What happens if you record on this camcorder and then play the tape back on
another machine that you know to be working ?
Unless you have done this test, you cannot conclusively say that it doesn't
record, it may simply not playback, and this would affect its own recordings
and other known good recordings equally.
Also, does the playback problem affect both viewfinder and audio/video (or
RF) output ?
Nigel said:
My car won't work, what's wrong with it ?
You have no idea - and we have the same problem with your post.
You want information, yet you haven't provided anything useful, not even a
make and model number. There could be many reasons for the symptoms you
describe, but unless you can detail the tests done thus far, you give little
to go on.
If you have no experience of camcorder repair, then your options for
rectifying this problem are very limited, and you will need to take it to an
authorised service centre for a repair estimate.
How much will the repair cost ? Only when the fault is diagnosed, will
anyone be able to tell you that, and at this stage you may as well ask 'how
long is a piece of string ?'
Hello.
Actually, it was my hope that if people had read this post and found the
information lacking, that they would have extended the courtesy you did and
tell
me that I needed to supply more information (and what KIND of information).
As for the car analogy, it's more akin to "my car won't go; the engine
starts,
the lights come on but when I put it into gear it won't go anywhere".
It was my impression that at the very least, the fact that all seems to be
well
EXCEPT that no signal is recorded on the tape should at least give an
knowledgable person some clue what was going on. I didn't need an exact
diagnosis, but to be steered in the general direction would be quite
helpful.
Anyway, as for more information, here it is:
It's a Sharp SlimCam VL-L62U.
Tests are that I've operated most of the normal functions, from zoom to
autofocus to attempting to record and play. When recording, the tape starts
moving and the counter advances as one would expect. Attempting to play the
tape shows the tape has been erased but no signal has been recorded.
Naturally
I've tried different tapes, a cleaning cassette, removing the power and
trying
again, etc. Attempting to play likewise yields no picture in the
viewfinder,
even if it's a tape with a known SP signal.
As for other tests, I have only observed it visually and noted the tape
loads
and moves properly. I have not the equipment nor specific knowledge to test
the
components themselves. You say my only recourse is to take it to a shop;
MAYBE,
I reply. There are certain problems I could envision repairing and some
not.
The fact is sometimes it's an easy fix. Also, if I walk into a shop, I'd
prefer
to know as much abou the prblem as possible.
So, hopefully this fills in some of the gaps. It may not be an expert
diagnosis
but then I *DO* know enough to know that this behaviour should give some
people
general IDEAS what could cuase it, provided they've seen it before. No,
it's
not a professional diagnosis but then it's not exactly as naive as saying
merely
"it doesn't work; what's wrong?"...
Maybe if some helpful souls have seen a similar problem, they'll share with
me
what turned out to be wrong.
