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Thread ID: 66579 2006-02-28 02:04:00 Sony Handycam problem k8smum (6062) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
434387 2006-02-28 02:04:00 We have an old handycam that hasn't been used for a number of years. We want to transfer material from 8mm tape to our DVD hard drive, edit it, then save to DVD. However, we can't get a decent playback from the camera. There is no colour and no audio apart from a scratchy-sounding noise. We have tried running a head-cleaning tape a few times but this made little, if any, difference. Does anyone have any idea what may be wrong with the camera? BTW, it doesn't record stuff clearly either - noisy picture, although not as bad as from the already recorded "old" tapes. Thanks. k8smum (6062)
434388 2006-02-28 02:50:00 Sounds like the head has had it,sorry not very helpfull! Neil McC (178)
434389 2006-02-28 02:55:00 A lot of video cameras die in that way. I'm told that the only fix is just to replace all the surface mounted electrolytic capacitors. This would be expensive if you're paying someone to do it. I have one which plays back, but is useless because of noise on record. I looked at the circuit boards. :( I paid $20 for that one. I've now got a $5 one which works. ;)

I think your best bet would be to borrow a good camera to replay your tapes.
Graham L (2)
434390 2006-02-28 03:33:00 Out of interest, what is your handycam brand and model number? We have a Sony one that also refuses to work and have had to borrow a friend's to transfer our tapes to my hard drive.

As Graham says, a lot of the older handycams now have problems with them as a search on Google will tell you. It really brasses me off since it cost an arm and a leg when purchased and may cost more than it is worth to have it fixed, if indeed it can be fixed. :mad:
FoxyMX (5)
434391 2006-02-28 04:02:00 Right up my Alley

I've got a Sony 8mm DV that'll read old and new tapes and the DVD recorder. Pm me if you want some help with this or would like me to do the transfer for you.

I also have access to a VHS-C camcorder as well so can also convert those.

I had an older Sony video camera, same problem the caps died and no way was it worth the $500 they wanted for a repair. It also had a head failure during the warrenty, interestingly I rang around and asked what to do at the time as it looked like dirty heads at 1st. Sony recommended a wet cleaning tape as opposed to the dry one which they sold! Bought said cleaning tape, ran it thru twice and killed the heads. Sony then said it was my problem. Till I reminded several people of conversations about the problem and being advised to use a cleaning tape.. :groan: They fixed it at no charge. After it died and would no longer record or play back without noise it was sold off as a security camera. :thumbs:
EX-WESTY (221)
434392 2006-02-28 05:17:00 Will a DV camera read Hi8 and "ordinary" 8mm tapes? k8smum will probably have those. Graham L (2)
434393 2006-02-28 05:29:00 Yep
I have a mixture of both, Just make sure I use the digital ones for the new stuff. Although I think it's rather smart and adjusts the tape speed for the amount of data to be recorded.
EX-WESTY (221)
434394 2006-02-28 06:46:00 It sounds like its pretty much a dead duck then. I doubt if any of the tapes have much on them worth paying good money to someone to transfer to DVD on our behalf. I think I'll take up the suggestion of borrowing a camera, if I can find one. The camera in question is a Sony Handycam Video8 CCD-F38OE. k8smum (6062)
434395 2006-02-28 07:08:00 k8smum: Your camera is a very close cousin to ours, which is a Sony Handycam Video8 CCD-F150E. Whilst trying to find out what was wrong with ours I discovered heaps of others with the same "dead ducks". :(


EX-WESTY: Not sure whether your kind offer included myself or not but if it did then thank you very much but as I said previously, I have been fortunate enough to be able to borrow a friend's to do the job. :)
FoxyMX (5)
434396 2006-02-28 07:17:00 I had the exact same model K8smum
Would you like to start a class action suit with me against Sony? :p
EX-WESTY (221)
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