Canon ZR problems

[uaaerospace]

Hi all, I have a Canon ZR series miniDV camcorder. I have used it for about the past year mostly as a webcam. About a week ago, I used it to film a 5 minute tape. It worked flawlessly. Now, when I play any tape back, the picture is distorted (has squares on the image that seem to stick). I thought maybe the head was dirty, so I bought a miniDV head cleaner tape. I've had no success in correcting the problem though.

I have not used the camera very much about all (maybe 15 hours of recording to/reading from tape).

Have any of you ever experienced anything like this and if so, how did you resolve the problem? Thanks!

 

[Texas04]

how did you go about using ur head cleaner?

 

[-DH]

>> It worked flawlessly<<

Doesn't sound like it did. Try playing the tape in another DV device - if it is a playback only problem, you can sometimes get lucky that way. But if it was recorded to tape like that, you're out of luck ... time for a reshoot.

-DH

 

[uaaerospace]

>> It worked flawlessly<<

Doesn't sound like it did.

Perhaps I was confusing.....There is nothing wrong with the tape. I was able to transfer the footage to the computer (with the camera) before the camera messed up. I also tried to playback several old previously recorded tapes that I know are good. They also played back with the distortion.

I'm not worried about what's on the tape. I'm more worried about getting the camera fixed. You could be right though...it could be limited to the playback. As soon as I am near another miniDV device, I'll try a tape that has been recorded since the camcorder started acting up. That'll tell me if it is at least recording proberly.

how did you go about using ur head cleaner?

The cleaner I got is a dry tape. I followed the directions and let the cleaner tape playback for 4 15-second intervals. As far as I can tell, it didn't help it at all.

Thanks for the input thus far.

 

[-DH]

>>it could be limited to the playback<<

I can't speak for your particular model, but most camcorders DO have one set of heads for recording and another set for playback.

-DH