Video Camera Repair - Archived

All questions and answers posted here become the property of AnaTek Instruments

The content of these pages is copyrighted by AnaTek Instruments. This information is intended to be for the individual, private use of all visitors to this site. Reproduction in any form is prohibited. All other rights are reserved.

QUESTION NO. P10603-1: Sony DCR-TRV10 camcorder. Picture in the viewfinder has what appears to be a loss of sync, in both camera & vcr modes but it is OK on the LCD screen. Camera was not dropped. The viewfinder does slide in and out and can flip up & down. Reseated all cable connectors.

Look for a leaking 82uF/10V yellow cap on the PBC in hte EVF. You can replace it with a 100uF/10V.

 QUESTION NO. P10703-1: Sony CCD-F40 camera was stored in an attic for some time. Unit has scrambled video in both the viewfinder and video out. Also the video head will only spin with a kickstart. There is no evidence of capacitor leakage. Replace SMT caps anyways?

Look for 2 electrolytic caps located in the Drum Motor Drive circuit. The first one is a 4.7uF/35V and the other one is a 33uF/10V. They are not the usual aluminum type smt capacitors. Look for small conventional electrolytic type (same type as in a TV set but half size). Then heat up the negative lead. If it is leaking, it WILL smell really bad. Remove it, and clean thoroughly the PCB with acetone. Then put a new cap in. This is also the fix for a Sony CCD-P375E.

 QUESTION NO. P121302-4: Hitachi camcorder VM-E23A, in camera mode, everything is fine. In VCR mode, the video signal (image both in the evf and from the video out jack) looks like the tape path needs alignment with no sound. Checked both guide rollers (take up and supply) for alignment but they do not seem to be the source. Sometimes, when I apply moderate pressure on the take up guide, the image has tendency to stabilize but not for long, then same trouble. Switched the whole mechanism with one from a VM-E10A, same trouble. Replaced a leaky cap(1uF/50V) near the capstan motor connector, no change. Does not seem to be a drum motor circuit-related trouble. 

Solved the problem by myself. Take up guide post support did not appear to reach proper mechanical position. Took it apart and solved the problem. Also needed a bit of realignment.

 QUESTION NO. P102202-4: Sony CCD-TR5 Camera. Video is scrambled in Camera Mode. Playback is fine. 

I have seen this problem caused by leaky surface mount caps located on the camera board mounted on the lens assembly. Look for black areas on the board near the ccd. Sometimes the pcb's will eat the traces away too.

 QUESTION NO. P72202-2: Panasonic 3500 camcorder has a problem with the charger due to MOSFET 2sk1105. I need the details and a sub for it. 

2SK1105 is an N-channel Mosfet, rated 800 Volts, 3 Amps, 80 Watts, Rds[on] < 4 ohms. A possible substitute is ECG/NTE 2378 with insulation hardware. Suppliers like Mouser and Digikey also carry STW5NB90, and IRFPE30, which could also sub, with insulators.

 QUESTION NO. P40802-8: Sony ccd-f40 camcorder which will only blink the eject light when power is added to the machine. Replaced the take-up reel sensor but still the same problem. Now it seems to be blowing a fuse right at the power source. 

Replace IC191=5 volt reg IC=Sony # 8-759-937-56=descriptionS-8054ALB-LM-S.

 QUESTION NO. P1120-5: Sony ccd fx410 camcorder , the moisture sensor symbol came on and now has disappeared. The camera still does not function.

Remove ALL SMT electrolytic capacitors from every board. Clean boards with alcohol then replace ALL SMT caps with new ones. SK Series (Thomson Consumer Electronics) has a kit box part # SKCK0004 & SKCK0005 which contains 18 + 18 different values for a quantity of about 100 +100 caps. Note part #'s taken from Thomson Consumer Electronics Catalog # 401 (publications # 1J226). To order Catalog contact Thomson(RCA) at Thomson Consumer Electronics, 2000 Clements Bridge Rd, Deptford,N.J. 08096-2088, USA Ph(609)853-2532 or (502) 491-8110 (service manuals). Note smt electrolytic cap failure is a common problem with many makes of camcorders not only Sony, you may find other OEM that sell smt cap kit boxes.

