Tape fallout/blackouts

How often do you guys with miniDV tapes get this problem?

I recorded a 60minute tape the other day, non stop 60minutes, and had about a 25-50 frame drop out area, nonstop.

Is this common? I have had this at one time with the hv30, but not very much. This is the 2nd tape I put through my fx1000, the first one had no issues.

I find I get that while I'm downloading the video to my computer and doing other things while it's downloading.
I think sometimes its the comptuter can't keep up with the data being dumped to it.

Try downloading it again without having any other applications running and see if it has the same dropouts.
That seemed to be my problem.

Jake

From my old DV times... Maybe 20 frames missing in a total of 500 tapes. My daughter encounters this problem much more often, but then she reuses her tapes and uses her mom's low end consumer cam (that half broken piece of crap - her words) - when she's with me she gets to use the big guns. Spoiled her a bit, I guess. ;-)

It is weird because it totally isn't there. I've seen dropouts where it gets grainy or screws up, but this was just a little weird. I am going to just stay away from that tape :-P. It was NOT a crucial part of the video, so I will just let it go.

I use the PRM60 takes from Sony. I haven't had a huge issue yet... I did once have it mess up when I was running with the camera, which would make a little more sense. I guess from 2 tapes and having 1 bad spot I might be a little judgemental, maybe I'll have a better idea in a few months.

Thanks for the input gentlemen.

As its a new cam, the heads should be clean. If its a new tape that also shouldn't be an issue. I think Jake has stated the most likely issue. When I used to load on DV tapes I would just leave the computer alone to work its magic with no background processes at work.

Mark

I have also noticed another issue, WHILE I AM COMPLAINING!,
When I do batch record, or rip, I set up my tape to record every 5 minutes, ie 0-5min 1 part, 5-10 2 part, and so on.

With my FX1000 it rewinds to a preroll of 2 seconds, then stops, then does a 1X speed forward a little, then usually starts. Sometimes it goofs and says that batch convert fails. I didnt know if I need to up the preroll or what? Anyone ever have this?

One every 20-30 tapes I'll have a red colored frame. I also think this is most likely when I have a lot of computer background memory being used and maybe the head needs cleaning. Don't ya just hate it when all you record is 20 seconds and right in the middle it's red.

Yep, that happened to me a couple of times.

Its one thing I'm not missing since going to flash media. There was nothing worse than when you were filming a wedding or other one off event and over a couple of frames you would have those ugly dropout artifacts. Never got it in a real crucial spot and it didn't happen too often but the threat was always there.

Couple of things:
1) As Jake said make sure that your pc mac is fast enough for HDV capture
2) I would pick a tape brand i.e. Sony Premium and stick with it
3) Only use a tape once

Now I know that people may disagree for various reasons on points 2 and 3... but I have never (fingers crossed and touching wood) have ever had a drop out