Camcorder FAQ

As a camcorder repair technician the question I'm most frequently asked;  Is my older 8MM or VHS/SVHS camcorder now obsolete and if so is it not worth repairing?
The answer depends on your requirements and expectations for a camcorder.  If you use your camera to record family events where you have been previously happy with the results, then those formats are adequate and are still available now.  It also means they are generally well worth repairing, particularly if they are not over 10 years old and/or manufactured by Sony who remains a leader in reliability and technology.  Repairs are typically in the $100-$250 range.

What should I replace my old 8MM/Super 8MM, VHS or SVHS camcorder with?
The new truly digital (a very misused word) have phenomenal video quality due to the digital recording process.  The resolution or picture detail is much higher (almost twice) and that quality never deteriorates if the tape is dubbed or edited which is a major source of degradation in the older (analog) tape formats.  The tape should also have a substantially a longer shelf life.  Sony, Hitachi, and some other companies have created a transitional tape format called Digital8 which will play back your existing 8MM tapes and record in a digital format which will only playback on a Digital8 unit.  These camcorders are typically more robust then the DV format because of their larger video head drum size & mechanism and are more service friendly.  The DV format camcorders use a tiny video head drum and mechanism and as a result are very fragile and time consuming to service.  It is often cheaper to replace the complete VCR mechanism or printed circuit board rather than attempt to service a problem.  The down side of digital, particularly a DV camera is that repairs are not cheap, even for minor problems.  Repairs would typically be in the $200-$500 range.  The smaller the camcorders get the more fragile and susceptible to damage they become.  The older formats normally can take a lot more abuse than their digital counterparts. 

What advantage do digital formats have?
A good reason for upgrading to digital is they lend themselves to computer editing with the addition of low cost and readily available PC's and editing software.  There is no generation loss in editing and a spectacular range of effects, transitions, graphics and titling which are only limited by the expertise of the user.  They are powerful software programs which until the last few years were only available to professionals and high end users.  With a minimal investment a home recording enthusiast can create broadcast quality productions and is only limited by her imagination.

Do I need to upgrade my computer?
Your computer will require a Firewire card (IEEE1394), the more RAM the better and a large hard drive (at least 200-250 MB or more) which would typically be able to record 8-60 minutes of video depending on the amount of compression you are using.  Users will often dedicate a second hard drive to video editing only and reserve the primary drive for the operating system and programs.

Everything works on my camcorder with the exception of some feature which should be simple to repair.
Particularly with older cameras there can be a slow deterioration which only becomes noticeable when some function completely fails.  Often capacitors deteriorate over time and leak small amounts of their electrolyte on or even inside the printed circuit boards.  This electrolyte is very conductive and can cause all sorts of problems, particularly intermittent ones.  Repairs can often mean replacing all or many of these capacitors and there may be as many as one hundred or more of.  Seemingly simple repairs are not necessarily so.

Is my camera worn out?
Camcorders can rarely have enough hours of use to wear out in the way that your car does.  Far more important is how your camera has been treated and if it is more than about 10 years old:
a) Use your camera from time time rather than just at Christmas.
b) Keep your camera in a protective bag in a cool dry place when not in use.
c) Keep your camera free of dust and dirt with a soft brush and be especially careful to keep liquids away from it.
d) Depending on the environment it is used in, have your camera cleaned and professionally checked every year or two.
e) Don't leave your camera in very hot places.
f) Don't use damaged or spliced video tapes.
g) Don't use tape rewinders.
h) Don't buy no name brand video tapes. Ideally buy video tape made by the manufacturer of your camera if it is available as they have often spent a great deal of money and research to optimize a tape for use on their camcorders.
i) Don't use tripods unless absolutely necessary as they are most susceptible to being knocked over.  They are one of the main reasons for major camera repairs which can often be more than the camera is worth. 
j) Don't loan your camera to anyone. 
k) Never force a tape in or out.  A wide range of Sony 8MM cameras require a major repair if too much pressure is applied to the cassette door when closing it.  If a tape is stuck there is no way for a user to eject it and the camera must be professionally serviced.
l) Never attempt to open or repair your camera regardless of how handy you may be.  It is inevitable that you will further damage the camera.

I poured a drink on my camera;  Is it repairable?
It depends on what was poured on it and how much time has passed.  Sticky sugar based drinks are difficult to remove unless they are immediately washed out by a professional and may easily mean that the camera is not repairable depending on how much liquid got inside.

I dropped my camera in the lake/river/ocean;  Is it repairable?
Cameras can sometimes be repaired if washed and serviced immediately by a professional.  If there is water or condensation inside the lens, it is a good indication that it may be beyond repair.  Even fresh water has a variety of minerals in it which are conductive and must be immediately removed before they harden and calcify.

I have beach sand inside the mechanism of my camera; Is it repairable?
It is very likely that it is not repairable as the sand sticks to the grease on the mechanism and without removing every part, of which there are hundreds, and washing and re-lubricating, repair is not economically feasible.