 QUESTION NO. P810-3: Sony CCD-TR6 Handycam. Viewfinder CRT has blank white screen during record/playback. All functions work normally, including video when connected via RCA cables to TV or VCR. There is no evidence of cap leakage or component/trace damage on the CTS's driver board. 

It turned out to be indeed a leaky 82 mfd 10v cap on the CRT's driver board.

 QUESTION NO. P45-1: Sony Camcorder TRV40 originally had intermittent refusal to accept tape or play tape if already loaded along with "other trouble" symbol. User says seemed related to environment changes (i.e. condensation conditions?) and had been occurring for ~2 years. Now unit never accepts tape and shows "moisture", dew symbol.

Check syscon IC from cold solder. Is very common on TR or TRV models to suffer from cold solder in this IC and in servo IC too. Clean mode switch, moisture and dust make noisy contacts.

 QUESTION NO. P424-10: Sony 8mm units, I have three of them and all will work for a few seconds, then the eject indicator blinks in the viewfinder and the unit beeps. 

By description of the symptom, check Take up reel. May be bad. Check or replace reel sensor. The transport eat tape? check clutch. If this unit is CCD-TR, you must replace reels table (take up and supply) is very common to crack bab. And clean contacts on flex board connection on bottom of transport, intermittent contact may cause error on sensors job.

 QUESTION NO. P425-2: Sony ccd-fx311 camcorder, the tape gets caught, and it will not rewind or fast forward. If ejected, the tape is caught inside. 

First step Load a cassette, and look on EVF if unit detect cassette inside. Test on cam mode and vtr mode. If unit does not detect cassette inside there is a problem with sensors. Check syscon IC and connection. If unit detect cassette inside and get ready to operate on record or play back, but 2 seconds later stop, eat tape and beep; it means problem with clutch. Check reels (take up and supply). Check drive idler and belt. If everything is OK check capstan motor. Do not forget to replace pinch roller. On Sony FX models is very common to find cold solder in syscon and servo ICs. With flux and fine point solder iron resolder both ICs. Be careful from static and be sure do not short pins with solder.

 QUESTION NO. P417-11: Panasonic camcorder VHS C Model PV-IQ314D Plays previously recorded tapes fine. Presently recorded tapes, when played back, have insufficient sound volume (not loud enough). This condition may be intermittent and sensitive to vibration.

Check for a poor connection in microphone plug. Replace microphone assembly, part # VXMW0082.

 QUESTION NO. P37-6: Sony CCD-TRV16 camera. Camcorder is showing the 32 33 code which means it will not do most functions. Sony rep said to replace the capstan motor. Need info on how to replace it and where I could purchase it other than Sony. 

Before you go to the trouble and expense of replacing the capstan motor, you should check the surface mount capacitors with an ESR meter. Those cameras are notorious for having a lot of bad surface mount caps, and they will cause problems ranging from completely dead, to poor playback & record, on up to symptoms that appear exactly like a bad motor.

 QUESTION NO. P130-7: Yashika Samurai hi 8 camera, playback and record suffer from a line on the top of the screen (view finder/tv) that is full of snow. Would this be indicative of a camera-deflection circuit? Tracking?

Check the tape path for contamination, especially the pinch roller and the capstan. The capstan should be a clean silver post. If there is buildup on the capstan, clean it off. Also check the pinch roller for any abnormalities. Check for any advance arms that are not working correctly. If these things check out and the problem still persists, then it's possible that the tape guideposts are out of adjustment. Readjust both guideposts until the problem goes away. Test adjustments by playing a variety of tapes with good recordings to test tracking ability. Readjust if necessary. If optimum adjustment is achieved, secure the adjustments to prevent drifting.

 QUESTION NO. P1222-1: Sony CCD-TR23 8mm camcorder will accept and reject a tape and when it does it powers up for a few seconds and shuts off, which I believe to be normal, but does nothing else.

Using only original Sony cassettes should solve this problem.

 QUESTION NO. P922-3: E57A Canon camcorder, the view finder video is shrunk vertical about 1/3 from the bottom. Kind of seems heat sensitive on the viewfinder p.c. board. I jumped all the caps on this board to no avail.

