Panasonic PV-GS400 Noise Issue (Tape Transport)

[Gromit137]

After much research, it seems this is the 'one' to get (in it's class at least). That tape transport noise so many people have encountered has worried me though.
It seems Panasonic has fixed it on it's 'newly' manufactured camcorders.
Problem: How am I assured I'm getting a new one. Anyone know of a dealer with 'fresh' inventory.

Also, I'm not as concerned with price as with warranty and return policy.
Is the 'Mack' service contract ok? Or the RepairTech? Any advice on this camcorder and the best way to buy would be appreciated.

(Thanks to all of you who helped with my question regarding 'hot' microphone boot.)

[lenti_75]

that is a real problem for panasonic,
bought 2 gs150 last year, one of them had that purrrring noise....went back and never got another one. the other one was for a friend....so far is ok.

you can't know if you get e REAL new one, even if the label says nov 2005, since that can easily be changed.

i would buy from a local store, or a respactable online one, in case you have to return it not to be a problem.

you can fix that noise by pressing the lid, you don't have to pay to have it fixed, if it appears when the warranty is gone.

[dipstick]

It's not a problem with all Panasonics. My 2-year old pv dv 953 never had any problems with tape noise.

I don't know why camcorders don't start using flash media instead of tapes. It would eliminate many problems including tape motor noise. Flash cards are growing in capacity and shrinking in price. A 14 GIG card would hold about an hour of DV footage and would be much faster to transfer that file to PC.

[pijetro]

If it's from a big store like BandH Photo, i'm pretty sure you'll get a good one..
I was also worried, but had no problems luckily...
Panasonic stated that it was a minute batch of bad ones, that they instantly replaced..I'm not a gambling man, but i'd bet that the tape transport issues have been cleared out of the system...

Maybe you'll have better luck at this site...Give 'em a try...

[ribac]

"Noise" was problem with Panasonic cameras made last year.
What I know those cameras made already this year doesn't have that problem anymore.When you buy it just make sure you check serial number- seconf number from the left.It's something like G5xxxx (5 means made in 2005) or N4xx(made in 2004 ).
I bought GS400 this year without a problem.

[edDV]

It's not a problem with all Panasonics. My 2-year old pv dv 953 never had any problems with tape noise.

I don't know why camcorders don't start using flash media instead of tapes. It would eliminate many problems including tape motor noise. Flash cards are growing in capacity and shrinking in price. A 14 GIG card would hold about an hour of DV footage and would be much faster to transfer that file to PC.

You don't know why? try $1700 for 40min DV P2 cards.
These cards parallel SD flash technology to get throughput but the cost is out of sight.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonics-P2-Format-Explained.htm
http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/P2/
https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/sales_o/p2/p2card/index.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=PAAJP2C008HG&is=REG&Q=&O=...ist&sku=394491

[dipstick]

$1700 for 40 mins............Ouch! I guess we're not there yet. It's cheaper to capture directly to external HDD via laptop. That's what I've been playing with lately, but too much equipment to lug around.

Like everything else in technology, it will get much cheaper down the road.