Faulty Sony Handicam

26 Oct 2006 9:09 PM

Winny

Hi,

I have a DCR- HC18E PAL Sony Handicam which has given good service for
around 2.5 years. It now has a few faults, but before I resort to
buying a new model I thought I'd just check if anyone knows any easy
fixes...

Problem 1 - it has problems charging. The Camera light flashes about
once every 5 secs. I don't think it's a dirty heads problem as I've
used the appropriate cleaning tape several times.

Problem 2 - it has stopped being able to record. It still plays ok but
on Camera mode I get a blank LCD screen and viewfinder.

Problem 3. The Firewire socket doesn't seem to work any more...

Hmm, perhaps I should just bin it and go shopping tomorrow!

Thanks for any advice.

--Winny

26 Oct 2006 9:24 PM

PTravel

Show quote Hide quote

"Winny" <andreww***@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1161896951.228553.75880@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a DCR- HC18E PAL Sony Handicam which has given good service for
> around 2.5 years. It now has a few faults, but before I resort to
> buying a new model I thought I'd just check if anyone knows any easy
> fixes...
>
> Problem 1 - it has problems charging. The Camera light flashes about
> once every 5 secs. I don't think it's a dirty heads problem as I've
> used the appropriate cleaning tape several times.
>
> Problem 2 - it has stopped being able to record. It still plays ok but
> on Camera mode I get a blank LCD screen and viewfinder.
>
> Problem 3. The Firewire socket doesn't seem to work any more...
>
> Hmm, perhaps I should just bin it and go shopping tomorrow!
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
> --Winny

At least here in the States, Sony will repair out-of-warranty camcorders for
a fixed rate which is, generally, below the cost of a new comparable camera.
You might want to give them a call.

Show quoteHide quote

>

27 Oct 2006 4:12 PM

sgordon

Winny <andreww***@hotmail.com> wrote:

: Problem 1 - it has problems charging. The Camera light flashes about
: once every 5 secs. I don't think it's a dirty heads problem as I've
: used the appropriate cleaning tape several times.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this paragraph. What
could dirty playback heads possibly have to do with charging?

30 Oct 2006 1:38 PM

Winny

sgor***@changethisparttohardbat.com wrote:

> Winny <andreww***@hotmail.com> wrote:
> : Problem 1 - it has problems charging. The Camera light flashes about
> : once every 5 secs. I don't think it's a dirty heads problem as I've
> : used the appropriate cleaning tape several times.
>
> I'm still trying to wrap my head around this paragraph. What
> could dirty playback heads possibly have to do with charging?

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

I thought that the charging light doubled as an indicator that the
heads needed cleaning, but perhaps I'm mistaken?

--Winny

30 Oct 2006 8:35 PM

sgordon

Winny <andreww***@hotmail.com> wrote:

: I thought that the charging light doubled as an indicator that the
: heads needed cleaning, but perhaps I'm mistaken?

Ah, ok. You said that it had "problems charging", which I took to mean
that it actually was not charging fully.

31 Oct 2006 10:48 AM

Winny

sgor***@changethisparttohardbat.com wrote:

> Winny <andreww***@hotmail.com> wrote:
> : I thought that the charging light doubled as an indicator that the
> : heads needed cleaning, but perhaps I'm mistaken?
>
> Ah, ok. You said that it had "problems charging", which I took to mean
> that it actually was not charging fully.

The camera not charging is indeed the problem!

Don't you just love the clarity of these discussions sometimes! :-)

I'm just posting during a free minute or 2 at work so apologies if I'm
being confusing... not much time for perfect prose.

--Winny