manual cleaning is better for the heads than using a cartridge anyway. I'll check that out and let you know if it makes any difference.

I've been using standard consumer grade Sony & Fuji tapes. I don't think it's the tape itself though, as a subsequent printing attempts may work without dropouts.
BD wrote on 6/9/2002, 10:53 AM
Chienworks,
I had a similar problem with my TRV900 camcorder, which was fixed by a thorough professional cleaning/adjustment of the tape heads and tape path.

In my case, running a cleaning tape wasn't enough. I had run more than 60 DV tapes through that cam. The audio dropouts started after using a different brand of tape, with a different type of lubricant, which I'll never do again!
seeker wrote on 6/9/2002, 3:51 PM
Kelly,

> I don't think it's the tape itself though, as a subsequent printing attempt may work without dropouts. <

Good point. If you re-recorded on the same tape successfully that would tend to indicate that it wasn't a physically bad spot on the tape.

> But, a good manual cleaning is better for the heads than using a cartridge anyway. <

Umm. That sounds tricky. There is nothing in my Sony DCR-TRV510 manual about how to manually clean the heads. Is there some website that has that kind of information?

-- Burton --
Chienworks wrote on 6/9/2002, 5:20 PM
It's probably not something the manufacturers are going to help consumers to do. I've spent the last 30 years or so maintaining my own equipment, so it's not a big deal for me. Mostly it's important to know what not to touch and what not to tug on ;)

Probably any good electronics store in your area will be able to do it for you for a pretty reasonable fee. Of course, the manufacturer would rather have you send it back to their authorized repair centers so they can charge you for it.