Power problem Sony DSR 20P dvcam recorder at DVinfo.net

Hubertus Muller · September 26th, 2023, 10:17 AM

Hello,

I just got an used miniDV /DVCam recorder I want to use for work with my Canon XL1. But I have problems to turn it on. When I plug in the power cable, the stand-bye button lights on red after 2 sec, but that is all. No sound of the drive either. I cannot power it on more than stand-bye.

There is a minidv inside but pushing the eject button even during power on. I also tried with remote connection from my Mac Pro with Final Cut Pro over Firewire and over an old Avid Media Composer connection via a RS-232 cable (Keyspan USB-Serial DIN).
I managed to get out manually the tape but this changed nothing.
I found on some forum a post with a similar problem but no answer...
Might it be a fuse?
Any help would be much appreciated,

Best regards,
Hubertus from Geneve / Switzerland

Pete Cofrancesco · September 26th, 2023, 05:22 PM

Sounds like an internal component failed. Electronics like this don't have replaceable fuses.

Andrew Smith · September 26th, 2023, 08:30 PM

My heartfelt thought is that it just isn't worthwhile resuscitating something like this. Tape drive mechanisms are complex and the whole workflow was slightly "fun" even in previous years when we were using such technology. If you were to spend some money, put it into a more modern external recorder unit.

Andrew

Hubertus Muller · September 29th, 2023, 09:09 AM

I understand what you mean. But my workflow is retro and tape. There is not any suggestion how to start a repair process? In the repair manual and exploded view there is mention of a fuse…
Anybody had a similar problem?

Thanks again

Pete Cofrancesco · September 29th, 2023, 09:32 AM

Trying to repair old equipment is a popular topic here now a days. The first issue beyond being able to take it apart and put it together is being able to diagnose what component failed. Normally you would replace the circuit board that has the issue. Since this unit is out of production, you won’t be able to order it from the manufacturer. You would have to buy a used unit being sold for parts that has the part you need. If that isn’t possible you need to buy the failed component, de-soldier and re-soldier it without damaging the board. If this is beyond your ability then you’d pay a repair technician to do this.

September 26th, 2023, 10:17 AM	#1
Hubertus Muller Tourist Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 2	Power problem Sony DSR 20P dvcam recorder Hello, I just got an used miniDV /DVCam recorder I want to use for work with my Canon XL1. But I have problems to turn it on. When I plug in the power cable, the stand-bye button lights on red after 2 sec, but that is all. No sound of the drive either. I cannot power it on more than stand-bye. There is a minidv inside but pushing the eject button even during power on. I also tried with remote connection from my Mac Pro with Final Cut Pro over Firewire and over an old Avid Media Composer connection via a RS-232 cable (Keyspan USB-Serial DIN). I managed to get out manually the tape but this changed nothing. I found on some forum a post with a similar problem but no answer... Might it be a fuse? Any help would be much appreciated, Best regards, Hubertus from Geneve / Switzerland

September 26th, 2023, 05:22 PM	#2
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Re: Power problem Sony DSR 20P dvcam recorder Sounds like an internal component failed. Electronics like this don't have replaceable fuses.

September 26th, 2023, 08:30 PM	#3
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,065	Re: Power problem Sony DSR 20P dvcam recorder My heartfelt thought is that it just isn't worthwhile resuscitating something like this. Tape drive mechanisms are complex and the whole workflow was slightly "fun" even in previous years when we were using such technology. If you were to spend some money, put it into a more modern external recorder unit. Andrew

September 29th, 2023, 09:09 AM	#4
Hubertus Muller Tourist Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Geneva, Switzerland Posts: 2	Re: Power problem Sony DSR 20P dvcam recorder I understand what you mean. But my workflow is retro and tape. There is not any suggestion how to start a repair process? In the repair manual and exploded view there is mention of a fuse… Anybody had a similar problem? Thanks again

September 29th, 2023, 09:32 AM	#5
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	Re: Power problem Sony DSR 20P dvcam recorder Trying to repair old equipment is a popular topic here now a days. The first issue beyond being able to take it apart and put it together is being able to diagnose what component failed. Normally you would replace the circuit board that has the issue. Since this unit is out of production, you won’t be able to order it from the manufacturer. You would have to buy a used unit being sold for parts that has the part you need. If that isn’t possible you need to buy the failed component, de-soldier and re-soldier it without damaging the board. If this is beyond your ability then you’d pay a repair technician to do this.