Videotape Freakshow | Sony Handycam CCD-FX410

Attempting to use a Sony video 8 Handycam model CCD-FX410. Unfortunately it appears as though the belts are spoiled and/or something is wrong with the tape I have, turning this into a videotape freakshow.

[@THEVNCVRWAVE]

I have the 430 version of this and it worked fine until my dad decided to charge the battery in a improper manner (because we couldn’t find the adapter) it started up fine and played until the battery died, next day I tried to start it and the viewfinder flashed and then the camera starts beeping until you turn it off. Do you have any idea what happened? I’m assuming it’s fried. I’d like to take the tape out if it’s broken.

[@creepertech9872]

I got one of these recently, but for some reason the eject button does nothing so I can't do much with it :(

[@detectivedreams]

The problem with all these camcorders (90% of them that uses this type of batteries) is the bad electrolytic capacitors. It's like a plague, very difficult to find one of these in fully working condition. You have to replace all the capacitors in the circuit inside to make it work properly (most of these models has around 40 - 80 capacitors). And by the way, most of this era camcorders don't use belts, it's a direct drive motor system. The belts are from VHS VCRs and big camcorders.

[@JordanU]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@jaykay18]

I had a Video 8 Camera back in the early 90s. I fully agree, there's something about analog tape that you just can't get from digital anything. When a Video 8 Camera was paired with a good TV, especially a Sony Trinitron, the picture was pretty much unsurpassed in quality. The red switch on the tape itself is for write-protect. When it's closed and shows full red, the tape can be recorded on. When opened, showing mostly black (and an open hole), the tape could not be recorded on. Very similar to how VHS worked with the tab, but on those, after you break the tab out, you had to use tape or something to block it so it could be recorded on. Pretty sure those batteries are Ni-Cd. My dad had built a little contraption out of a block of wood and some rubber strips to fully discharge the battery. It had 2 small nails for battery contacts, and a small incandescent light bulb as a load. We'd put the batteries on there to fully discharge them, then charge them up, to help prevent the "memory effect" Ni-Cd batteries had. The little switch on the battery was only a passive device. The idea was, if you were going out shooting that day, you'd pack your camera bag with a bunch of the accessories and of course extra batteries. The camera we had, had a 1 hour battery that it came with (the smaller one), larger batteries were bigger and heavier, of course, but could last 2 or even 3 hours. The idea was you'd have a bunch of batteries with you, and after a battery was discharged, you'd slide the switch to the red position to remind you that it needed to be recharged. It was totally passive, up to you to remember to switch it back, which you would typically do right before placing it on the charger.

[@JordanU]

I too believe they are NiCd batteries. That switch is very clever and useful--certainly something you would never see on a product made today. I have 3 batteries for my camera and always get confused as to which ones are empty and which are full.

[@jaykay18]

@@JordanU Interestingly enough, I have 3 batteries and have never gotten confused as to which were full and which were charged. I know right now the battery on my camera is about 75% full, there's one on the charger that's charged, and another waiting to go on, and this was what I remember from yesterday. I wonder if your own identifier system might work to keep track of the batteries. Remember the switch relies on the user to change it, if you forget, the whole thing is useless. But your own identifier might work. You can perhaps number the batteries, and remember which battery is dead and which is charged. Or perhaps colored stickers, often you'd find small colored stickers at something like a tag sale, with a price written in, you could make each one a different color and perhaps remember better that way.

[@JordanU]

@@jaykay18 Numbering the batteries is a good idea, that would probably alleviate a lot of confusion. It is a minor issue though, most of the time I record with the camera plugged in and the batteries are irrelevant anyways.

[@mrenriquez_]

So the red position is just an indicator and doesn’t actually function to anything? I’ve been trying to charge either of my battery and it still doesn’t work once I place it in my camcorder

[@jaykay18]

@@mrenriquez_ Yes, just an indicator, doesn't do anything else. If the batteries aren't charging, that shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given how old they are.

[@lad7355]

Hi, this is a great video you posted. I have a quick question do you know or remember if the camera powers on without the CR2025 battery in the middle?

[@rupert6478]

it powers on, if i remember the coin battery is to store settings

[@sherpFPS]

Where do you think I could find a power source for one of these like you’ve got in the video. I have a ccd-fx520 but would rather go the route of directly powering the camera instead of just using a battery and charger.

[@JordanU]

I don't understand what you're asking, I don't know of any other power sources besides batteries or an AC adapter.

[@mrenriquez_]

I'd like to ask how do I know if the battery is ready to be used? It'd start blinking after it chargers for awhile, but when i pop in the battery it doesn't work

[@JordanU]

I believe when it stops blinking, it is charged.

[@mrenriquez_]

@@JordanU what’s the rough estimate of the charging time?

[@JordanU]

@@mrenriquez_ I have no idea, I've never used it outside of this video.

[@mrenriquez_]

@@JordanU because I’d charge it for so long and once it starts blinking I’d assume it’s ready to be used, but it doesn’t work. The camcorder is fine because it works when it’s plug to the outlet, but when on the battery it doesn’t. Do you know what the switch on top of the battery does?

[@mstrshkbrnnn1999]

@@mrenriquez_the battery is done. Get a new one or just use the camera plugged in

[@MA-bi2ko]

my tape deck won’t close, do you know why? the top part doesn’t close and it ejects the tape

[@JordanU]

I'm not sure, I'm far from an expert on these things.

[@MA-bi2ko]

@@JordanU thanks for responding anyway!!!

[@djbrucebanner9882]

i like it

[@JordanU]

OK

[@Sulmankhan-jz1nb]

❤

[@JordanU]

OK

[@VHSRecordingStudio]

Bad capacitors

[@JordanU]

Not good.