Sony DCR-HC51E camcorder with C32:11 error. Can we get it going again?

This Sony camcorder was donated to me. It may need more dismantling, repair and parts than we can do. But can we just get it going again? A leisurely repair... erm.. attempt to get it going again.
Audio and video transfers: www.video99.co...
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Music “Let It Run” with permission, copyright Cristie/MacFarlane.
Sorry I do not offer an audio or video equipment repair service.
00:00 Introduction
02:10 Test
03:11 Start work on it
06:00 Power up loading motor
09:00 Dismantle housing and working problem
22:31 Reassemble
25:35 Testing
26:38 More reassembly
28:41 HDV and conclusion

[@eriksnel6461]

I have fixed one of these years ago. Also a failing mode switch. The problem was that the contact on the gear gets loose over time and doesn’t make proper contact. The only remedy was to disassemble a big part of the camera. Glue the contact on the mode switch and then reassemble. It has never malfunctioned again even since. The glue used was a type used in the aviation industry because we had that at my job. I think something like UHU plus will also do fine.

[@benvandermeulen1446]

Brilliant. Always go to this channel. Fixed 2 camcorders with his directions. Have the exact same error on this camcorder now ( after it set for 3 years ). Hope I get as lucky. Thanks again for your excellence and patience in putting these movies together 👍

[@gianniantoniali7365]

you are available to repair mine? Gianni from Italy

[@Bruno-jp1wq]

Hi, I left my sony HDR-HC9 opened without any cassette for about 20min .....;thereafter it was locked and impossible to insert the cassette 😖. After watching your video I applied 4v on the motor as you do, and 🥳🥳 i heard it working. thereafter I could insert a cassette, and eject it without any issue ! You same me a great deal of trouble man ! thanks a lot !!✌

[@video99couk]

Mechanism must have become jammed and running the motor freed it up. Hopefully it will keep working now.

[@zhaohaigaogu7821]

時計屋さんの修理のようにもちろん細かいでしょう。😮教えていただきありがとうございました。👍

[@humbertobastidas6669]

Español

[@guillermo7247]

Great thanks...from Chile🇨🇱

[@ShawnTewes]

Sony had made component cables with that D shaped connector which break out into 5 RCA plugs (3 for component video and 2 for stereo audio). It was used on higher end models like the FX-1 and others. They may also have one for S-video as well.

[@video99couk]

Since the supplied cable has no S-Video plug, I'm assuming that S-Video is not supported on this camcorder.

[@vwestlife]

Sony did indeed have an AV cable for these camcorders with an S-Video plug on it. But it was an extra-cost option, so most people didn't buy it; the cable that came with the camcorder only had composite video.

[@SFtheGreat]

The S-Video is integrated into that propriatary Sony connector. Same technique was used on PlayStation conenctors, the fact that S-Video is not included in that cable is so that Sony could sell the cable with the S-Video separately.

[@video99couk]

But micromv camcorders already have S-Video cables as standard. So it seems strange to drop that from miniDV. I will have to try a suitable cable and see if S-Video is there.

[@digitalmediafan]

Recently won the Sony ip1e auction on eBay. Battey was obviously dead after 20 years but it was only used for a week at the time so mint condition. Waited for a new battery now the LCD screen has gone. Just my luck but apparently these are or were fixable🙏

[@video99couk]

I've not repaired a camcorder LCD screen but I'll guess that the flexi cable has split.

[@zx8401ztv]

Well done colin :-D Yes i was thinking you had exercised the mechanism enough to get the mode switch working. Leaving it for a week then powering it up will show if it's more stable. And didn't they put that switch so far away, they need a slap lol. Like you said, It did seem possible that the open/close switches were playing games too. As far as how fast you can fix something depends on how much of a pain it is, It can take hours. Some things i've spent days going round in circles untill the bulb lights above my head lol. You make smashing videos colin, you verbally mull over your thoughts and we are included . Some repairers dont do that, its harder to read someones mind lol.

[@video99couk]

Tested it a week later, still working reliably.

[@brunomarado890]

This model has S-video out. You need a cable that has in one side a D-connector and on the orher side has 3 RCA and 1 S-video (it's reported on the user manual as an accessorie) . I have a cable like this for my MicroMV. Continue the good videos on video equipment. Regards.

[@video99couk]

Well why didn't Sony just include that cable like they did with micromv? A bit shabby.

[@jmvirgfb]

Video really wasn't a bit "slow". I've the same problem currently with a camcorder (except it's jammed with the tape stuck inside it, and I can't get into it). Hopefully one day I'll find how to strip it and access the mode switch...one day....

[@Raptor50aus]

Common issue with these model handycams. Mode switch. Very big job to replace it.

[@shorttvshowsandmore1834]

I hope that this video can help me fix my camera.

[@boblordylordyhowie]

I have one of these I was asked to fix but the only problems is you skipped over getting the cover off the door mechanism. I am almost at the hammer and screwdriver to rip it apart stage as I cannot find anymore pinhead screws to remove.

[@video99couk]

Have you undone the three screws on the outside and two on the inside?

[@thebreretons]

This mechanism was terribly unreliable but was very fast in fast forward and rewind. The mode switch can be dismantled and repaired but the ribbon cable that passes between the upper and lower chassis hardens with age and fractures... the Sony replacement ribbons are lighter in colour (different material?), half the thickness, and more flexible.

[@video99couk]

I run a number of camcorders with this mechanism and so far they are reliable. However I did have one fail badly on an expensive HDV camcorder. Getting this unit apart to clean the mode switch, didn't seem to be as easy as it should have been, hence my bodge of working from the top.

