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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
GL1's tape door won't close

bensyverson
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Dec 13, 2004, 11:48 PM

Post #1 of 4 (1673 views)
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GL1's tape door won't close	Can't Post

I had this problem last year, and it cost over $500 to repair. Now it's happening again.

I recently ejected a tape, and the mechanism made a slightly louder sound than usual. Now when I attempt to push the tape carrier to close it, so it can slide down, it doesn't "catch." Normally you push the tape carrier gently, it catches on something to stay closed, and it slowly motors itself down inside the GL1. Instead, it never catches, and the power light starts flashing. When I push the eject button, it flashes "EJECT" in red (instead of steady green) on the LCD.

Last time, the repairman said the power board had to be replaced, and charged $500 for the whole procedure. If this is going to happen every year, I'll just bite the bullet and get a new camera. Has this happened to anyone else?

- ben

Bob Hudson
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Dec 14, 2004, 12:05 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1667 views)
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Re: [bensyverson] GL1's tape door won't close [In reply to]	Can't Post

I did a search of the web and actually found tape door problems reported on the Sony VX2000 and PD150 and on a smaller Canon DV camcorder, but nothing on the GL1. I would say this is not a widespread problem, but if they did replace the board it seems odd the other one would fail too.

I've got to say that everytime I push that door closed I think about how fragile it seems and the strap always seems in the way when it opens.

For $500 you sure can't get anything to replace the GL1: with its excellent image stabliizer, excellent (and very long) lens, great in-camera 16:9 mode, wonderful frame mode, rich colors, etc. I would need a Panasonic DVX100A to surpass it. The GL2 does seem to have some true bugs that affect a lot of people, but even without those problems, it's a lot more than $500 :)

I think we are going to see a new revolution in camcorders in the next two years. I am especially anxious to who releases the first good 24P HDV camcorder (JVC released a lousy one). If you can stretch the GL1 for another year or two I think it will be worth in terms of what your money will get you a little bit down the road.

bensyverson
New User

Dec 14, 2004, 1:00 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1662 views)
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Re: [Bob Hudson] GL1's tape door won't close [In reply to]	Can't Post

Bob,

Yeah, I found reports of people having trouble with other camcorders, but the GL1 is usually pretty solidly built. Maybe I'll call Canon and have a little chat -- maybe they know what's going on. The mechanism does seem needlessly fragile...

I would never replace the GL1 with a $500 camcorder -- the issue is whether or not I want to shell out $500 for the priveledge of using a five year old camera, versus spending about $1500, and getting a new camera.

Thanks for the help!

- ben

Bob Hudson
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Dec 14, 2004, 11:29 AM

Post #4 of 4 (1655 views)
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Re: [bensyverson] GL1's tape door won't close [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

the issue is whether or not I want to shell out $500 for the priveledge of using a five year old camera, versus spending about $1500, and getting a new camera.

Again, I think we're on the verge of a major change in camcorders: in another year or so you may be able to get HDV for $1,500.