grainy images

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kathyw
grainy images

i have a brand new panasonic palmcorder the picture is ver grainy like looking through a window screen and it looks like an overcast day in full sun or shade or indoors. iv'e messed with all adjustments and it does not change. i thought maybe it has a sun filter on the lens but can't find anything like that either. any suggestions?

Matt Whitlock (not verified)
Can you provide the model

Can you provide the model number of the camcorder?

Matt Whitlock (not verified)
Unfortunatly, Panasonic does

Unfortunatly, Panasonic does not have a user manual available on their website for reference, so I'll have to take a few guesses as to what's going on.

First, the camcorder you have is a VHS-C camcorder. I wouldn't hold high expectations for image quality for a VHS based product. In fact, it may be possible that the additional noise and "window sreen" effect is being caused by your VCR or TV. Try connecting the camcorder to the television's line-level inputs to get an idea as to where the noise is coming from. Don't forget to try it on a different TV as well. If it remains on both TVs, that's about the best you're going to get with this particular model. After years of use, your camcorder's recording heads may need to be cleaned for optimum picture quality.

The overcast day syndrome is probably being caused by the camcorder's backlight function, which is used when the subject is darker than the surroundings, in a shadowed area, or in front of the light source. Disable the backlight by finding the backlight button (on a newer model, it is the "stop" key), and the problem should go away. The backlight is indicated by a circular icon on the viewfinder display when in recording mode. Press the backlight key until the icon goes away.

Post back here if these suggestions help you. Also, please don't forget to provide to tell how TechLore has helped you, by reading this TechLore Team blog entry.

kathyw
thanks for your reply but the

thanks for your reply but the palmcorder is fairly new. i tried the back light, didn't help,
it shows while you're filming and in playback on the machine or on the tv. it's not vhs (i don't think) because i have to use an adapter to play it in my vcr

Matt Whitlock (not verified)
The backlight should be

The backlight should be disabled for optimum results. Re-record a segment with the backlight disabled.

The camcorder does use VHS-C as its recording medium. VHS-C is a physically compact version of a full size VHS tape, however the tape itself is no different than that of a full size VHS cassette. The adaptor merely allows the tape to fit in a regular VCR. If it wasn't VHS tape, it wouldn't play in your VCR at all.

I would still recommend trying your tape in another VCR to see if the problem remains. If for example, the VCR you're using to play back the tape is dirty, or is connected via an RF cable (you turn your TV to channel 3) that too could introduce additional noise in the picture.

Matt Whitlock (not verified)
Another question: Does the

Another question: Does the image look good when viewed in the camcorder's viewfinder or LCD swivel screen (if it has one)? Or, does it only look bad when viewed through the adaptor in your VCR?

kathyw
it's just as bad on the

it's just as bad on the camcorder viewfinder, while taping and reviewing

Matt Whitlock (not verified)
I know you said the camcorder

I know you said the camcorder is fairly new, but if it is truly that bad, you may need to have it looked at by a shop. Has it ever recorded images better in the past, or has it always been this way?

kathyw
it's a hand-me-down from

it's a hand-me-down from newly weds who both had one and i can't reach them but they told me at the time that it was in perfect condition
thanks for all your effort, if i can't reach them in a few days i'll see about taking it to a shop

Matt Whitlock (not verified)
Post back here after you

Post back here after you speak with them or have it looked at. Your experience could help those who are having similar issues.

Meri
I know with digital still

I know with digital still cameras, if you use the digitial zoom, you get grainy, pixalated images. Are you using a digitial zoom?

kathyw
i'll have to look at it when

i'll have to look at it when i get home but i don't think i ever figured out how to make it zoom
but that is a good description of how it looks

Ron Repking (not verified)
Yes, optical zoom is what

Yes, optical zoom is what works best - avoid digital zoom!

kathyw
thanks for the advice. i'll

thanks for the advice. i'll post my findings tomorrow

kathyw
haven't found anything on the

haven't found anything on the thing about optical or digital zoom....just zoom.. no choice

Ron Repking (not verified)
If it's fairly new, it's

If it's fairly new, it's probably still under warranty. You should check with the person who gave it to you and take it back where they bought it to get looked at.

However, if you have some money and you really care about video quality, you should think about investing in a digital video camera. Your VHS-C recorder won't give you near the quality that a good digital camcorder will. Also, remember that VHS tapes have a limited shelf life and will degrade over time. This is not the case with digital media, so if you want to preserve those moments for generations, digital is the way to go.

 

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