Canon XL2 Mini DV Digital Camcorder - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

This is a known problem. Broken loading gear, Example: canon zr65 replace broken gear Canon XL2 and ZR65 uses same tape drive system.

Just wanted to give you an idea. Canon XL2

XL2s are notorious for issues in interacting with final cut.
Simply put, sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't. But - there's a way around it.
Change the capture settings preset to 'non-controllable device'. Use the shuttle controls on top the handle of the XL2 to play back the footage as you wish. when you want to capture, click 'Capture Now' - It should do the trick.

You may have used the LP record mode??This can cause playback/capture issues.Al

You may download the manual and more from here.

The camcorder is simply informing you that the Custom Preset 2 settings are in effect. Refer to the "Using the Custom Preset" section of the manual (page 68 in my copy). If you need a manual you may download a copy here.

The camcorder is simply informing you that the Custom Preset 2 settings are in effect. Refer to the "Using the Custom Preset" section of the manual (page 68 in my copy). If you need a manual you may download a copy here.

I take it the camera will not power up. Thiis is usually caused by a failed component in the power circuit within the camera and will require disassembly and trouble shooting to narrow down the cause. This can usually be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not really a user serviceable problem and should be done by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com .

This could be a fault in the audio processor board or possibly a defective audio head. Either of these can be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.

This is usually caused by a failed component in the power circuit within the camera and can usually be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com .

Although I have a GL2, which can have a custom preset there are some similarities. I understand the XL-2 has custom presets and are numbered CP1, CP2, CP3, and so fourth. I once set one to a special exposure setting, a specific gain and f-stop, so if I was shooting video of a stage performance and the spotlight suddenly came on, I wouldn't have to fiddle with the aperture control, could simply press the custom preset button.

May not have answered your question, but I hope it was close.

Empirical Technology - emptech

Tjis could be something as simple as a connection that was loosened in the fall and can be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.

Sounds like you need your mechanism repaired. The only thing that you can try yourself is to power the camcorder down, remove all sources of power (battery or a/c adapter), wait 5 minutes and try it again. If you are still having the same problem, you will need to have it repaired by an experienced technician. You can send to Canon directly or find a local camcorder repair shop. Not sure where you are, but I work for a repair shop in Texas.

Hope this helps you.
www.austintelstarservices.com

Hi there,

The most common cause of this is dust, debris or contamination on the heads.

Firstly, it's extremely important that you use only DRY LUBRICANT type DV tapes on the Canon branded camcorders.

Different manufacturers design their heads to be used with either Dry or Wet (coating lubricant type) tapes - NEVER BOTH. Canon is DRY type.

Consumers are led to believe that they should be using well known branded DV tapes, such as Sony. This is fine, if your camcorder is a Sony. However, you should NEVER use Sony tapes in your Canon - Sony tapes are of the WET type.

So, the question is, "Are you currently using Dry or Wet type tapes, or a mixture of both?" If you have used either a WET tape, or a mixture of both in your Canon, then this may have contaminated your heads.

If this is so, then don't panic - simply run a special Head Cleaning cassette (for Dry tapes) in your Canon for no more than 5 secs. Note: your heads are very delicate, so only run the cleaning tapes for a few secs at a time.

Also, try to avoid recording over the cassette too many times, as the quality will sometimes degrade each time.

An example of the Dry tapes are the Panasonic ones (Myself and other Pro Videographers often use Panasonic Prof, Studio or Master Quality tapes, as these are some of the better quality Dry tapes on the market).

As your XL2 is a Pro Camcorder, I recommend you stick with Studio quality (or higher) cassettes.

See this link for Dry DV tapes: http://cgi.ebay.com/Panasonic-mini-DV-digital-video-cassette-AY-DVM63SQ-5pk-/170645949017?pt=US_Camcorder_Tapes_Discs&hash=item27bb4a8a59

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-Panasonic-Master-HDV-HD-video-tape-HC9-Mini-DV-/220519311691?pt=US_Camcorder_Tapes_Discs&hash=item3357f9a94b


See this link for Head Cleaner cassette: http://cgi.ebay.com/MiniDV-mini-DV-Panasonic-Head-Cleaner-Cleaning-Tape-/220683036059?pt=US_Camcorder_Tapes_Discs&hash=item3361bbe59b


If the problem still exists after head cleaning, then suspect either a faulty cassette (most likely) or damaged heads requiring service.

Let me know how you get on...


Scott



"If this has helped you, please be kind enough to leave a testimonial"

It is usually called the "Transport assembly" or "Transport carriage" and is quite often the most expensive portion of the camera (motherboards can be pricey, too). They often cost upwards of USD $200-300.

It is common for the pinch roller to come off its spidle and become loged in the tape mechanism. This usually requires disassembling the camera to retrieve and reinstall the roller and secure it in place wwith a new keeper. This can be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.

This can be caused by several things such as an oxidized video drum, a failed component in the tape detection circuit or a transmission gear not engaging properly. All of which can be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.

Possible main fuse blown.If no other solution available open the unit carefully and check the continuity of the fuses. If bad replace, it's made by littelfuse and is very small but not impossible to replace. It's suggested if you solder a new one on top of the existing blown fuse due to its size. Also ensure all ribbon cables are properly seated or it may result in blowing the main fuse.

The heads may need cleaning/ aligning or possibly need to be demagnetized. try a head cleaner, iff that doesn't work I suggest a certified repair center.

The lens mount will indeed need to be replaced. It not only affects the distance of the lens from the image sensor but also affects the level of the image and some distortion may be noticeable. This can be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.