I have a similar vintage TRV-11. I have not had the problem you are experiencing, but here is what I would try. I assume that you can still close the main cover and then re-open it (i.e., the camera has not completely jammed up).

1. Plug it into the charger and then try cycling the door closed, then open again.

2. With the main door open, try squeezing the tape mechanism as if you were trying to close it. Don't squeeze too hard, but do give the sensor inside a chance to sense the the door is closed. One possibility is that the door isn't closed all the way, or at least the sensor thinks it isn't closed, and therefore no signal is being sent to open it).

3. Try closing everything back up, and then rewinding (or fast forwarding) the tape all the way. The movement of the motor and gears may free up something.

#2 is something I have actually had to do before, so I give that the highest likelihood of success.

Good luck.

I have a TRV-10 that did that. I fixed it by pressing the reset button on the camera.

I first tried the suggestion of plugging it in and opening the door and it still comes out like it is ready to discard the tape but doesn't and then closes by itself again. It still worked as normal (viewing in VCR mode and recording) until I pushed the reset button and now nothing happens. Any idea why pushing the reset button would have killed it?

I pushed the reset button a couple more times and now at least it's working but it only opens up like it's going to discard the tape and then doesn't and then it closes again.
Everything else seems to work.

I wouldn't have thought pressing the reset button would have done anything. I can't say for sure why it caused it to further malfunction and, after a few more presses, to have it malfunction in a different way. However, it does seem to point to some sort of sensor malfunction that is causing the eject logic in firmware to get screwed up.

If you want to have it repaired, I highly recommend this person:

A-Tech Systems

I wasn't sure whether I'd ever use my TRV-11 again for doing any video work, since it is an SD camcorder, but I decided I wanted to have a backup for playing and transferring my DV tapes, so I sent it to him a few years ago. His prices were reasonable, and he also found one other problem that I knew I had, but which I hadn't mentioned to him (a flaky zoom lever) and he fixed that as well. He is much cheaper than Sony, and definitely works on your model.

I recommended him to "teakart" here on the forum, and while she had a few tense moments when he didn't return phone calls, it turns out he was out of town for a few days, and he more than made it up to her in the end, even after having to wait ten days for a part to arrive. In the end, I think she was happy.

Well, if it's opening up partly then you can always remove the battery at that point so it stays open. Then perhaps you can find the lever that pops open the carrier. Hopefully the tape has been unmounted so that you can save it.

It is probably some sensor or actuator that has failed. Nice thing about older cameras is that you can find them on eBay for next to nothing.

When I've had this happen with other VCRs the problem is caused by the tape failing to be retracted back into the cassette.
If you pull the battery while the door is open and then pull the cassette out you'll probably find the tape is still around the guides. If you're lucky and work carefully you might be able to get the tape off the guides and then rewind it into the cassette by hand with a pencil. Of course if you're not that concerned about the tape just cut it.

One factor that may contribute to this problem is sticky tape but that's only applicable with metal particle tape.

Bob.

I had the problem with a TRV11. Took it in for repair. Turned out to be a bad nylon gear that was slipping on its shaft. The local authorized Sony service facility, now unfortunately out of business, replaced the deck. Cost $150 approximately. That was six or seven years ago. Camera is still working.

I have seen the problem of tape still wound around the heads on my VHS decks, but never on a DV deck. In addition, when that problem happens, the cassette is "frozen" into place by virtue of the tape. There is no way this what is happening in this case because, if I understand the description, the outside cover opens, and the mechanism holding the tape pops up, but then the carrier that actually holds the tape doesn't pop open and let the tape out. So, if this is what is happening, the tape actually has been lifted out of the tape transport area, and this wouldn't happen if the tape was still threaded.

It is pretty clear that service is required, and I wouldn't be surprised if the problem doesn't turn out to be something pretty similar to what SecondWind experienced.

I have had this happen several times with my Digital 8 sony camera. I field stripped it down to get the tape out. It broked down into 4 parts. I have done this at least 3 times because I could figure no other way to do it and could not afford to have it repaired. I only ended up with a few extra screws.

I've had exactly that happen with my DSR-11 and M15 but these VCRs have no flap that's servo'ed as such.

As the OP has noted, it was dependant on the tape, all TDK. If I recall correctly the first time this happened was with the DSR-11 and I took it to a tech. Later on I just opened the unit and unlaced the tape myself.

Bob.

There is no error code so I think the problem is the tape itself.

Try these:

1. This is from Sony:

A. Turn off the camcorder.
B. Remove the battery from the camera.
C. Remove the AC power supply from the camera.
D. Slide the power switch on the camera to the VTR , VCR or CAMERA mode for 15 seconds.
E. Slide the power switch back to the OFF position.
F. Connect the AC power supply to the camera.
G. Attempt to open the cassette compartment.
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2. Check to see if that model has two small screws holding the side panel window on. If so remove it and while depressing the eject button I push in and down on the cassette tape.

3. Try taking the two small screws out of the part that reads "do not push this part".

4. If you hear a whirring sound when you hit 'eject', pull up and out with constant pressure.

5. From the owner's manual: If moisture starts to condense, your camcorder sometimes cannot detect condensation.

6. Finally, I found the service manual for that model. It describes how to "force eject" the tape.

2. TO TAKE OUT A CASSETTE WHEN NOT EJECT (FORCE EJECT)

John

Thanks for all the advice. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a chance to put some of these procedures to trial. Sony Forums are the best and I thank you all for your contributions. I'll keep you posted on progress.

So how did you make out Flash?

John

When I had Sony HC-3's I had that problem. Here is where I took them for repair:

Camera Solutions
http://www.camerasolutionsinc.com/

They always did a good job for me.

Good luck.