Sony TR101 camcorder loads tape but won't record

J

jeff scott

Guest
In a nutshell: tapes load properly and can be played but in
CAMERA mode, the "no-tape" icon always appears and the
unit won't record.

Tapes go through the normal load process when they are inserted.
All description below assumes the start/stop switch is in STANDBY
mode, not LOCK, so the camera is functional and ready to go.
There is a switch on top of the unit that sets VTR mode for
playing tapes or CAMERA mode for recording. The camera has no
other problems that I know of.

In VTR mode: When no tape is loaded the "no-tape" icon shows
and the unit won't play. When a tape is loaded, the "no-tape"
icon is NOT displayed and the tape plays just fine.

In CAMERA mode: When no tape is loaded and when switched to CAMERA
mode the unit makes a single click noise, the viewfinder flashes
but stays unlit and after a second or two, the no-tape icon appears
and all control and indicators work fine except that the viewfinder
is off and the record button doesn't do anything.
When a tape IS loaded and when switched to CAMERA mode, everything
described above also happens.

So in CAMERA mode, whether or not a tape is loaded, the unit seems
to think that there is no tape.

Any thoughts on (a) what's wrong, (b) can a reasonably skilled
electrical engineer fix it, (c) if a shop fixed this how much
do you think it will cost.

thanks
.... jeff
 
Have you checked to see in which position the erase prevention tabs are set
on the tapes that you are using ?


"jeff scott" <jscott99DELETETHIS@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:GyFeb.5297125$mA4.752280@news.easynews.com...
In a nutshell: tapes load properly and can be played but in
CAMERA mode, the "no-tape" icon always appears and the
unit won't record.

Tapes go through the normal load process when they are inserted.
All description below assumes the start/stop switch is in STANDBY
mode, not LOCK, so the camera is functional and ready to go.
There is a switch on top of the unit that sets VTR mode for
playing tapes or CAMERA mode for recording. The camera has no
other problems that I know of.

In VTR mode: When no tape is loaded the "no-tape" icon shows
and the unit won't play. When a tape is loaded, the "no-tape"
icon is NOT displayed and the tape plays just fine.

In CAMERA mode: When no tape is loaded and when switched to CAMERA
mode the unit makes a single click noise, the viewfinder flashes
but stays unlit and after a second or two, the no-tape icon appears
and all control and indicators work fine except that the viewfinder
is off and the record button doesn't do anything.
When a tape IS loaded and when switched to CAMERA mode, everything
described above also happens.

So in CAMERA mode, whether or not a tape is loaded, the unit seems
to think that there is no tape.

Any thoughts on (a) what's wrong, (b) can a reasonably skilled
electrical engineer fix it, (c) if a shop fixed this how much
do you think it will cost.

thanks
... jeff
Click to expand...
 
The same thing happens no matter which way the erase tab is set.

Nigel wrote:
Have you checked to see in which position the erase prevention tabs are set
on the tapes that you are using ?


"jeff scott" <jscott99DELETETHIS@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:GyFeb.5297125$mA4.752280@news.easynews.com...

In a nutshell: tapes load properly and can be played but in
CAMERA mode, the "no-tape" icon always appears and the
unit won't record.

Tapes go through the normal load process when they are inserted.
All description below assumes the start/stop switch is in STANDBY
mode, not LOCK, so the camera is functional and ready to go.
There is a switch on top of the unit that sets VTR mode for
playing tapes or CAMERA mode for recording. The camera has no
other problems that I know of.

In VTR mode: When no tape is loaded the "no-tape" icon shows
and the unit won't play. When a tape is loaded, the "no-tape"
icon is NOT displayed and the tape plays just fine.

In CAMERA mode: When no tape is loaded and when switched to CAMERA
mode the unit makes a single click noise, the viewfinder flashes
but stays unlit and after a second or two, the no-tape icon appears
and all control and indicators work fine except that the viewfinder
is off and the record button doesn't do anything.
When a tape IS loaded and when switched to CAMERA mode, everything
described above also happens.

So in CAMERA mode, whether or not a tape is loaded, the unit seems
to think that there is no tape.

Any thoughts on (a) what's wrong, (b) can a reasonably skilled
electrical engineer fix it, (c) if a shop fixed this how much
do you think it will cost.

thanks
... jeff
Click to expand...
 
"jeff scott" <jscott99DELETETHIS@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:W2Cfb.602954$Ji7.6511933@news.easynews.com...
The same thing happens no matter which way the erase tab is set.
Click to expand...
In that case, it could be something as simple as the detector switch or
sensor that's used for the tabs. On the other hand, it could be a more
complex problem and only a qualified technician will be able to tell you
that.

Check with your local authorised service centres for quote prices. Unless
you have the training, experience and test equipment necessary to do the
repair, then I would advise against opening your camcorder - it's easy to do
more harm than good, thus adding to the cost of repair and running the risk
of writing the unit off completely.

I certainly wouldn't attempt to repair my own camcorder at home, despite
having repaired them in a properly equipped workshop - where they can still
be difficult.
 
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