OT: VX2000 dropout anomaly

ScottyLacy wrote on 11/1/2006, 3:16 PM
Hi all,

Just curious if anyone here has any theories about an audio glitch that has befallen my Sony VX2000.

After five years of moderate use, I started noticing dropouts on playback. I had the heads professionally cleaned, thinking they might be the cause of the problem. No help. The guy who cleaned my heads suggested that the problem might originate in the audio circuit.

Today I did a few recording tests. The interesting takeaway is that the audio drops out consistently every 3.2 seconds. Each dropout is of the same length (about a quarter of a second).

Can anyone out there offer up any theories on this? I want to sell my VX2000 and upgrade to a newer model, but I can't really sell her until she's back in working order. And of course I can't use her for work in the interim either.

Any theories, no matter how odd or preposterous they may sound, are eagerly sought. I'm making one last bid to fix the problem myself before turning this over to someone who's probably going to charge me big bucks to figure this out.

(P.S. If you're in the SF Bay Area and can suggest a repair shop, I'd be most grateful for that info too.)

Scott

Comments

craftech wrote on 11/1/2006, 7:28 PM
The interesting takeaway is that the audio drops out consistently every 3.2 seconds. Each dropout is of the same length (about a quarter of a second).
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If it is rhythmic like that I would suspect a mechanical device rather than an electronic circuit. If I had to guess I would say the drum assembly is faulty. That will probably cost around $450 - $500 to replace from an authorized Sony repair facility.

There have been some problems with the Sony miniDV tapes in the blue package over the past few years. Cheesy plastic reels. If you are using them try switching brands - maybe Panasonic PQ. But I don't think that is the problem.

John
ScottyLacy wrote on 11/1/2006, 8:09 PM
Thanks for the insight. A mechanical issue with a drum seems like a reasonable theory. Now I need to figure out if it's worth the fix. What does a five-year-old VX2000 go for these days?

BTW, I've been using Panasonic MQ exclusively since Day 1. So unfortunately I can't test that theory out.

Thanks again for chiming in. I'm really at a loss as to the best course of action at this point.

Scott
Catwell wrote on 11/1/2006, 8:27 PM
I have been experiencing a similar problem with a VX2000. I had come to the conclusion that it was a playback problem, but recently using another machine to capture has not removed the dropouts. I have not checked the timing issue but I don't think it is that regular.

I have not pushed to fix it because I usually capture audio with an HD recorder so I don't require good audio from the camera. I am glad to realize that I am not alone.

Charlie
farss wrote on 11/1/2006, 11:09 PM
I doubt it's a head / drum problem. Those things spin very fast.
I seem to recall a latchup problem in the AGC of some sony cameras but that was a design issue so would have been there since day one.
apit34356 wrote on 11/1/2006, 11:25 PM
the Drum speed is very high, as Farss stated. The vx2000 audio circuit has been a weak spot in the camera line. The BBC, a few years ago, required an external circuit to be added to the vx2000 if you worked for them. So, Farss is probably on the right track. If the tape mech front pickup wheel is slipping, this could be suspect too, but I prefer the Farss approach.
riredale wrote on 11/2/2006, 12:14 AM
Once every 3 seconds sounds like something tied in with the supply reel, which I'm guessing might take that long to complete a full turn. Does it happen at the end of a tape also, or with a different brand of tape?
ScottyLacy wrote on 11/2/2006, 12:25 AM
I haven't tried a different brand of tape. I doubt that I'd glean much from doing so, seeing as how I've used the same tape--Panasonic MQ--for five years with no problems.

As for testing the end of the tape, I'll have to try that and see if there's any difference. Thanks for the suggestion.

Scott
farss wrote on 11/2/2006, 12:49 AM
The supply or takeup reel idea is a very good one.
If that's the problem the frequency of the problem will change throughout the tape. As the tape winds off / on the reels they spin faster / slower.
A slight bump everytime the tape pack turns could be enough to bump the tape alignment causing an audio glitch. It's always the audio that seems to fail before the vision or maybe it's just more noticeable.

Bob.
ScottyLacy wrote on 11/2/2006, 1:40 AM
Thanks, guys. I'm going to run a few of these tests tomorrow and report back with my findings. At least I have an angle to pursue now. The wizened pros of the Vegas board come through again. ;)