I believe 1/2 second is the worst case scenario if your I-frame got hit bad enough that nothing could be reconstructed from it. Individual B or P frames could get clobbered where you wouldn't lose everything possibly. Just a guess though.

--Scott

They look a lot like a DV head clog, I've not seen anything like that on HDV, very strange.
I'd try giving the heads a quick clean and recapturing.
Bob.

Which tape are you using? Are the drop-outs repeatable (ie are actually on the tape? I did have similar occassional frames (near start of clips) when I was first using Cineform HD Connect v1.5 at max quality and converting and clipping simultaneously. This seemed to be a computer through-put problem because it hasn't occurred again since I reduced the real-time processing load during capture. The drop-outs weren't on the tape.

Haven't had that yet with my FX1. Definitely follow the previous advice, easiest would be clean the head and see if it continues.

At this stage we don't know whether it is a camera problem. Nor do we know how frequently it's occuring. Recapturing a "faulty" clip is not difficult and a lot quicker than examining a whole lot of new footage for an infrequent (I presume) problem.

Update: I recaptured the problem section and the problem disappeared! I still don't know the source of the problem, I suspect the tape and/or head but don't know. I am using brand new Panasonic AY-DVM63MQ "Master" MiniDV which is more expensive than consumer grade, but still half the price of Sony HDV tape.

This was a two-hour dance performance and I've seen only the 12-frame section of blocky-pixel problems (so far- have only quickly scanned through and might have missed something). Of course I'd prefer not to scrutinize every frame for problems or spend the time to recapture but in this case, that did solve the problem.

Rather than manually scanning, I would assume there is some automatic method of detecting such problems- for example Scenalyzer Live flags error frames during capture MiniDV. I'm hoping it will support HDV capture soon.

I have captured 2 projects from my Z1 (hdv) and have not had that problem. I did have to capture one particular section twice to get the video right. (Sony tape).

JJK

This is not necessarily a camera issue.
How did you capture ? I've had similar problems when using the HD Link software. Capturing with Capdvhs (freeware - do a google search) was fine for me.

I use the standalone Cineform Connect HD to capture.

JJK

Yes, the problem appears to be where I suggested -- in the capture processes. Clearly it isn't a fault in the recording and isn't a "head problem". A small change in the workflow is suggested: capture the m2t and then do the conversion to Cineform intermediate.