I tried to duplicate this now and couldn't. But quite often, my AGC settings reset themselves for each audio channel, preventing me from setting the levels myself. I have to go back into the menu and reset it. In addition, the viewfinder power often resets to off. I was unable to duplicate this as well and am not sure what it's tied to. I just removed the battery and put it back in, and the settings were fine. But at least twice today, they reset themselves?
Any clue? This is really annoying and time-consuming to continually reset the settings.
Thanks.

not sure why that would happen, I've never seen it but maybe try hitting the reset button on the camaera. Of course you'd have to reset all the custom settings you currently have but it might do the trick. Like I saud I've never had that happen so I'm guessing here.

Thanks Don, I'll try it.
It just started happening a few months ago. I went to shoot and couldn't set the audio levels.

Does the PD170 have an internal memory battery which might be on the borderline of going flat?

If that is the case or even if there is no memory battery, a loose main camera battery intermittantly going resistive on the contacts might be enough to set this problem off. Otherwise it is off to the repairman for you.

My sense would be first to look to the main battery. It is genuine Sony or third party? Some third party batteries use channels for the pin sockets instead of tubes.

Therein lies a possibility for a resistive or momentarily open joint for a start, especially if the locating lugs in the camera body have worn and the battery can now rattle sideways a little. The pins in the camera can float a little to follow a loose battery fit. The tubular conductors in a sloppy Sony battery take the pins with it when it moves, so connection is far less likely to be lost.

Whatever it is, cleaning the pins in the camera body and the connectors on the battery with a cotton tip or wooden toothpick damped with cleaning alcohol can't hurt.

Hopefully I have not sent you on a goosechase.

Kell
Your internal battery is dead. The way to test it is to take out the battery and put it back in. If it resets to factory setting its the internal battery. I have to plug my PD to the wall to switch out the battery now.




Dan
www.forevermoentsvideo.com