A1U suddenly semi-dead? at DVinfo.net

Ross Campbell · November 29th, 2008, 11:55 AM

I was reviewing tapes on a fully-charged (Sony) battery and after several minutes of normal rewind/play operation, the unit suddenly shut down. LCD went black, and no power indicator on the power switch.

Tried different battery, AC power and still it won't even eject the tape. However, when pushing the reset button, or changing a battery, the LCD screen does momentarily flash white. It does this whether on battery or AC power.

Has anyone seen this behavior or have any ideas for further troubleshooting?

This camera has worked flawlessly for two years of moderate usage--surely can't justify Sony's repair center costs. Help?

Paul Cascio · December 3rd, 2008, 11:08 AM

Do you have a second battery? Or, try it with AC power.

Ross Campbell · December 3rd, 2008, 02:27 PM

Thanks for your reply. Yes I've tried it on two different good batteries and on AC. The brief screen flash also occurs when I plug in the AC cord or snap in a battery. Hmmmm...

Chris Soucy · December 5th, 2008, 02:27 AM

Guess it's stuffed then. Sony it is. Sigh.

CS

John Huebbe · December 12th, 2008, 08:55 PM

One of my HC1's went dead once. Sounds very similar to what happens to your camera. I sent it off for warranty work. They said they replaced a fuse inside of the camera. That was it. If you are daring enough you might take your camera apart and see for yourself.

Paul Cascio · December 13th, 2008, 07:06 AM

Why do manufacturers put fuses inside a camera where not only is it inaccessible to the user, but we're not even made aware that they are there?

Ross Campbell · December 13th, 2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Huebbe

One of my HC1's went dead once. Sounds very similar to what happens to your camera. I sent it off for warranty work. They said they replaced a fuse inside of the camera. That was it. If you are daring enough you might take your camera apart and see for yourself.

Thanks for the pointer...given how quickly it quit on me AND the fact that it won't charge a battery now, that might just be the problem. (and yes, I'm daring enough ;-)

Dave Blackhurst · December 13th, 2008, 11:52 PM

And I'm pretty sure the service manual is posted somewhere here, so it's like an invitation!!

November 29th, 2008, 11:55 AM	#1
Ross Campbell Tourist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 3	A1U suddenly semi-dead? I was reviewing tapes on a fully-charged (Sony) battery and after several minutes of normal rewind/play operation, the unit suddenly shut down. LCD went black, and no power indicator on the power switch. Tried different battery, AC power and still it won't even eject the tape. However, when pushing the reset button, or changing a battery, the LCD screen does momentarily flash white. It does this whether on battery or AC power. Has anyone seen this behavior or have any ideas for further troubleshooting? This camera has worked flawlessly for two years of moderate usage--surely can't justify Sony's repair center costs. Help?

December 3rd, 2008, 11:08 AM	#2
Paul Cascio Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, CT (Home of EPSN) Posts: 1,192	Do you have a second battery? Or, try it with AC power. __________________ Paul Cascio www.pictureframingschool.com

December 5th, 2008, 02:27 AM	#4
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,693 Images: 18	Hi Ross....... Guess it's stuffed then. Sony it is. Sigh. CS

December 12th, 2008, 08:55 PM	#5
John Huebbe Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: St. Charles Posts: 141	One of my HC1's went dead once. Sounds very similar to what happens to your camera. I sent it off for warranty work. They said they replaced a fuse inside of the camera. That was it. If you are daring enough you might take your camera apart and see for yourself. __________________ - John http://www.321govideo.com

December 13th, 2008, 07:06 AM	#6
Paul Cascio Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, CT (Home of EPSN) Posts: 1,192	Why do manufacturers put fuses inside a camera where not only is it inaccessible to the user, but we're not even made aware that they are there? __________________ Paul Cascio www.pictureframingschool.com

December 3rd, 2008, 02:27 PM	#3
Ross Campbell Tourist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 3	Thanks for your reply. Yes I've tried it on two different good batteries and on AC. The brief screen flash also occurs when I plug in the AC cord or snap in a battery. Hmmmm...

December 13th, 2008, 11:52 PM	#8
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	And I'm pretty sure the service manual is posted somewhere here, so it's like an invitation!!