My HDR-SR12 handycam automatically switches to night vision when it is turned on & stays in night vision. Doesn't switch back. I bought it used, & have been filming with it fine since I got it 8 months ago. The problem started recently. Didn't drop it or have it exposed to the elements. Can you help??? Thanks.

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

Here is a helpful video going over the problem you are having.

HI,
A component called hing needs replacement.

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.

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.

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.

Hello, have you or someone else pointed this night vision devise at bright lights, street lights, head lights. If so, maybe the damage has/hasn't alread been done. STOP. This PVS-7 goggles with ITT image tube with generation 2 or 2+ or possibly generation 3 tube. The devise is an American made unit, and the best in the world. Nobody can compete with the USA on NV. They sat the standards on Night Vision.

Have you replace the 6 volt battery? Get the goggle in a darken room then turn the switch on.
see if the 25mm plate will turn green and stay on. But first replace that battery.
Therefore, if this test works, then never and I mean never shine NV devises into bright lights, it will destroy them every time.

PS. send me another message and let see what happen. stewbison

Hey, you got you self a Russian NV monocular. There should be two switches. One switch is to turn on/off the unit. The second switch is used to turn on the IR illuminate--which means infrared red light. To improve the night capabilities of the NV monocular. Ther are two LED's one green for on/off switch and one LED that is red for the IR illuminator.

NO-NO-NO's

When the NV monocular isn't been used, take the batteries out. The worst NO-NO's is looking through monocular during the daylight hours. The do have metal front lens cover with a small hole in the center for a few minutes of viewing during the day. Remember---Use Only During the Night---Do look at bright lights, don't let the kids play with it and make dam sure that Grandfather doesn't get his hand on it. He will be doing long range peeping at the neighbors or the lady that leaves here blinds open during the. Kid-No, Grandfathers-N0, Fathers-that up to them. If pop going some night look see. I'll make a bit his survival ratio has raised demise by 70%. stewbison

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=HDRSR12&LOC=3

The camera is probably configured to record to harddisk now. Select your Pro Duo memorystick as the record media thru the menu's (select the memory stick icon), and you'll be able to see the stick content.