Sony Handycam issue - repair/replace?

After taking the TRV-19 to a Sony dealer,
they told me that it would be too expensive to fix (after trying to sell me a head cleaner and a new lens). The price quote? "Over $400". So, I am awaiting news on the class action suit.

We spent two hours on the phone with Sony last night (mostly on hold). After getting the run-around (they tried to tell us our black screen was not covered under the recall), we finally got them to send us a return label to send the camcorder(trv-19) back to be fixed at no charge. Go to their website (esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=DCRTRV19&news_id=95). They list the problem and give a toll free number to call. If they put you on hold too long, call them back and DON'T take no for an answer.

Thanks to all the people at CNET for staying on the case and helping all of us.

To all,

Thanks for the great info. and the Sony link which addresses the ccd problem. My TRV38 had the same problem a couple of months ago and I called Sony customer service as recommended in the forum. I described the symptoms and some of the steps taken such as resetting and operating it with a fully charged battery to try to resolve the problem. The service rep. was quick to provide the return label so I can ship my camcorder to their repair center. I just got it back two days ago and it is working fine again. Sony covered the repair and all the shipping cost. The whole process took about 2 weeks so I am satified with the outcome. I would definitely call them if anyone has the same ccd problem.

I just had the same problem occur with my Sony DCR-HC30. I am not comforted by what I see on this forum. Now I know why I hate Sony and their propietary formats.

Call them. Make it clear it's the same problem that they are fixing for previous models, and be persistent. Just keep escalating - take it to a supervisor, then to customer retention. File a complaint with the Better Bussiness Bureau's web site, and send a message via Planet Feedback.

If they insist on charging you, ask for an accomodation to cover the warranty repair costs once you get through to customer retention (they're the only group that will care enough to help you). Be sure to let them know how many Sony products you've bought in the past and how few you'll buy in the future as a result of this experience.

It happened to me too, my 2.5 years old DCR-HC30 stopped to work. I'm with SONY service on hold, they said that this is common problem with the sensor and they offer the fix for free, but since I'm from Canada, they directed me to Canadian service center, still for free.

Mu HC-42 went blanl about a montha ago -weeks before I dound this forum. Could it be they would fix it for free?
I live in Brazil and would have to send it to the USA for repair probably.

i had the same black screen problem with the Sony TRV22 (where it can only playback and NOT record - which is usually the function of a TV!). I've had it for about two years now. After the 9th month it stopped working for a day (which was the end of my honeymoon) and then the next day it was working fine.. strange.. Then 6 months later it stopped working again, but this time for good.
After reading thru all the posts it seems like i was lucky to get a little over year out of it! YAY! and now I have a $600 2 inch TV!(that only plays miniDV)
anyway, Strauss Repair Center (in Washington DC) said they would repair it for $270. i told them no way.
It seems like Sony gambled by using a cheap component in their cameras.. and hopefully now its going to backfire in their face because more and more people are coming forward with complaints.

Bought in Nov-2002. Camera gave this problem (blank screen while recording) on and off for last few months. Now completety blank in record mode. Spoke to Sony. Sony wanted $270 for repair. Tried to talk to them that several people are experiencing the same problem and its possibly a defect in certain sony cams. But the rep didn't agree.

Couple of days later filed e-compaint so that I can copy the URLs (including this one) where people are talking about the same issue. But again Sony blindly declined to review the complaint and only help they offered is to get it repaired for half the cost of the camera.

Totaly frustrated with Sony. Never SOny again.

Hi ALL,
Even I am experiencing the same problem DCR-TRV22 SONY camcorder...It just wont record any picture...basically camera is not working but it plays videos, which is of no use when main thing doesn't work...I used my camc lasttime some 6 months ago...now when I started to use now, blank screen appears.... I really dont know how to go about it...i always had trust in SONY products....and seriously today evening I planned to buy slim SONY digicam...now i will not go for any SONY products in future...so can anyone suggest me how to go about complaining this and get the problem resolved without paying more money...How to file e-complaint..? and does anyone from SONY respond to that ?..Kindly let me know...
Thanks,
Suresh

Welcome to the class action against Sony, friend.

There are links to it here.

I am not very pleased to be part of this forum, as all of you are too , due to the cause that binds us. I have emailed the lawyer guy ..
fussed up with sony support ... and now sitting frusturated on my chair.
.. NO SONY EVER ... now feel better.

Do post any development. hope more consumers join in .. there is strength in numbers.

So after careful selection and deep thought on where to spend the hundreds of dollars on a decent camcorder, my sister and I decided on a DCR-TRV22 and the camera worked fine for almost a year with less than intensive use and gentle care.

Well... needless to say, the 'Black Screen of Death' has struck and the camera is about as reliable as a wet bullet. The screen has various vertical coloured lines showing on the LCD OR it goes totally black and often, it also records EXACTLY what you see... all of the interference. The same thing happens when you attempt to snap a pic or record a memory stick movie using the LCD, viewfinder or just eyeballing it.

Sony is becoming quite disappointing, I would have gone for the Canon model that was priced similarly if I bothered to search 'sony trv22 problems' prior to buying... I live outside of the US, so repair for me is even MORE expensive than the $270~ I've been seeing.

I will contact the atty next week myself.

I last used my camcorder about 3 weeks ago and it worked fine. I just brought it on vacation and when i tried to record all i got was a blank screen on the viewfinder and the LCD. I can record sound, but no video. I can playback and use the other functions just fine. I would be interested to know if anyone has had any luck with SONY on this issue. I like the camera otherwise, but because it is 22 months old the warranty is void.