Remove ALL electrolytic caps. Very carefully inspect underneath caps for trace damage. If there is, install a jumper (esp. under 47uf caps. This will fix your problem. Carefull with this camera, I will not hardly fix them anymore due to main pcb and sensor pcb damage from electrolite. Replace all grip caps and evf will work.

 QUESTION NO. P930-2: I have a Sony CCD-F40 that somebody took apart for no good reason. The camera will not record the CCD's image, but will record from the video input jack. The unit will also output its image to the video output jack, and can be recorded on another VCR. Playback appears ok. Any ideas?

The ccd-f40 has two transistors for switching video and audio. Chances are the one for video is shorted or missing.

 QUESTION NO. P331-3: Sony CCD-TR84 camera, video picture is not sharp. I cleaned heads by hand and still no improvement.

The bad news is that your problem is very likely caused by defective surface-mount electrolytic capacitors on ALL of the various boards in this piece. Most of the camcorders in this age range from virtually every manufacturer now suffer in some form from this. The caps go physically leaky, fail, and ooze electrolyte all over the boards. Often, one giveaway is that "electrolyte smell" after the camera has run for 5 minutes or so. The cure is to change EVERY SINGLE CAP (CCD-F55s require 100+ of them), clean up all the electrolyte and repair any board damage. Feed-throughs will often be affected. It is often a nasty repair, and I have done zillions of 'em. You can try changing the caps in only the RF amp section (usually, the camera will play back an SP tape in LP mode), but in my experience, they will always come back later with more trouble.

 QUESTION NO. P217-5: Hitachi VHS VM-3300A camera. While looking through the view finder with or without tape in the vertical hold just keeps jumping as it would on a TV set out of vertical adjustment.

You did not specify if the video on the tape was fine or not. If the video is fine on the tape, the viewer in the eye piece is the trouble. It is basically a little monitor so it is possible that it has lost vert or, more likely has bad connections etc.

 QUESTION NO. P923-8: Sony CCD-TRV30 Camcorder. Blinking eject light on the LED screen, if I pop out the battery and reinstall it and press eject the tape will eject (but no idler operation). If I pop in another tape the unit will play fine until I press stop. When I do, the unit stops but then almost tries to eject (just partially though) then the unit beeps a few times and goes back to step one (blinking eject light on the LED) and jammed until I pop out the battery.

Clean the mode-switch and check the lift connector for dry joints.

 QUESTION NO. P524-8: Sony CCD-F77 camcorder. The video coming from the camera head has appeared to slowly get worse over a 6-month period to the point where it looks like a scrambled cable channel. Also appears to have lost horizontal sync. Could this be the dried out cap syndrome? If so what board do I need to go to? The VTR portion still plays back fine.

The caps on the CCD drive & process boards are leaking, total about 10 or 12. Possible feed through damage also. The cap on the VA board are the same age as the others, also the radials on the SS board will bring the camcorder back as a redo in the very near future if not addressed also.

 QUESTION NO. P25-4: Sony ccd-fx3300 camcorder, takes a tape, the drum is spinning. After a couple of seconds it opens up as a result of a fault, or sometimes does not even take it. On the viewfinder it shows the eject sign during and after has ejected the tape.

You probably need a Sony cap kit # A-7092-662-A.

 QUESTION NO. P84-10 RCA CC542 camcorder that was dropped and broke the crt in the viewfinder. I replaced the crt and now have white retrace with no video. I think the problem is the video output transistor/or ic. I do not have a schematic .It is a surface mount device with 5 pins. Need part # and suggestions.

Only one I have done similar to that model had a small board in the viewfinder which I replaced and cured the problem (after replacing shattered tube). Suspected surface mount. IC on board, but I do not "do" those. Ness Electronics in MN had both parts.

 QUESTION NO. P61-7: Camcorder:SONY CCD-TRV30 Unit plays ok. Search ff & rew ok. FF is ok but REW only one second then the unit stop with a warning bip. I have to get the tape out and reload it. The problem reappears each time i REW. Any Idea?

