What's the problem with this video camera?

December 10, 2008 7:02 AM

One of our DV camcorders has started giving strange output. This is direct to disk recording, so it's not a dodgy tape. The output is pixellated and highly coloured (blue/green) as in this screenshot... Any ideas what the problem might be? Has anyone seen this behaviour before?
posted by handee to grab bag (7 comments total)

What kind of camcorder is it? (Brand/model)
posted by nitsuj at 7:11 AM on December 10, 2008

When you say output you mean output on the computer. This screenshot looks like the computer's video and / or memory. Try a different computer. Try totally different hardware. Can you toggle video output settings? How does it look on the camera's display? Don't hesitate calling the manufacturer or if you purchased from a speciality shop (like B&H in NYC) call them too.
posted by ezekieldas at 7:56 AM on December 10, 2008

The camera is a Canon XM2, about 6 years old (so way out of warranty). The image is identical on the camera's display. I have tried (I think) all of the camera settings to no joy.
posted by handee at 9:35 AM on December 10, 2008

The horizontal streaking makes me think it's a sensor readout error, which would be a pretty major repair - they'd likely have to replace the sensor and image processor.
posted by echo target at 9:49 AM on December 10, 2008

This is unfortunate and may be costly --get several estimates. This often comes down to just replacing a board or chip. Try too shooting just white, try shooting black figure white background, try chromakey green. Have these examples ready for a shop. Good luck.
posted by ezekieldas at 10:14 AM on December 10, 2008

[If you find any aesthetically–intriguing output, consider adding it to the Flickr Glitch Art group pool. ]
posted by bonobo at 12:16 PM on December 10, 2008

Yeah, that looks like sensor readout problems on the camera. Prepare for repair.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:03 PM on December 10, 2008