Please Help VX 2000 Tape drive noise at DVinfo.net

Leonardo Espinosa · March 7th, 2004, 08:10 AM

Gents,

My VX 2000 all of a sudden started making a louder than usual noise comming from the tape drive or heads. It sounds like a motor winding up and causing a hum on all recordings..

Can anyone recomend a trusted repair center ?
I searched the forum for Sony repair center but did not find any contact numbers etc...

My camera is only 4 months old...hopefully will be covered under warrany....

Thanks

Mike Rehmus · March 7th, 2004, 02:32 PM

Assuming this happens with different tapes, not just one, you probably have a failing tape transport. Normally the tension arm is the culprit.

Sony normally warrants the labor for 90 days and parts for 1 year. You can contact them and ask if they will cover the repair but I doubt it. But worth the try of telling them that other owners have reported the same symptoms in nearly new cameras and you think they have a design problem.

Another option is to send the camera to Armatos in NYC. They do good work and don't charge any more than that required to effect the repair. A Sony flat-rate repair is likely to be more than $200.

Robert Martens · March 8th, 2004, 02:43 PM

Had my out-of-warranty, self-damaged (don't ask) VX2000 sent to the Bristol, PA service center some time ago for repair. They did a nice job, and the camera works properly, but it ran me almost a thousand dollars; the only parts replaced were related to the tape transport mechanism. I still have the itemized list of replaced parts, and their associated costs, lying around here somewhere, I'll see if I can't dig it up.

Lou Bruno · March 8th, 2004, 02:53 PM

It is your lower head drum assembly. Bristol PA also: 650 dollar repair.

Luckily, I had an extended warranty. The warranty paid for itself and then some.

Leonardo Espinosa · March 9th, 2004, 12:49 PM

I purchased an extended Warranty through Mack Camera...hopefully they will cover it.... Just need to figure out what to do about a second camera while they repair this one....
I guess it's time to invest in a 3rd Sony !

Any experience with Mack ?

March 7th, 2004, 08:10 AM	#1
Leonardo Espinosa Tourist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 2	Please Help VX 2000 Tape drive noise Gents, My VX 2000 all of a sudden started making a louder than usual noise comming from the tape drive or heads. It sounds like a motor winding up and causing a hum on all recordings.. Can anyone recomend a trusted repair center ? I searched the forum for Sony repair center but did not find any contact numbers etc... My camera is only 4 months old...hopefully will be covered under warrany.... Thanks

March 7th, 2004, 02:32 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Assuming this happens with different tapes, not just one, you probably have a failing tape transport. Normally the tension arm is the culprit. Sony normally warrants the labor for 90 days and parts for 1 year. You can contact them and ask if they will cover the repair but I doubt it. But worth the try of telling them that other owners have reported the same symptoms in nearly new cameras and you think they have a design problem. Another option is to send the camera to Armatos in NYC. They do good work and don't charge any more than that required to effect the repair. A Sony flat-rate repair is likely to be more than $200. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

March 8th, 2004, 02:53 PM	#4
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	It is your lower head drum assembly. Bristol PA also: 650 dollar repair. Luckily, I had an extended warranty. The warranty paid for itself and then some. __________________ Lou Bruno

March 9th, 2004, 12:49 PM	#5
Leonardo Espinosa Tourist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 2	Thanks I purchased an extended Warranty through Mack Camera...hopefully they will cover it.... Just need to figure out what to do about a second camera while they repair this one.... I guess it's time to invest in a 3rd Sony ! Any experience with Mack ?

March 8th, 2004, 02:43 PM	#3
Robert Martens Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 820	Had my out-of-warranty, self-damaged (don't ask) VX2000 sent to the Bristol, PA service center some time ago for repair. They did a nice job, and the camera works properly, but it ran me almost a thousand dollars; the only parts replaced were related to the tape transport mechanism. I still have the itemized list of replaced parts, and their associated costs, lying around here somewhere, I'll see if I can't dig it up.