Mend > Video Cameras

My tapes will not play or only play for a minute - Sony CCD-FX400E PAL 8?

I have a rather old, unused for 3 years or so, Sony camcorder. I now want to transfer all my old "8" (not Hi8, though I seem to have some of these too) on to DVD. All items have been kept clean & dry in a Sony camcorder case. When I try to play tapes, the machine whirrs a bit + then the eject symbol pops up. Sometimes it will play for a minute or two, and then the same thing happens. Any ideas please. I want to preserve some valuable (to me, anyway) film. Thanks.

Andrew Crawshaw
October 2005

Sony Cameras, Video Cameras

The common problem of SONY HANDYCAM is : the small electrolithic capacitors used in the circuits mostly leak or "dry" following the time, especially when you don't use it for a long time. Try to "force" it to run with adaptor (~ 7.5 VDC) connected to the battery (as there is no DC plug), you may have the chance to "refresh" the capacitors and make it work longer.
Sorry if my info is not helpfull for you...

Do Thanh Thanh
May 2006

try the battery that powers the date and the clock in the camera its probably dead if you haven't used the camera for a while. This used to happen with an old panasonic I had. (its a watch type battery)

baz crane
November 2005