I've not only tried cleaning the camera with a cleaning tape (carefully), I've tested other cameras as well, with the same result: little blocks in occasional frames. The blocks aren't pixels, either. They're bigger. I'm not dropping any frames, though.

The blocks aren't pixels, either. They're bigger.

Yes, that's typical of what digital dropouts look like. Do you see the dropouts on the LCD screen of your camcorder when you play back, or only on the captured video?

What kind of video tape are you using?

I'd put my money on Sony tapes that he is using.

Why? I've been using Sony tapes for over 5 years and never had a second's problem.

I do not see the blocky things on the LCD screen of the camcorder. They only appear after capturing to my hard drive. I've been using a variety of tapes (Maxell, Panasonic, Fujifilm) and all result in the same blocky things on the captured footage. Even tapes I used to be able to capture cleanly now have these blocks if I try to capture from them again. Maybe my motherboard is starting to go? It's the only other thing I can think of.

When you say "even tapes I used to be able to capture cleanly now have these blocks" I presume you're capturing with the same camera. This would reinforce the suggestion that your camera has a head problem. Borrow another camera (or hire one). I'd be surprised that your motherboard is at fault. But if changing the camera doesn't fix the problem then try a different computer.

edit: Incidentally, many people prefer to use only one brand of tape because it has been observed that the different composition of lubricants can interact to clog the heads. I don't know if that has been proved.

I've had exactly the problem you describe on a hired DV camera, but mostly it recorded OK (fortunately, because it was my niece's wedding).

I had a similar problem earlier this year and after experimenting with multiple fixes, including use of head-cleaning tape, I took the camera (PD 170) to Sony for an in-depth cleaning and have had no more problem since.

It can't be proven, but in my mind, I still think the problem started after I'd been using the camera outdoors in extremely hot and humid weather, or in frigid AC'd rooms and then back outdoors into the heat.

It can't be proven, but in my mind, I still think the problem started after I'd been using the camera outdoors in extremely hot and humid weather, or in frigid AC'd rooms and then back outdoors into the heat.

Yup, that could do it ...

I have tried another camera (a Panasonic) and the same blocky things appeared. It's possible that both cameras need cleaning, but I doubt it. I will try another computer, though. Thanks.

Your response isn't quite clear on whether you checked only your recent tapes. Dirty heads will give recording problems as well as playback. Errors in the recording stay fixed in place, whereas playback problems usually vary in time with each playback. I would expect any processor/graphics card problems to be varying in time. If the different camera also gave you 'blocky-things' on your previously OK tapes, then maybe you don't have a camera problem.

A new development. I just rendered a trailer from a vegas project using the NTSC DV 24p 2-3 pulldown template and I get the same blocky things. I no longer believe it is my camera or tapes causing the dropouts. I'm thinking it may be a codec problem. Or my motherboard. Or a software conflict. Or maybe my processor is simply not up to it (an Athlon 1400). Who knows? It makes me want to toss the whole computer out a window and buy a new system. Anyone have any ideas on how to proceed?

NTSC DV 24p 2-3 pulldown template

Why are using this template? You said you were capturing from a DCR-HC20 MiniDV. Rendering using this template doesn't seem like the correct thing to do.

How are you capturing? Are you using USB or Firewire?

I'm capturing using Firewire. I was using the 24p template to test a film look technique.

I've had similar problems with my HC40 (and now thinking about it, they did start after I used it in a hot & humid environment).

I have found that when the 1394 DV capture returned nothing but large blocks of unusable footage while it plays OK in the camera LCD, if I capture from USB using Roxio's Easy Media Creator capture, I get usable footage (although sometimes a bit jumpy).