How to repair open/ close compartment- Sony DCR-TRV30E?

Question

WHEN I LOADED TAPE INTO COMPARTMENT I CLOSED THE DOOR BEFORE THE TAPE HAD CHANCE TO LOAD AND CLOSE INTO PLACE. HOW CAN I REPAIR OPEN/CLOSE MACHANISUM?

Answer 1

There is a good chance- and I hate to be fatalsitic- that if the tape was in the process of threading, or the gate wasn't fully opened, then you may have mashed the capstans and routers that formt he tape play path.

If you want to limit the damage then the best bet is to take the camera to you nearest sony service centre (try www.sony.co.uk) Sony also do fixed price repairs on cameras, this may be your best bet.

Also check the details of your home insurance policy...

The TRV30 is around four five years old now, and though still a cracking camera, the world has moved on in terms of true widescreen and high def.  If the estimate on the repair is megabucks then look at an HD camera.  Of course HDD memeory stick &  DVD cameras don't have the same fragility problems but then the quality is also nowhere as good.

Answer 2

If you have contents insurance for your house (or your parents if you live at home), try contacting the insurance company and claiming under accidental damage. They'll probably determine the repair is too costly and send you a check that you can use against a new camera. If the contents insurance policy is 'new for old' or something similar, you may end up with enough for a new camcorder.

These mechanisms are very fragile and hence the reason the manufacturer's emphasise allowing the tape to spool itself before closing the door.

It's a genuine mistake - no-one would intentionally damage their camcorder like this - so the insurance company should be able to help out.