I have a Panasonic PV-GS35 Mini-DV camcorder that is exhibiting some
very strange behavior. I have several tapes with video on them, but
when I go to play them back on the GS35, the video will not play. The
unit will not even recognize that there are time codes on the tapes.
However, if I record a little video anywhere on one of these tapes with
the GS35, then re-enter playback mode, all video on the tape plays back
fine.. If I eject the tape and put it back in, however, the video
again refuses to play until I have recorded at least some video again.
What would cause this behavior, and what can I do to remedy the
situation?

Here is some other information that may be useful in troubleshooting:
* Most of the tapes were recorded with the GS35 before it stopped
working properly.
* All of the tapes (even those recorded with the GS35) play on a PV-GS9
with no problems.
* There are Maxell tapes, Panasonic tapes, and TDK tapes. All have the
same symptoms in the GS35
* The GS35 records fine. It's only the playback that requires the wierd
ritual.
* I have used the camera reset button several times but this did not
fix the problem.
* I have detached the battery overnight but the problem was not fixed.
* The camera has only been used for about 10 hours over an 18 month
period.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Jerry Smith

magicalsavant wrote ...
Your camcorder is broken. Try to find a competent repair shop and
have them fix it.

Richard Crowley wrote:
Thanks for the reply Richard! Is this a common problem?

magicalsavant wrote ...
I've never heard of it before (for whatever that is worth.)
I fear that it is a fundamental problem with the microprocessor
controller and that it would likely be more expensive to fix than
to just replace the camcorder. But as long as it records OK,
maybe you can live with it?

magicalsavant@gmail.com wrote:

I think it's relating to the recording/playback head misalignment. Just
guessing ...

"l e o" wrote ...
Doesn't sound like it to me. The OP says that it plays
back perfectly, but only after running the camcorder
through the "Record" mode first. And that tapes recorded
on the problem machine play back OK on other machines.
Sounds more like a microcontroller (or switch?) problem.

Leo was correct. The problem is with the tape deck assembly alignment.
The left side of the tape deck is not pulling far enough into the
assembly to enable the heads to read the tapes properly. Apparently,
when you engage the record mode, the record head engages and tightens
the whole assembly so that everything lines up properly. When you go
back to play mode, the heads are exactly where they should be.

I don't really know how to fix it permenantly, but each time I put a
tape I, I just push the right side of the deck firmly, engage play, and
tap on the tape deck lightly on the right side until everything plays
correctly.

I'm sure that this will cause undo wear and tear on my tape and heads,
so I'll probably use a dfferent camera for playback. (The recording
quality of the GS35 is great compared to my little GS9!)

Thanks to everyone who tried to help me solve my problem!


Richard Crowley wrote:

magicalsavant wrote ...
That is called a "threading problem" or just generically
a "mechancial problem". If it were really a "head
alignment' issue, you wouldn't be able to play the
tapes on another machine. But congratulations on
your discovery.

Now that you know what is wrong, it should be much
easier to find a shop that can fix it.