HC7 Reinsert the Cassette at DVinfo.net

David Jasany · March 5th, 2011, 09:56 AM

I'm having a problem with my Sony HDR-HC7 when I turn it on or sometimes just when going into play mode. The screen displays a "Reinsert the Cassette" message along with a flashing error code C:31:23. Ejecting the tape and reinserting it will sometimes fix the problem, sometimes not.

I tried changing tape but that doesn't help. The problem occurs much more frequently now and I must do something about it. I've also tried removing the battery and turning the camera on for a minute or more but that didn't help either.

Any suggestions other than sending the camera back again to Sony for non-warranty repairs?

Thanks,
Dave

David Jasany · March 5th, 2011, 10:27 AM

I've also tried pressing the reset button but it didn't help.

Sony's flat rate service price is $461.

Adam Gold · March 5th, 2011, 01:53 PM

On the East Coast, Armato's is well-respected. Might cost less than Sony.

Have you tried a proper cleaning?

David Jasany · March 5th, 2011, 03:18 PM

Thanks Adam. I did run a tape head cleaner through the camera and it didn't help.

I tried a variation on the reset that so far has worked. Here it is:

Disconnect power and remove battery

Turn on camera

Push reset button next to display/batt info button

Leave camera like this for 10 minutes or more

Turn off camera

Reinsert the battery.

I don't know why, but so far this worked. I searched the Internet for solutions and this seems like this is a common problem with the HC/3/7. Some people were having luck with hitting the underside of the camera, but I didn't try that. I couldn't find any reference to leaving the camera in the on position without the battery for 10 or more minutes. It's just something I tried.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed but if the problem persists I'll contact Armato's.

Dave

Wayne Faulkner · March 6th, 2011, 07:35 PM

Not had this problem with my HC3E, HC9E, or HC9.

If you're looking to change the camera, the HC9 is available, it's been used about five hours, and will be put on eBay in April.

David Jasany · March 27th, 2011, 01:50 PM

My solution to the problem was short lived and the camera's back to having the problem. Anyone have a suggestion to fix?

David Jasany · March 27th, 2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Gold

On the East Coast, Armato's is well-respected. Might cost less than Sony.

Have you tried a proper cleaning?

Adam,

Is this the Armato's you're referring to?
Armato's Pro Video

Adam Gold · March 27th, 2011, 10:04 PM

I think so. Are there any others? I had thought they were in New Jersey, but I could be wrong.

David Jasany · January 23rd, 2012, 07:42 AM

I'm following up on my old original post concerning the problem with my Sony HDR-HC7. The cassette mechanism on my camcorder became even more unreliable and nothing I tried would help. After looking at the cost of replacing the HC7 with a similar model I decided to have it repaired.

I had it repaired by Authorized Camera Repair in Willow Grove, PA. It's a small repair shop and they did an excellent job of repairing the HC7. Price was about $200 to replace the mechanism and clean everything including the heads. Repair time was as promised, which was about 3 weeks. Matt, the owner, told me that normally their repair times are less but they were swamped around the holidays.

It's great to have my lightly used HC7 working properly again and hopefully I'll prolong the use of miniDV tapes a little longer.

March 5th, 2011, 09:56 AM	#1
David Jasany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 313	HC7 Reinsert the Cassette I'm having a problem with my Sony HDR-HC7 when I turn it on or sometimes just when going into play mode. The screen displays a "Reinsert the Cassette" message along with a flashing error code C:31:23. Ejecting the tape and reinserting it will sometimes fix the problem, sometimes not. I tried changing tape but that doesn't help. The problem occurs much more frequently now and I must do something about it. I've also tried removing the battery and turning the camera on for a minute or more but that didn't help either. Any suggestions other than sending the camera back again to Sony for non-warranty repairs? Thanks, Dave

March 5th, 2011, 10:27 AM	#2
David Jasany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 313	Re: HC7 Reinsert the Cassette I've also tried pressing the reset button but it didn't help. Sony's flat rate service price is $461.

March 5th, 2011, 01:53 PM	#3
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: HC7 Reinsert the Cassette On the East Coast, Armato's is well-respected. Might cost less than Sony. Have you tried a proper cleaning? __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

March 5th, 2011, 03:18 PM	#4
David Jasany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 313	Re: HC7 Reinsert the Cassette Thanks Adam. I did run a tape head cleaner through the camera and it didn't help. I tried a variation on the reset that so far has worked. Here it is: Disconnect power and remove battery Turn on camera Push reset button next to display/batt info button Leave camera like this for 10 minutes or more Turn off camera Reinsert the battery. I don't know why, but so far this worked. I searched the Internet for solutions and this seems like this is a common problem with the HC/3/7. Some people were having luck with hitting the underside of the camera, but I didn't try that. I couldn't find any reference to leaving the camera in the on position without the battery for 10 or more minutes. It's just something I tried. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but if the problem persists I'll contact Armato's. Dave

March 6th, 2011, 07:35 PM	#5
Wayne Faulkner Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Shrewsbury England Posts: 69	Re: HC7 Reinsert the Cassette Not had this problem with my HC3E, HC9E, or HC9. If you're looking to change the camera, the HC9 is available, it's been used about five hours, and will be put on eBay in April.

March 27th, 2011, 01:50 PM	#6
David Jasany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 313	Re: HC7 Reinsert the Cassette My solution to the problem was short lived and the camera's back to having the problem. Anyone have a suggestion to fix?

March 27th, 2011, 10:04 PM	#8
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: HC7 Reinsert the Cassette I think so. Are there any others? I had thought they were in New Jersey, but I could be wrong. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

January 23rd, 2012, 07:42 AM	#9
David Jasany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 313	Re: HC7 Reinsert the Cassette & Camcorder Repair I'm following up on my old original post concerning the problem with my Sony HDR-HC7. The cassette mechanism on my camcorder became even more unreliable and nothing I tried would help. After looking at the cost of replacing the HC7 with a similar model I decided to have it repaired. I had it repaired by Authorized Camera Repair in Willow Grove, PA. It's a small repair shop and they did an excellent job of repairing the HC7. Price was about $200 to replace the mechanism and clean everything including the heads. Repair time was as promised, which was about 3 weeks. Matt, the owner, told me that normally their repair times are less but they were swamped around the holidays. It's great to have my lightly used HC7 working properly again and hopefully I'll prolong the use of miniDV tapes a little longer.