[@pinwestoz]

Just wondering did you apply 4.7v AC or DC to the loading motor ?

[@azharinemaharani8991]

I have Sony Handycam DCR HC48 which works perfectly fine with the power adapter on. But if I take it out and put it on battery power, it cant turning ON, when i charged indicator lamp is flashing, what’s wrong?

[@video99couk]

They can all fail. Sony aren't generally too bad, but older, heavier models seem more reliable than later lightweight ones. Canon can be good though I've had one with a bad capstan motor. JVC and Panasonic rarely seem to last long, but maybe I've just been unlucky with them.. Not seen many Samsung but they've not been great so far.

[@gpowerdragon9852]

Mm Which brand has the most reliable tape Transport?

[@thesolitaire]

please mr what does the error code c81 mean sure Sony RV5 mini stereo

[@danwalkley304]

Admire your perseverance on this, but youbwere in the wrong place the whole time, there's a ribbon cable that runs from the moving carriage to the main chassis, this breaks, and gives intermittent operation, you think its fixed then no go, , I learned the hard way

[@video99couk]

Oddly though, this camcorder is still working months later.

[@thedadtris]

My tape door was stuck open on a similar model. I applied some contact cleaner to the mode gear and used 4v to get the transport working. The tape deck opens and closes perfectly now, however when I put a tape in the compartment, it either eats/creases the tape or throws up a different error code. I believe c:31:40, but I could be wrong. I cleaned the tape compartment as best as possible with cotton swab and alcohol. I cleaned the drum/tape heads with a piece of paper and alcohol. Still eats/creases the tape and throws up the error. Any ideas? Thanks!

[@video99couk]

Could be pinch roller failure. Sometimes it can help to take it off, clean (or roughen slightly with emery paper) then refit upside down.

[@thedadtris]

@video99couk ok thanks for that tip!

[@thedadtris]

Hi, I have a vx2000 that when I apply pressure to the tape compartment door (when closed), it makes the eject tape sound (it does not eject the tape) it just makes the sound. Any ideas on that?

[@video99couk]

There's no way to fault find my remote control, sorry. It needs looking at in detail.

[@Theolionnet]

I'm having problems with being able to open the tape box. When I open it, the thing comes up, but the part that's supposed to contain the tape doesn't open, and then it just goes back down. Do you know how to fix this.

[@video99couk]

Not sure from that description. What tape format?

[@Theolionnet]

@@video99couk mini dv

[@frankowalker4662]

Half way through I was wondering if it was the carriage sensor that was faulty. But it turns out, it had too many screws. LOL.

[@miketgb179]

The mode switch is in fact one gear further forward toward the outside than the gear you referred to as being the mode one. The mode switch gear has no centre screw but is held in place by a u shaped metal part. I have 2 mini dv cameras both with this fault. 1 I flooded with denatured alcohol and drove the motor back and forth which cleared the fault. The 2nd camcorder needed a complete strip to remove the mode switch to clear the fault. Lack of use causes the original grease to harden and the contacts oxidize. Keep up the video's, very enjoyable.

[@rwdplz1]

Mine appears to have whatever this problem is

[@andrewverran3498]

Would you accept around 6 broken /damaged hi8/video 8 tapes to repair and rip to a dvd? I do not require the tapes afterwards . Cheers

[@video99couk]

I would run them to USB stick, pretty much no-one uses DVD any more. Please email me via my web site video99.co.uk

[@gianniantoniali7365]

Great! Can I send you my camera? My daughter loves it but it's stuck with the error C:32:11. I tried to fix it but there are so many screws! Sony has so complicated project for all their products! How much do you charge to repair it? Gianni from Italy

[@video99couk]

Sorry, I don't take on repairs.

[@stevenchuong1661]

Where do you think I can fix it

[@flippers49]

That particular problem you only get on the sony camcorders...ALL of them. No such problems on Samsung, JVC, Panasonic or anything else. Have a lot of those sony camcorders with this intermittent problem. Even 2 mini HDV one's that's done about 6 tapes and now going to the scrap container after spending month's try-ing to get them working again. No luck whatsoever.

[@video99couk]

That said, other makes have their problems too. I nearly always use Sony for video transfers, but occasionally Panasonic.

[@andrewverran3498]

any details on your isolattion transformer and current limiter? cheers

[@video99couk]

I have two isolation transformers, they have appeared occasionally in previous videos. One is a big RS isolation transformer in a plastic box. The other is a multi-tapped toroidal transformer which I can use to generate various AC voltages. There is no current limiting other than fuses.

[@davidgoodall3378]

Had the same problem. Found out that if you give camcorder a couple of good thumps on the base it unjam/ frees up something. It worked for me and is still working fine.

[@tomboynanakadikwatro]

Do you still repair vintage camcorders?

[@video99couk]

I don't take on repairs, I have a backlog of my own equipment to work on. I would recommend finding a local business here: www.t-m-f.uk/forumdisplay.php?397-Find-a-Local-TV-Engineer-Here Many of the people listed there are very familiar with video recorder technology, but parts availability will be the big problem.

[@stevenchuong1661]

I have another one to yours and I can’t uses the electric tools you have

[@NevilleStyke]

Assuming that the pinch roller is still in place and secured by its little plastic tube piece, then these errors are usually thrown up by the mode wheel contacts needing to be cleaned, re-tensioned and re-greased (with a better quality grease than Sony originally used!). See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oonZi2SEpJqUsMU I do this repair for £40, these days.

[@video99couk]

Yes, mode switch is the likely cause, but it's not the easiest thing to get to.