Hello everyone, I've been using a Sony Handycam DCR-TRV330 Digital-8 camcorder for 7 years with no problems, however recently I've noticed an annoying problem with the tape playback: when it plays back high motion scenes (like when panning a view or when the object moves fast) it shows some sort of horizontal flickering or pixel displacement. Curiously, this effect doesn't happen when the subject/camera is static or moving slow. I don't know how to describe this effect precisely so I'm posting a few video captures to let you see it by yourself: I need answers please: 1. Does this issue affect only the playback and not the recording? 2. What is the cause and nature of this problem? 3. And what can I do to fix it? Send it to technical service or just buy a new camera? I'd love to hear some advice ASAP at least for the first question since I got an event next weekend and wouldn't bother getting new tapes until I find a solution. Thanks in advance.
Your last two samples indicate a head problem. It could be a clogged or dirty head. Try using a tape head cleaning cassette Rich
I tried a tape on another Hi8 camcorder and it played well then played another tape recorded on this cam and it played like crap on mine so I can safely assume it's a playback only issue. Then I tried cleaning the head but that didn't work so upon inspection in the tech service they told me the headdrum was beyond repair and I needed to replace it, it appears that the lower "track" of the rotating part of the head is "blurred out" and not shinning like the others and that may be the cause of the faulty playback. I'll try another tech service for a second opinion to find out better before I throw my money out.
