Sony handycam DCR-HC42E Mini DV- Blank LCD?

The sony output is verygood. but this type of problems happening on all the models. I am the prey on the second time. i wont buy this any more. i had a cam corder dcrhc42e. Same problem.

J.Mathew
September 2012

Thanks Airshod.
I had already lost hope of finding a tutorial for replacing the flat cable.
Excellent tutorial.

Thanks for your tutorial :-))

AJTav
May 2011

many thanks Airshod !
I did it yesterday evening, and it took me about 20 minutes.
Requires precision handwork, but clearly achievable.
Tip: do not forget tweezers for tiny screws.

Thanks for your tutorial :-))
Greg;

Greg
January 2011

Thank you, at last I've found help for future repairs to my Sony DCR-HC42E blank screen problems.
This camera was replaced by Sony within the guarantee period with approximately 25 hours recording and downloading before the LCD screen went blank.
The second camera lasted approximately 10 hours, before the screen went blank.
I e-mailed Sony (Europe) and they have not even bothered to reply.
The last repair cost £30 to replace the flexi-ribbon and the same again for Parcel Force postage.
I was advised against sending it to Sony as their charges are rediculously high.
I have been a loyal SONY supporter but I can honestly say that I will never ever buy another SONY product. You expect top line quality & back-up but what you end up getting is rubbish.

John Bone
February 2010

Does anyone know the part number of the flat flex-cable inside the DCR-HC1000E and the most easy way to order it?
Thanks

Excit
August 2009

HI can u plz give me the link to order FP-185 FLEXIBLE BOARD..
tnx in advance...

Saleem.A
August 2009

dirty head run head cleaning tape

jaspal
July 2009

Airshod,
Thanks for the great write-up.

The screen on my DCR-HC21 also went blank two weeks after the warrantee period expired. One of the two bands on the infamous flexboard had split right in the middle.
After reading your write-up I got the courage and ordered the flexboard through Sony online. I managed to replace it in about 2 to 3 hrs. Keeping track of the parts and screws during disassembly paid off during the re-assembly.
The whole process was pretty straightforward, but certainly not for everyone.

Traz USA

Traz
June 2009

I have updated my notes slightly. Go here for the latest version:

http://www.rubbishworld.com/repair_DCRHC_complete.pdf

(cheers to those thanking me for it. Got to spread the love!!)

Airshod.
March 2009

hi
i got the same problam with my cam, but i am trying to fix it as i known it from you peolpe.thanks for your help.hop the i be able to use my cam soom.

jamil ahmed
February 2009

I have the same problem. Sony wanted £50 up front to look at it which I paid and they then said they wanted another £150 to repair it. What a rip off. I am looking for another camcorder (Not Sony)

Colin.Beckett@yahoo .com
February 2009

airshod, just wanted to say thanks for the advice / write-up.

James UK
December 2008

Thanks again Airshod. I bought the replacement flexible cable and successfully repaired my camcorder. It's clear that this problem isn't a "misuse" problem. It is clearly a design flaw and I'm extremely disappointed in SONY for not standing by their product. I have been a loyal SONY supporter but I can honestly say that I will never buy another SONY product again. You expect top line quality but what you end up getting is rubbish. Lots of other companies stand by their products and fix them at no charge if there is an inherent design flaw (Apple and Microsoft are 2 companies that I've had great experiences with).

Leafboy
October 2008

Hi Bashir.

Sony must have authorized service centres in the UK. Simply find one and order the part. I just called my local authorized sony service centre and ordered one of the parts for myself. I should get it sometime next week. The cost was ~$35CDN.
Good luck.

BTW, awesome post airshod!!

Leafboy
October 2008

Hi There
Thanks for the information, you are a lot better than Sony who is looking just how to make money. This is the last camera from Sony.

Guys, any advise where to get this FP 185?
I am based in the UK, Cambridge. We do not have anything like it arround Europe.
Thanks for all your support.
Rgrds
Bashir

bashir
October 2008

Hello, I do not know English and this is a translation with google.
I have had the same problem with LCD, the problem began when a color LCD failed, a few uses the screen stopped working.
From the first moment I thought that the fault was on the board flexible linking the camera and LCD. I myself disassemble the camera and I was able to confirm this.
I tried watching this forum that this was a typical breakdown and encouraged me to buy the junta flexible. VT-185. The price of the FP-185 in sony was 27 €.
It took me 3 hours to mount the camera. It is quite difficult. Must have a lot of dexterity in their hands, since everything is very small, but finally the camera works perfectly.

José I. Moreno
September 2008

I have opened my camera and found that the flexible circuit/ribbon cable that connects the LCD to the inside of the camera is broken. This is due to poor design, in which the flexible circuit cannot withstand the constant movement of the LCD.
I have managed to buy a new cable from a Sony repair dealer, and will attempt to fit it later on this week.

The part number for the new flexible cable is:
Ref no. 171
1-864-761-11
FP-185 FLEXIBLE BOARD
cost is about 35 dollars
Google for it, or goto your local sony centre and ask them to sell you one.

if you are interested in how I get on with it, you can mail me at airshod@gmail.com
I won't bother trying to complain to Sony directly, because it is quite apparent that they really couldn't give a toss.

-----UPDATE-----

I have now successfully repaired my camera with a new flexible circuit/ribbon cable, and have made some quick notes that can be found here:
http://www.rubbishworld.com/open%20camera%20part%201.pdf
and here
http://www.rubbishworld.com/open%20camera%20part%202.pdf


Good luck.

airshod
August 2008

I have the exact same problem, did you got around it?

SG
July 2008