Hi Chisbo - Same is my the case with me. I last used my camcorder about 4 weeks ago and it worked fine in all respects and now I am able to record only audio and not video or still pictures. Any luck for you with Sony? Can you please update me on the issue and respond to me at nraghuraman@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance.

I bought this DCR TRV38 in Feb,2004. I seldom use it. Last month I started to notice the black screen issue.Now the LCD/viewfinder is dead!! I just learned from this forum that many people have the same problem. We need to do something to get SONY to fix this issue.

I got the same problem with you guys.I have bought this trush for 1 year.Yesterday,I found it was out of work.I have no idea.

I just called Sony today (12/5/2005). After giving the gal my Serial number and describing my problem (a posterized, distorted image in the LCD screen when in Camera mode, or when using the AV in -- but not when playing previously recorded tapes) I was told that Sony would repair my camera for free because Sony acknowledges a batch of bad CCD chips from Mid 2003. They will also be e-mailing me a UPS label I can print out and glur on the box to ship it to Laredo TX. Free shipping!

You may want to call them 800.222.7669

There is a method if more inetsive ''reset'' she had me try first:

Remove all connected items (power cord, firewire, etc)
Remove camera battery
Turn power switch to VCR for 15 seconds.
Turn to Off.
Connect AC Power supply and turn on to recheck.

Nothing personal, folks, but this is one club to which I didn't really want to belong. Had the unit for about 4 years, have filled 1 (one) tape - totally babied this thing, and last week we got the black screen. Web search found this thread, so if misery truly loves company, then I guess I'm happy - funny, I don't FEEL happy....
I'll call Sony tomorrow, just to get on record, then will consider my options - anyone know if the CCD blocks (assuming these are, in fact, the problem) are available on the open market?
Anyway, will post after I chat with the evil empire - to think I bought this thing (at a premium) as I was tired of having "off-brand" units fail to perform up to my expectations...

I also have a TRV68 that is no longer working (as if the lenscap is on...but its not)

Is this model also included in the class action or should I use a local repair shop?

I haven't been happy with it from the get go...but I expected it to last a lot longer than a tape or two!!! Esp for the cost!

Hi,

Just got this similar problem, what did you do to repair it?

Thanks.

I HAVE PURCHASED A TRV33 JUST A YEAR AGO. I USE IT ALMOST EVERYDAY TO VIDEO MY CHILDREN. JUST LAST WEEK I TOOK IT OUT AND THE SCREEN WAS BLACK. EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE WORKING BUT THE SCREEN. I JUST TRIED LOOKING UP TO SEE WHAT I COULD DO AND HERE I AM. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

LET ME KNOIW WHAT YOU ALL DID TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

Check the following link. Call them and explain the symptoms and they should send shipping label to you so you can send the camcorder in for repair. I had my TRV38 repaired in about 2 weeks. Good luck.

esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=DCRTRV19&news_id=95

kindly revert with the web site for the free download of software for making high quality vcds & dvds from DV camcorder (Sony DCR-TRV14E).

If you want to try and get your camcorder to work reply to this post. He is my cousin and is an electrician........and probably one of the smartest guys I know.
I was having similar problems as all of you. And I contacted Sony and got the same price it would take to fix. I wasn't going to pay that much for this piece of SH*$ so I decided with nothing else to lose I would give it to him to take a look at and try some different things.
He told me about this web page and all of the problems people were having....then I recieved his link......I called him up and asked him if it was working and he told me yes. So if you haven't payed the unreasonable amount that sony wants you to pay, you have nothing to lose now do you?

Hey, I read you had luck fixing the problem, it would be greatly appreaciated if you could provide a little direction. any thing would be great. Heres a discription of whats going on.

My camera is sony camcorder DCR-TRV460

When I record I do not see any image on the LCD or viewfinder but I can see that camera is recording because the sound gets recorded. I can however, view pictures I have previoulsy recorded as well as still photos.

The LCD or the viewfinder acts as if the lense cover is on, but I take it off and it is the same (no image). All I see is a black screen but with all the control buttons on the screen.

Thanks for any help in advance, Walter

email:wwlord468@yahoo.com

Think this might work?

Am about to buy a new camcorder to replace this paperweight. Was considering giving sony a try again. After reading this discussion, I'll try a Canon this time.

Yes, It happened. Can you believe it?? I just had a fight with my wife. She said I broke SONY DCR-TRV33 because I did't follow the instruction when I tried to connect the camcorder to my PC and tranfer the tapes. Right after that, the camcorder did not work and constantaly shows a blank screen when I try to record. I know it may have nothing to do with the Camcorder-PC connection operation and I told my wife I followed the insctructions on the manual but she did not believe me!! Apparently she has more faith in SONY! Just like any family fight happening everyday, a small quarral always invites bigger fight... OK, i am cutting the crap... Finnaly, I found my club, here, but I hope everybody is still with your supportive sweetheart which is more important, right?

Anyway, SONY really pissed me off and I will fight with them to gain my wife's faith back. I will call that attorney in DC (202-789-3960). I also suggest everybody report this issue to www.bbb.org. They handle the defective products from any company. When you file a report there, you need to fill in the company's address. I got it from a SONY agent on the phone. It's ''Sony Custermer Services, 12451 Gateway Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33913''.

SONY, FINISHED!

--