Possibly a reel sensor ( Infra-red emitter\detector or Hall ) is not producing the necessary pulses, being feed to or never reaches the syscon and/or servo control stage in order to keep unit from engaging a fail-safe\protect mode. Usually the IR emitter\detector are one piece with 4 leads...two at each end. If the IR emitter is open or not receiving its supply voltage or the presence of regular pulses generated by IR reflected by spaced reflective surface located at underside of reel(s) will both produce the same effect.

 QUESTION NO. P428-7: Have a Sony CCD-F70 w/ apparent head speed or servo problem. After recording a clip, VTR-PB is fine (usually) until, the cassette. is removed & then replaced (this may be coincidental) , upon which the video looks as though the head is reading @ approx 10X it's normal rate, i.e., striations across the screen but w/ picture in tact. The speed indicator alternately flashes between LP & SP as though it's confused as to which mode it is in. Any Help?

The capacitors on your camara are dryed up. Sony says to replace them all. I made a tool out of a $4 soldering iron to remove the surface mount caps. Try heating the entire board to see if it fixes the problem then use freeze mist to each capacitor. You might have to reverse the procedure. This job stinks like fish guts.

 QUESTION NO. P311-7: I am working on a Sony video camera model #CCD-FX410. There is no power to open the cassette door to load a tape. I have checked all the fuses I can find and they are all good. Some capacitors on the power supply board check questionable. Is there any kits from Sony to fix this problem. Does anyone have any ideas on this problem? Also there is no power to the viewfinder or anything else.

If the unit is completely dead check/resolder plug in to dc/dc. Also check for bad ic links. Loading is often connectors on bottom board need resoldered. Order replacement caps from digikey they are about one tenth the price as from Sony.

 QUESTION NO. P1024-13: I am working on a rca vhs camcorder model cpr250. This unit plays and records ok but all that can be seen thru the view finder is a single vertical line, in camera or playback mode.

I have seen one of these. The problem it had was that the picture in the display would intermittently fade out leaving only the raster. I had to tighten a loose connection to the back of the picture tube socket in the viewfinder. If it's not this you may have to replace the IC/board in the finder.

 QUESTION NO. P925-9: The problem is with a Teknika CX911 camcorder that does not power up. When the unit is switched on, the power-on LED flashes for about a half second and then goes out; there are no other signs of life. This problem repeats each time the unit is turned off and on.

This unit is now repaired. I replaced two NPN surface mount transistors that were defective. The only markings on these devices were "L G". They seemed to control a relay device used for power control in the power input section on the main PCB. All fuctions are now normal.

 QUESTION NO. P912-3: Sony CCD F-35 camcorder functions normal in record mode.During playback video appears on 1/2 screen and is unstable Horiz & Vert.

I have seen this before when only the heads needed cleaning on a different model Sony small video recorder ( this is not a full VHS, right? ) be careful!

 QUESTION NO. P912-2: RE: RCA Camcorder charger model# CPS019 Symptom: Voltage at charger terminals oscillating or jumping on and off. DC output 9.6V normal. I suspect IC 2 to be defective but would like to know if anyone else has experienced this problem.

If the voltage is intermittent between 0 and 9.6VDC, the problem may be as simple as a broken solder where the jack connects to the board inside the supply. This was the problem on my RCA charger - though diff mod #.

 QUESTION NO. P827-1: I have a Panasonic CamCorder (PV520D) that will not respond. No functions work, door will not eject open, but motor advances when powered up for a few seconds. Any Suggestions on what to look for?

Usually the transport belt goes bad on these units. While you have it apart you might want to clean the mode switch. Some of them can be taken apart but some have melted tabs. If you cannot get a replcement mode switch then try spraying cleaner in it and turning it vigorously as most of these are silver plated and tarnish loosing their conductivity.

