Help! :( My camera is not working properly... at DVinfo.net

Kyle Olson · February 7th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Hello there,

I have owned a Sony VX-2100 for a few years now, and it seems that it is finally showing some signs of wear and tear.

I recorded some footage last weekend, and upon playing it back, noticed that the tape seems to get interrupted from time to time with random spurts of pixelation and distortion. I threw in the tape cleaner, but that did not seem to resolve the issue.

I've been traveling alot with my camera latley, so perhaps something small got bumped in my travels.

What can I do to fix this issue so I can record my treasures again without worrying about the pixelation interruption? Anybody know where I can get this fixed in Southern California?

Thanks!

Tom Hardwick · February 7th, 2009, 04:43 PM

Worth pushing the reset button to see if this helps, then resetting all your menu options.

Kyle Olson · February 7th, 2009, 04:55 PM

Thanks for your reply.

I tried re-setting the camera and I even threw in the cleaning tape again for 10 seconds just for luck.

I tried recording 30 seconds on full screen (just as the camera re-set), and it worked great.

I powered off the camera, then turned it back on and put back my original settings (widescreen, etc) and recorded a minute of footage this time. This time, it worked just as well...as if the camera was brand new.

Wow, I sure feel stupid. Guess that's all it needed.

Just out of curiosity, why did that work? I know thats a dumb question, but what all does the re-set on the VX-2100 do?

Chris Barcellos · February 7th, 2009, 05:16 PM

My bet is the second cleaning actually dislodged some head clogging debris....

Mike Rehmus · February 7th, 2009, 05:18 PM

Reset primarily flushed whatever memory is inside, returned all settings to factory default, and reset the computer.

These cameras are run by a computer with an embedded instruction set. Sometimes they go a bit funny.

the VX and PD series are very susceptible to RFI problems and it is possible a spike got in a wrote a memory bit wrong or reset the computer at the wrong time.

Aren't you glad it doesn't run windows?

Tom Hardwick · February 8th, 2009, 01:53 AM

All camcorders have a CPU at their heart and can get their knickers in a twist for various reasons. I reset my Z1 the other day and was amazed how long it took me to get back all my various audio settings, assign buttons, date, time and so on. My hours meter is unaffected though.

February 7th, 2009, 04:36 PM	#1
Kyle Olson Tourist Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2	Help! :( My camera is not working properly... Hello there, I have owned a Sony VX-2100 for a few years now, and it seems that it is finally showing some signs of wear and tear. I recorded some footage last weekend, and upon playing it back, noticed that the tape seems to get interrupted from time to time with random spurts of pixelation and distortion. I threw in the tape cleaner, but that did not seem to resolve the issue. I've been traveling alot with my camera latley, so perhaps something small got bumped in my travels. What can I do to fix this issue so I can record my treasures again without worrying about the pixelation interruption? Anybody know where I can get this fixed in Southern California? Thanks!

February 7th, 2009, 05:16 PM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	My bet is the second cleaning actually dislodged some head clogging debris.... __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

February 7th, 2009, 05:18 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Reset primarily flushed whatever memory is inside, returned all settings to factory default, and reset the computer. These cameras are run by a computer with an embedded instruction set. Sometimes they go a bit funny. the VX and PD series are very susceptible to RFI problems and it is possible a spike got in a wrote a memory bit wrong or reset the computer at the wrong time. Aren't you glad it doesn't run windows? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

February 7th, 2009, 04:43 PM	#2
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Worth pushing the reset button to see if this helps, then resetting all your menu options.

February 7th, 2009, 04:55 PM	#3
Kyle Olson Tourist Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2	Thanks for your reply. I tried re-setting the camera and I even threw in the cleaning tape again for 10 seconds just for luck. I tried recording 30 seconds on full screen (just as the camera re-set), and it worked great. I powered off the camera, then turned it back on and put back my original settings (widescreen, etc) and recorded a minute of footage this time. This time, it worked just as well...as if the camera was brand new. Wow, I sure feel stupid. Guess that's all it needed. Just out of curiosity, why did that work? I know thats a dumb question, but what all does the re-set on the VX-2100 do?

February 8th, 2009, 01:53 AM	#6
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	All camcorders have a CPU at their heart and can get their knickers in a twist for various reasons. I reset my Z1 the other day and was amazed how long it took me to get back all my various audio settings, assign buttons, date, time and so on. My hours meter is unaffected though.