Canon xl1 I tried to use my Canon XL-1 today and it woould not recordor play back a tape the "no tape" icon is flashing. It won't let me watch pre-recorded tapes or record on a blank tape. Any suggestions>?

You can mount the MA 200 shoulder pad to the XL1 and plug the RCA connector and the mini plug into the port located on the back of camcorder, first open the door. Next, on the side panel where the audio controls are select AUDIO 1. Now assemble a mic using an XLR Cable. Then plug it into the AUDIO 1 port located on the MA 200 Shoulder pad and conduct test. if your using just one mic test the right side, take notice of the gauges located under the handle. the levels should be jumping like crazy. Now remove the XLR cable from the right side and test the left side making your desired audio levels. Now that should work with out question. If not just email me and ill refer you to the YOUTUBE VIDEO. Email me at: [email protected] Peace, Enjoy your video sound.

Olympus did not make adapter for OM lenses to be used on Canon XL1 but, if you are looking for the lens adapter, Novoflex XL-OM Lens Mount Adapter Olympus Lens to Canon XL-1, is the lens adapter that suppose to work.
B & H has this adapter for sale.

How did you clean it? With a cleaning tape or how? If so, it's not good, it should be professionally cleaned. If you tried that then maybe the head has to be changed. If so, you will have to contact Canon and see how much they ask for head replacement and adjustment.

Hope this helps!

Tom

Trained technician can clean the video heads individually and manually but I do not recomend it for general public. Best you can do is to purchase a good head cleaning tape. First, dust off the tape loading area with can air, then run the head cleaning tape for 10 seconds (our general recomendation is 5 seconds) but NO MORE. hope this works. -James. For further assistance by email, go to www.camerarepairjapan.com

I have the solution that the canon expert forgot to mention. And this solved my exact problem too. I put in the tape and then shut the white door over top. This doesn't engage the tape. Problem solved. Human error, The fix cost nothing.

Just fixed this problem. It is one of the three main fuses that have blown out. This is not supposed to be consumer accessible or fixable, but I did it.
Open up the camera case using the 5 allen head screws disconnect the top ribbon cable going to the playback buttons on the handle. on the main board (behind the tape deck) are 3 tiny square black fuses The top fuse FU3201 is the VTR The middle fuse FU3200 is the Motor The bottom fuse FU3202 is the Camera/Lense
The bottom fuse was my culprit. I found a tiny piece of copper and bent it into a U shape and slipped it over the fuse so that it touched the metal terminals on both sides and bypassed the fuse. This fixed the problem.
Haven't used the camera extensively since, but shoot about 10 hrs a week with 2 xl1's and will post if anything happens.
Here is a diagram from the Canon XL1 Service Manual: http://www.coycypert.net/files/xl1.png
Here is the service manual download link: http://www.coycypert.net/files/CANON%20DM-XL1.pdf

I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM EXCEPT TRYING TO USE A GENERIC TAPE TO RECORD IN HD AND THEN EXPECTING IT TO PLAYBACK IN HD. IT WASN'T MADE FOR THAT AND WON'T WORK FOR HD. IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE A HD CAMERA, YOU NEED TO USE THE CORRECT HD TAPES TO EXPECT THEM TO WORK AND PLAYBACK CORRECTLY. WHY WOULD YOU BUY ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CAMERAS ON THE MARKET AND THEN USE A $2.00 TAPE AND TRY TO PLAY IT ON A $2000.00 CAMERA AND WONDER WHY IT DOESN'T WORK? BUY GOOD QUALITY TAPES.

I paid the premium service but your tech knew less about the camera than I did. He didn't know the Canon XL1 at all. His directions indicated he had no idea how the camera worked.

I just fixed mine accidentally... Try this: with Camera on open tape deck, then manually press in the tape cartrige till it clicks in and you hear the tape gears turning then close the tape door last. email me if it works for any of you. [email protected]

Alot of times dirty tape heads can cause this issue. Try loading a Digital Head Cleaning Cassette into the unit, and let it clean the heads. Many times this will solve the problem. Also, make sure it's not the 'wet-type' cleaners, as this will cause damage.

For the record issue, make sure the tapes do not have the prevent erasure tabs set - this is on the bottom of the tape, and is looks like a tab that says ERASE OFF or SAVE.

Not much else that can cause this issue. Never force the tape into the unit, and never hit the unit to get it to work. If nothing works, then I would suggest taking into a service center for diagnosis.

Hope this helps some.

TWEAK A/V LAB