Pixelated Picture -- but on camera too

[welchb]

Hi All,

This is not a VS question per sey... but hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can point in the right direction.

I've recently started to caputre and edit a holiday video and the caputre was really pixelated -- especially on panning....

I originally thought it was a caputre problem.... but.....

I played the tape back just in the viewing screen on the Camcorder (it's a JVC -- recording to mini- DV tape) and the problem is actually on the original copy.... so in that respect the capture looks to be the same as what was shot.

I know on this occassion I took a new DV tape straight out of the wrapped and recorded onto it, whereas where possible I normally record a 'blank tape 1st' (with lens cap on) before using the tapes for filming.

Would this explain all the pixelation on the tape or does it suggest something more serious with the camera ?

The video was all shot outside in bright sun-light so perhaps this could cause a problem ?

I know this is not a VS problem but if someone did have any suggestions I'd appreciate this. I've used the camera many times before and none of the settings have changed.

Thanks & Regards,

Brian

[Ken Berry]

No problem with the sunny conditions -- most people shoot video in such conditions all the time. And I doubt that it has anything to do with using a new tape straight from the box -- probably 95% of users do this all the time, and again with no problems.

You say you have used the camera lots of times -- but have you cleaned the heads at all? You can buy head cleaning kits at your photo store...

When I first bought my Canon digital vidcam, after a couple of months, I too started getting huge blocky pixels across my video. I thought I would clean the heads, but that didn't work. I ended up taking it back to Canon, who said that the carrier mechanism for the cassette was not functioning properly, and this caused the tape to drag a little, thus causing the pixelation. Luckily, the camera was well within the warranty period and it was repaired free of charge -- albeit taking 3 weeks to do so!

[welchb]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the answer. I guess I'll start by cleaning the heads and see if that improves things.

The camera was purchased in 2002 -- so it's well outside it's warrently but I'd rather not have to upgrade unless I have too.

Cheers,

Brian

[Ken Berry]

Certainly, if you haven't cleaned the heads since then, I would definitely be trying that first too!!

I also bought my first digital video camera early in 2002, and though I got a great discount at the time, still paid a (relative) fortune for it. Prices here have now fallen to the extent that I can buy an equivalent camera for a third the price I paid in 2002, and a much better camera for half the price! This is intended to offer some comfort just in case you have to replace the camera -- since repairs are likely these days to come close to the price of a new camera!

[skier-hughes]

I'd say 99.99% it's just dirty heads, particualrly on a cam bought in 2002 and used well.

Use a cleaning tape, but follow the instrcutions carefully, they are abrasive and overuse will do more harm than good.

Something for when it's clean and working.....

Don't mix tape brands, buy one make adn stick to it. Some leave an oily deposit, others a dry deposit and mixing the two leads to inivetible problems.

Is the tape is pixelated in the same spot eah time you play it? If yes, it will be the way it was recorded and it will never get better. If the pixelation is in different places, then you may be lucky in that it recorded properly and it's just the playback which is causing the problem and after cleaning you may get a perfect capture.

[welchb]

Thanks Guys,

Appreciate your help/comments --- at least I think with this one. I'm pleased to say it's not down to VS.

All the best,

Brian