Sony Handycam issue - repair/replace?

after over a year, my camcorder is finally back in working condition.

i used the repair info posted towards the bottom of this thread, and sony sent me a UPS label, and sent the camera back 10 days later repaored

thanks very much to all who posted on this thread, and to the legal folks, as well.

mondo out

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UPDATE FROM SONY: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-news.pl?mdl=DCRTRV33
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I just got off of the phone with a Sony customer service rep, and everything was taken care of. Sony required a credit card, but the rep helped me out and had UPS send me a shipping label.

**Sony is aware of the problem and is fixing it for free (except shipping costs.**

If you have a different model number camera, enter in your model number and use the left hand menu for "News and Articles." Find an article titled "Important Notice About Your Sony

I had the same problem with my 10 month old DCR-TRV22. I also had only recorded 4 tapes. This is absolutely ridiculous although I feel that complaining to Sony, unless you get hold of the right person, will not do much good.

Perhaps it would do to get a consumer advocate together with all the people we can find having this issue and combine us all into one force. I have seen enough references to this problem online that it may qualify as a design/manufacturing defect. If I don't have any luck over the phone with Sony today then I may write www.troubleshooter.com a letter and get everyone who is experiencing this problem to join me.

That sounds like a good plan. I spoke with a supervisor and Sony checked the records and don't find a problem. I think that they just don't want to find a problem. Lets get everyone to complain and post in as many forums as possible. Eventually Sony will have to address the issue.

Hi! Just had the same thing happen - black LCD & viewfinder when trying to record. It's my father in law's unit (which I helped him purchase, along with an identical unit for my university age son).
Very disappointed to discover that this problem seems fairly common (appears to show up in quite a few postings on the net).
I had always been skeptical and felt that SONY was only a well marketed brand but they almost had me starting to believe that their products really were better - now it's clear that it's only marketing. Last SONY product for me. (And I was very actively looking at a SONY digital camera for my daughter's birthday.)

Same problem with my Sony DCR-TRV22. Blank LCD screen and viewfinder while recording. Can only play tapes.

Call the 800 number for Sony and tell them about your screen problem and they will send you a prepaid label through your e-mail and you just send your camcorder to them and if it is the CCD that is causing the problem they will fix it for free and ship it to you free. They had some problems with the CCD in some of these model but i they will fix for free if that is the problem.

Have you found out any information as to why your camcorder is not working? My handycam is doing the same exact thing. I hardly ever used it. The audio works fine, but while I record, the screen is black. I can only watch previously recorded tapes.

I'm also seeing black on my viewfinder for a camera we used only for special occasions. My question to anyone who has bought this camera - has sony step up to the plate to replace your camera?

I called the following number that I received from this website with a notice that Sony will repair, free of charge, cameras with black screen(no image in camera mode) from 10-3-05 through 10-2-07. Call 1-866-703-7669, Sony Custormer Information Services Center. I called, explained the problem. They had me try a few things, then agreed to send me, through e-mail, a shipping label to send the camera back to them. I sent it and received it about 3 weeks later, as good as new. We used for graduation and vacation already. C.C.

hi

same Problem with my camcorder too. black screen appears when I want to record something . but I can play the previously recorded ones.

want to know if it can be repaired .

I have a TRV33 and I am having the same issue. As to whether or not Sony thinks this is an issue, they must because under the FAQ's it has a way to try and troubleshoot the problem.

It didn't work though.

I have a TRV33 with the exact same problem. The screen is blank in the camera mode. The VCR mode is fine. In the camera mode, it still seems to be recording the audio.

I spoke to sony and they asked me to send it to a service center adn that it would cost me 269.00 . This is a rip off especially for a product barely over an year. I have lodged a complaint with sony at the below phone number. I urge u all to do the same.

ph 1-800-222-sony

-SK

I own a DCR TRV350! or shall I say I own a Piece of TRASH I have had my camcorder for about 2 yrs and like many of you guys only used it about 7 or 8 times. I took special care of my camera, because I paid TOO much money to treat it poorly.. After all the hard work and special treatment guess what, My camcorder doesn't work .I have the Blair Witch model.. or shall I say the Midnight Model!! Black screen with sound only.. If I wanted sound only I would have purchasd a "RADIO" at a much cheaper price. I will contact the lawyer listed and EVERYone else should also. Thanks for listening, A very UNsatisfied Sony Camcorder Owner. !!

I have a sony DCR-TRV255 and I have had it for about a yr and a half. I don't use it alot but I use it for my gigs as I'm a singer. I really look after my stuff and it's in perfect condition. Switched it on one day and the recording screen was blank and I was only able to record sound. It's obviously a big, common problem so I think its about time they sort it out or take it watchdog!

The CCD Sensor ICX281 is gone. You need to replace that.

Regards,
Davy Garg

Same thing. I found out when I was shopping for a new camera and saw the reference to BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH. How pathetic of Sony.

I spoke with a Japanese friend in Japan who told me in Japan, they have a legend that Sony dies after the warranty expires.

