VX2000: New heads? at DVinfo.net

Paul Perreault · August 1st, 2006, 01:19 PM

Hi--

I've read some posts regarding video and audio drop outs, head cleaning, etc. I have a VX2000 that hasnt seen much duty lately and has worked flawlessly since day 1--but the one day I pick it up to follow my kid around I go to capture (FCP 4.5) and get all kinds of data failures. After some investigation and experimentation I conclude it's the cameras fault. Im getting dropped audio/video on playback and during record.

I tried cleaning the heads, playing a tape all the way through, recording all the way through but the problems persist. What happened to my VX2000?

As a test I put some color bars down, then black and code with terrible results. I've posted a short movie with a few clips that show whats going on. Can anyone give me any advice about this? Is this a $150 or $600 fix?

Here is a link to the video (MP4):
http://www.paulperreault.com/pub/VX2000_Problems.mov

Boyd Ostroff · August 1st, 2006, 02:05 PM

Welcome to DVinfo Paul. I also have an old VX-2000 which has always worked fine but I haven't used it in awhile.... so now you're making me paranoid ;-) Seriously, I wouldn't want to sink much into a camera of that age myself, but I've got a couple newer cameras and only use the VX as a deck these days.

You can get a repair estimate using the web form on Sony's site here:

http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do

In the "for a new repair" enter "dcrvx2000" in the model number field and fill in the other info about purchase date, location and zip code, then click the search button. This will take you to another form where you can get an estimate. There might be other places in your area which could also do this service but I don't have any info on them unfortunately.

Let us know how it works out since questions like this come up from time to time. Good luck!

Mike Rehmus · August 1st, 2006, 03:29 PM

I'd be more inclined to send it for a quote to Armatos than Sony. They will never, in my experience, be more expensive than Sony and usually much less expensive. They are a NYC company.
800 628-6801

Paul Perreault · August 1st, 2006, 04:29 PM

Thanks for the replies so far. I've read good things on this forum about Armatos and will contact them.

I take it by the replies that you all think this is a hardware issue, not a head cleaning issue...?

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

Tom Hardwick · August 4th, 2006, 10:52 AM

You didn't have it switched to LP, maybe?

Paul Perreault · August 6th, 2006, 09:12 AM

No--I've never recorded in LP.

The more internet research/reading I do the more I think this is a dirty head problem. I'm trying to resist my natural inclination to take the camera apart...I'll call Armatos next week.

Thanks again--

Brooks Bennett · August 28th, 2006, 09:44 AM

Paul,

Can you check back in with us to let us know the status of your camera and repair when all is done.

I have a VX2000 that is acting up and want to know how your situation progresses.

Pete Cofrancesco · August 28th, 2006, 12:26 PM

i had drops outs when i started using my vx2000 after it had sat for a year. it went away after using it on regular basis, with new sony premium tapes. Your next step would be have a local camera guy clean the heads. You could do it yourself if you wanted to take the time to pull it apart and buy necessay cleaning equipment. Otherwise its like an over $600 sony repair bill to replace the heads.

Mike Rehmus · August 28th, 2006, 12:43 PM

Probably less than $100 at Armatos in NYC

August 1st, 2006, 01:19 PM	#1
Paul Perreault Tourist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 3	VX2000: New heads? Hi-- I've read some posts regarding video and audio drop outs, head cleaning, etc. I have a VX2000 that hasnt seen much duty lately and has worked flawlessly since day 1--but the one day I pick it up to follow my kid around I go to capture (FCP 4.5) and get all kinds of data failures. After some investigation and experimentation I conclude it's the cameras fault. Im getting dropped audio/video on playback and during record. I tried cleaning the heads, playing a tape all the way through, recording all the way through but the problems persist. What happened to my VX2000? As a test I put some color bars down, then black and code with terrible results. I've posted a short movie with a few clips that show whats going on. Can anyone give me any advice about this? Is this a $150 or $600 fix? Here is a link to the video (MP4): http://www.paulperreault.com/pub/VX2000_Problems.mov

August 1st, 2006, 03:29 PM	#3
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I'd be more inclined to send it for a quote to Armatos than Sony. They will never, in my experience, be more expensive than Sony and usually much less expensive. They are a NYC company. 800 628-6801 __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

August 28th, 2006, 12:43 PM	#9
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Probably less than $100 at Armatos in NYC __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

August 1st, 2006, 02:05 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Welcome to DVinfo Paul. I also have an old VX-2000 which has always worked fine but I haven't used it in awhile.... so now you're making me paranoid ;-) Seriously, I wouldn't want to sink much into a camera of that age myself, but I've got a couple newer cameras and only use the VX as a deck these days. You can get a repair estimate using the web form on Sony's site here: http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do In the "for a new repair" enter "dcrvx2000" in the model number field and fill in the other info about purchase date, location and zip code, then click the search button. This will take you to another form where you can get an estimate. There might be other places in your area which could also do this service but I don't have any info on them unfortunately. Let us know how it works out since questions like this come up from time to time. Good luck!

August 1st, 2006, 04:29 PM	#4
Paul Perreault Tourist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies so far. I've read good things on this forum about Armatos and will contact them. I take it by the replies that you all think this is a hardware issue, not a head cleaning issue...? Thanks again for the helpful replies.

August 4th, 2006, 10:52 AM	#5
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	You didn't have it switched to LP, maybe?

August 6th, 2006, 09:12 AM	#6
Paul Perreault Tourist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 3	No--I've never recorded in LP. The more internet research/reading I do the more I think this is a dirty head problem. I'm trying to resist my natural inclination to take the camera apart...I'll call Armatos next week. Thanks again--

August 28th, 2006, 09:44 AM	#7
Brooks Bennett Regular Crew Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28	Paul, Can you check back in with us to let us know the status of your camera and repair when all is done. I have a VX2000 that is acting up and want to know how your situation progresses.

August 28th, 2006, 12:26 PM	#8
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,996	i had drops outs when i started using my vx2000 after it had sat for a year. it went away after using it on regular basis, with new sony premium tapes. Your next step would be have a local camera guy clean the heads. You could do it yourself if you wanted to take the time to pull it apart and buy necessay cleaning equipment. Otherwise its like an over $600 sony repair bill to replace the heads.