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Question

deleting videos from HDR PJ380

Oct 28, 2013 3:53AM PDT

Hello,

So weird thing with this camcorder. Currently, I can delete videos, etc from the camcorder via the camcorder, but not via connecting it to my computer. I had a sony previously and I've also had other cameras and camcorders, and this is a first for me.

I contacted tech support, and first they had me install sony's software, which is junk anyways, and then said it was b/c that footage was protected. I don't see how but just for fun, I went ahead and "unprotected" it to make sure it wasn't. They even tried to tell me it was my operating system, etc. I finally gave up on them.

Has anyone else either experienced this, has a solution, or something?

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Making you delete files
Oct 30, 2013 9:18AM PDT

on the camcorder using the camcorder actually saves you later.

When the camcorder captures an image or video, an internal database is updated. This is how it displays thumbnails, provides in-camera editing, text/titles and all that - basically keeping track of all the files, transitions used, text implemented, music added, etc.

When you delete the media files using the computer, that index file is not updated. When the index file is not updated, two things happen:
1) You may see the thumbnail during playback on the camcorder - but the file is gone so when you try to access it in the camcorder, the index file can't find the media file and an error message is displayed.
2) The information in the index file is not removed - over time, the index file gets filled with information on files that are no longer in the camcorder using space that could be used for video or stills image capture/storage. The resolution to recover the memory is to format the memory to reset the index file - this may not be desirable.

Then there's the Operating Guide...
https://docs.sony.com/release/HDR-CX220_CX230_CX280_CX290_CX320_CX380_CX390_HDR-PJ220_PJ230_PJ320_PJ380_PJ390_guide_EN.pdf

Page 85. Since we don't know which computer you are using or which operating system is running on it, we don't know if it is using NTFS or FAT. In this case, the Sony Technical folks you spoke with could have been correct. When the memory in the camcorder is formatted, several directories are created alone with the new index file. The camcorder's embedded "operating system" takes care of this.

I have no doubt that you have successfully used other cameras and deleted their files using a computer. But those are not this camera. So while you may think it is a problem and you may even find a work around to do what you want, from what I can tell this camcorder is working as designed.

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Making you delete files
Oct 30, 2013 12:26PM PDT

You know, that is an excellent explanation and makes perfect sense. Given my navigation of the camcorder's files and directories, I do believe you are correct.

That said, the fellow I spoke with actually did not understand what you have explained. Had he, I would have dropped it. What I wanted to know was why. If that's normal, fine, but if it's not, what's wrong? He kept saying it was b/c I had protected the files somehow and then tried to argue it was something wrong with my laptop and then said it was b/c I didn't have their software installed.

What I am using is Windows 7 Ultimate edition running on a 64 bit operating system. But based on what you said, it may be undesirable in general to delete via a computer.

Thank you for an explanation that makes sense.