I do not plan to buy any Sony product until they admit this and fix it. American friends I have that work in Japanese electronics companies tell me this sort of thing happens all the time. The Execs do not want to hear about a defect so they strike comments form meeting minutes, ignore it and chastise anyone who acknowledges it.

The best way to fight this is simple: Do not buy Sony. What a shame.

So, I'm in a similar situation. But, rather than taking it from them, I'm fighting back. I've posted some negative reviews on Amazon.com explaining this issue in these reviews. Others are now following suit. The way I figure it, if the places like Consumer Reports are not going to spread the word that Sony is unreliable, then we the consumers need to get out the word. On Amazon alone, I figure I've caused 8 people to reconsider a purchase of one brand of current Sony camcorders. This means that Sony lost 10 times the amount of sales simply because of one former customer. Plus, Amazon.com reviews show up at lots of other websites that sell through the Amazon.com portal. So, who knows how many sales have been lost because of my negative posting. Others have been doing a similar job of letting other consumers know that Sony is not a trusted brand anymore. Yes, lawsuits are one thing. But the way to really make the point with them that this is not an acceptable business practice is to hurt their sales and let everyone know that Sony is NOT THE RELIABLE BRAND IT ONCE WAS!

Two years old, records audio fine. Playback is fine for both audio and video.
Sony authorized repair: over $250 - I declined.
Thank you all for your posts! I am vindicated and affirmed after spending months defending myself from
accusatiuons of dropping it!

Hi, my name is Steven Berk. I am an attorney in Washington, DC, who specializes in representing consumers who have purchased defective products from technology companies. I am currently working on cases of that kind against Sony (Camcorders) and JVC. I have been investigating compliants concerning Sony Digital Cameras. In connection with that investigation, it would be very useful if I could interview you about your experience with the LCD Failure/CCD Problem . If you are interested, please email me at stevenb@cuneolaw.com or call me at 202-789-3960. Thanks for your consideration.

My camcorder is an 8mm Sony CCD V5 with vertical sync problems. The viewfinder has a raster but a scrambled picture. Is there any current legal activity that might affect this model?

Hi. I too am very disappointed with Sony products. Our video camera is only 2 years old and the screen went red and then black. I have an extended warranty but it is a rip off as well. You have to have original everything, package a certain way or they'll return it untouched, etc. , etc.... It's virtually impossible to get it fixed to say the least. I will never buy sony again.

I bought a SONY DCR-TRV265E last year in the Middle East from a reputed showroom which stocks SONY electronic products.

About 3 months ago when I used the handycam, it worked just fine but last week, in response to my activating the ?record? button, the screen went blank. At the same time when I activate the ?playback? button, the picture, from the tape inside, is very good.
In short I am not able to do any recording.

Can you please send me a solution to this problem and enlighten me as to why this is happening?

I live in Bangalore, South India, and would appreciate it much if you could kindly give me the location of your legally authorized agent.

Thanks and regards,

SHREEPADA RENU

I think the repair cost will be very less in india compared to US.
If you would like to get it repaired in US, you need to spend more than 250$( apart form shipping expense ). Another 100$, you will get a new one.
My camcorder got same problem now. Luckly I have an extended warrany and might escape.

Visit Sony serice center and get a quote for your repair ( they need to replace CCD). There are many locations in Bangalore. You will get good service since labour cost is not too much.

Did anyone find a suitable resolution to this battery charging issue on the Sony Handycams? I still have this problem and haven't been able to get any definite answers. Seems like some people just used external chargers and that worked, others seemed to still have issues with this. Anyone have any recommendations on the external chargers if this was the solution?

Thanks in advance.

I too am having the same problem. i have had my camera just under two years. the other day my husband went to use the camera to take a picture and there was nothing but the black screen. everything else on the camera seems to be working ok. i also have recorded about 4 tapes.

sony wants me to pay $269 for a problem that seems to happen for no reason and without warning. the camera cost me about $700. sony said because it is out of warranty (which is a year) i have no choice but to pay for a problem that seems wide spread with their cameras.

if anyone has anymore information on this problem please let me know. if enough of us get together and let sony know how disappointed we are, even the people who already paid may have a chance at getting their money back.

Hi All,

I have the same problem with my my TRV22, which just over 1 year old.

Has anyone overcome this problem?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

I have contacted www.troubleshooter.com about this issue like djslack had suggested. The lady I spoke with told me to try talking to the manager were I bought the camera and get back to her on what he says. Well as you can guess he was of no help. So I will be calling troubleshooter back to fill them in.
I HIGHLY suggest that ANYONE with this problem (if you have had it fixed or not) contact troubleshooter.com about this issue. The more people that come forward the easier it will be to get refunds or have it fixed by Sony. This is clearly an issue with sony.
I certainly dont go around blowing $700 on things that cant even make it a full 2 years.
At www.troubleshooter.com go to the "contact us" link and either e-mail them or you can call their 800 number to speak to someone about the issue.