The other day I got the C:31:23 Tape error. Luckily the camera worked when I replaced the tape, but it still sketches me out a little bit because we are shooting every weekend for the next 3 weeks and I don't want to lose any footage.
I shoot on exclusively sony blues (not HD tapes), and I want to throw a head cleaning tape in but Im not sure what I should do. Should I use the mini-dv head cleaner that is just like the tapes? or should I use an HDV head cleaning tape thats made for the camera? And are all the lubricants and oils the same in all sony types of tape?
Thanks guys

I had a similar experience with a smaller Sony camera. The numbers refer to an error of some kind. I can`t remember what my numbers were but I called my Sony repair centre and thanks to these numbers the engineer could tell me straight away what the problem was. Unfortunately I had to send my camera for repairs. Perhaps you should make a phone call and ask?

Just to be sure.

Svein Rune

The other day I got the C:31:23 Tape error. Luckily the camera worked when I replaced the tape, but it still sketches me out a little bit because we are shooting every weekend for the next 3 weeks and I don't want to lose any footage.

You might care to look at this disreputable link - it gets funnier and more worrying the more you read. It includes a list of Sony error codes:

http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Video%20Camera/Sony/Sony_DCR-TRV18_-_Error_Code..html

EDIT: Actually, I shoudn't encourage people to read that. Here's the error codes;

C 04 00 Non-standard battery is used. Use the info LITHIUM battery.
C 21 00 Condensation. Remove the cassette, and insert it again after one hour.
C 22 00 Video head is dirty. Clean with the optional cleaning cassette.
C 31 10 LOAD direction. Loading does not complete within specified time Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 11 UNLOAD direction. Loading does not complete within specified time Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 20 T reel side tape slacking when unloading. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 21 Winding S reel fault when counting the rest of tape. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 22 T reel fault. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 23 S reel fault. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 24 T reel fault. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 30 FG fault when starting capstan. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 40 FG fault when starting drum. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 31 42 FG fault during normal drum operations. Load the tape again, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 20 T reel side tape slacking when unloading. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 21 Winding S reel fault when counting the rest of tape. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 22 T reel fault. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 23 S reel fault. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 24 T reel fault. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 30 FG fault when starting capstan. Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 40 FG fault when starting drum Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
C 32 42 FG fault during normal drum operations Remove the battery or power cable, connect, and perform operations from the beginning.
E 61 00 Difficult to adjust focus Inspect the lens block focus reset sensor
E 61 10 Zoom operations fault Inspect the lens block zoom reset sensor
E 62 00 Steadyshot function does not work well. Inspect pitch angular velocity sensor
E 62 01 Steadyshot function does not work well. Inspect yaw angular velocity sensor

If you are getting a C:31:23 error that means that there is a mechanical fault with the transport (VCR Section) of your camcorder. Do not use a head cleaner to try to fix this problem. Head cleaners only clean the video heads, your problem is due to a problem with the reel drive part of the transport. Using a head cleaner tape may add to the problem that you are having by getting stuck in the camcorder and causing further damage to it.