20 Most Recent Sony HDR-SR12 HDD Camcorder Questions & Answers

My camera's touch screen on my SR12E also stopped working early this month (July 2010). Just before I had had it for two years.

I tried to backup, and was really struggling since most functions are done via "the touch of the screen".

But after much frustration trying, I found out that the camera also connects to the laptop the same way by pushing the "burn to disk" button. Try also the blue "EASY" button if the other do not work.

When this is done you can start the "SONY program" to choose import media or what it is called inside the program...

Now you will get the normal menu "popping up" so you can choose to backup the content to your computer.

Beware:
What I did further after backing up was to push the "reset" button to try to maybe get the "touch screen function" back in order.

But this only resets all preferences for the camera.

It did not delete what was stored on it.

The result is now that I will have to film in "default mode" (low quality) for the rest of my holidays, and get an irritating "set-up" screen menu prompting me to input the date etc each time I start the camera and at other intervals...

So the rest of my holiday will be in SD and not HD...

It should have been possible to choose the selections (navigate the camera) via your laptop when you end up in a situation like this...and need to change my settings.

Hope my solution were helpful for being able to backup.

I think you still should check with "consumer help" in your country if you can still get a free repair when the screen stops working, since you normally will be more extensively protected by law then what the warranty tell you.

part: Sony SR11 SR11E SR12 SR12E XR500 LCD flex cable Example & service manual: Sony HDR SR11 HDR SR12 Repair

My Sony HDR SR-12 had the same problem. The issue is most likely a broken flexible circuit board which runs from the display through the hinge to the main camera body. After seeing the repair costing from $250.00 to $400.00, I determined the camera wasn't worth fixing. Then I found i could buy the circuit board on Ebay for about $30.00. I ordered a circuit board, actually it came with a second board and instructions. It is a fairly tedious repair and took me about 1.5 hours. You need to be fairly mechanically inclined to attempt this repair. Basically you have to disassemble the camera and touch screen, replace the circuit board and reassemble. The cicuir board has to be folded and wrapped around the hinge correctly. I guess the reason they sell two cicuit boards together is to allow you to ruin one on your first try. The boards i ordered had good instructions on how to complete the repair and fold the cicuit boards. I got mine done on th efirst try, so I have another board for when it breaks again. Due to the time required, I can see whay the repair is expensive.

Can you share with me a email address that I could send the service manual to?

Thanks,
Ekse

HI,A component called hing needs replacement.

Which part are you referring to?

Hi,
A flexible board (seems like a strip in pale yellow color) worn out and it needs replacement.
The detail of part is given below:

187480611 PWB, FP-807 FLEXIBLE

This part number needs replacement.
Thanks

no if you format you can nor retrieve it again

I Can Only Say Make Sure Your Battery Is Staying Charged Cause You May Have A Bad Unchargeable Battery

My camera's backlight went dark. Occasionally it would work if I pressed just the right way, but it was basically toast. With the right external light you could sort of make out what was on the screen by back reflection of what was on the LCD screen.Search ebay for an HDR-SR11 or HDR-SR12 flex cable similar to this one: http://r.ebay.com/L4dWDQ It's not impossible to replace, but it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Some offer a replacement service with it. I did mine and it works excellently. An $8 cable and about an hour (plus a lot of pictures-as-you-go for reassembly) is all it takes.

My camera's backlight went dark. Occasionally it would work if I pressed just the right way, but it was basically toast. Search ebay for an HDR-SR11 or HDR-SR12 flex cable similar to this one: http://r.ebay.com/L4dWDQ It's not impossible to replace, but it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Some offer a replacement service with it. I'm doing mine myself. Results to follow, maybe, if I remember to post following the repair.

Check the polarity and mwatt hr of the battery because it sounds like that is where the problem is.

This is a failure of the cameras internal "night vision"switch which is part of the lens assembly. the camera will need to be disassembled to repair. This can be done fairly inexpensively. However, it's not really a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.

The most likely cause for this is a zoom or focus lens out of place or impaired in some way and can be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.