 QUESTION NO. P623-3: I have been working on a Sharp VL-L80 Camcorder. Originally, the problem was the unit would not power up, but I replaced 2 filter caps in the power supply section. Now the capstan motor and drum motor will not run. I have found that the +12vdc supply for them doesn't work. The +12vdc is controlled by a NJM2403M Comparator IC (which I've replaced). The reference signal to the Comparator IC (pin 3), is a saw tooth signal riding about +1.5vdc. The trigger voltage, pin 2 of IC902, is solid DC volt line of about 1.2 Volts. The signals need to overlap each other to control the +12vdc for these two motors. (I did force the trigger voltage level up some with a voltage divider circuit temporarily and the motors will then run, just no control) So I know that at least one of these voltages is at the wrong level, But I don't know which one. Please note that I have replaced most of the caps in the P/S section and all voltages are at their proper levels and have no ripple.

 These symptoms may be caused by open circuit traces under leaking capacitors (especially 47MFD light blue ones) and/or intermittent connections on servo/micro IC.

 QUESTION NO. P625-5: PV-IQ2050 8mm Camcorder will not eject tape that is stuck inside.

To remove tape, insert proper tool under cassette door and carefully spread brass or plastic slotted door brackets just enough to release it from two opposing pins on the cassette holder. Hinge door away from camcorder and remove it completely at the pivot point. Break away plastic knockout covering loading motor and apply no more than 3 volts to unload tape from mechanism. Please note that a factory bulletin shows that IC6006, a 5v regulator #XC62AP4502MR, may cause intermittent or no power symptoms on this and similiar PV-IQ models.

 QUESTION No. P519-11: I have a Canon videocamera model E53 with a dead viewer. Is the flyback transformer to be checked before replacing the viewer tube? Are there common problems with this model?

 This is a very common problem with Canon camcorders. The problem is that 2 or 3 of the capacitor on what called the "grip PCB" (the board wich has the flyback) are leaking, and I do not mean leaking internally, I mean leaking their electrolyte on to the printed circuit thus causing corrosion and shorts. Check C2914, C2909, C2901 and if you see signs of grenish corrotion, look under that capacitor and check the lines of teh printed circuit, especially the ones that go to Q2902.

 QUESTION No. P526-3: I have two sony camcorders models ccd-f32 and ccd-f302. The problem is the cylinder head will not turn unless you kickstart it by hand. Can someone steer me in the right direction?

The problem is one or more leaking capacitors (the micro type) on the chroma/video process board. I have encountered this same problem in some older models like CCD-F50/F70/F500 and the capacitors at fault are never the same, so, the only way to find the defective ones is to test one by one, wich is very difficult and time consuming but seems like the only way if you don't want to replace the whole board.

 ANSWER 2: Sony has update cap kits for this problem on many models. To verify fault warm the unit up with a blow dryer. Unit should start up.

 CCD-F330 kit A-7190-069-A

CCD-F340 kit A-7190-071-A

CCD-V100 kit A-7190-070-A

CCD-F70 use A-7190-071-A

Others use kit A-7190-071-A it has 9 caps with instructions and covers all above models plus others.

 QUESTION No. P228-3: I am troubleshooting a SHARP camcorder model VL-L310U that only works on the vcr portion. On the camera portion I look thru the viewfinder and only see black and a display that says light. I suspect the ccd board or the ccd itself but am not sure how to troubleshoot any further to verify that is the problem.

 Check that the iris mechanism has not jammed shut due to the lubricant drying out. Disassemble and relubricate.

 QUESTION No. P1118-6: I have a Sharp VL-L80 and a Sharp L250; the power stays on for one to two seconds and then shuts down. Have tried timing and belts. Also tried new battery and power supply.

 Normally for Sharp camcorders, mechanical system will try to reset when power is turned on, if mechanical system does not move at all check loading motor, motor driver circuit, power supply etc. Check those SMT electrolytic capacitors, they are known to leak chemical and short out or contaminate circuit board.

 QUESTION No. P917-1: Who can help to find company UNIVERSUM - I have videocamera and I need videoheads for this camera - UNIVERSUM VKR 2315 (BEST - NR. 065.856 7). Note from Webmaster: This questions comes from a user in Latvia, so a European Source would probably be most useful to him.

 UNIVERSUM is a brand-name used by the catalog reseller QUELLE Schickedanz D 90755 Fuerth, Germany. The equipment itself may be manufactured by different companies. QUELLE sells in different European countries and can be reached viahttp://www.quelle.de. Quelle service (spare parts) can be reached via +49-180-33 22 377