Canon ZR300 record button no longer works

I know this is going to sound strange. I had the same issue with my ZR300. When you insert a tape and close the mechinism you hear the tape whirl then it pops open and chimes. I found a solution online and thought it was to good to be true. It said to hold the camcorder in your left hand with the right side up (the opposite side of the fold out viewer). You then hit the camcorder , not real hard like slapping something. Open the door and insert the tape and WHAM! It loaded fine. Eight people had tried it according to the review and all eight people had success. I was skeptical but it works! Don't hit it so hard you break it. I did mine twice before it worked but it works everytime now. Trust me just try it and it will work.

hmmm...the only reason that usually happens is when the tape is messed up internally, or there is something stuck in amongst the head

Different camcorders have different recording formats. Some ar HD, some are 16x9, etc.

A camera that isn't designed for a particular pre-recorded format cannot playback that recording.

Rick

Cleaning Tape did the trick. Thanks!
Andy

http://www.fixya.com/support/t985270-cassette_loading_problem_in_canon_zr200

I "smacked" my ZR300 as instructed on this site and it worked. Good luck!

littlequeen

I would take that into a repair and have someone look at it. It could be serious.

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for this solution posting. Really it worked. I was about to buy another one instead of fixing the problem. Because you know how the pain is, to send it factory and getting it repaired.

Once again Thank you.

There is a fix for this which was posted for either the ZR 200 or 400. They call it the "Fonzie" fix. Just hit the camcorder with your fist on the side where the tape goes in (with the door closed). Hit it lightly once, try inserting the tape. Repeat this process with increasing force each time until this works.

Surprisingly, this worked for me. Obviously, there must be something loose for this type of solution to work. I actually had it working once, then it acted up again. I tried the same solution and it's working again. No problems for several days now.

You will likely have to order this through Canon.

Hi Everyone,

our MV800 was doing the the same so i "accidentally" dropped it (i got a bit frustrated and it was out of warranty) and now it works fine. please note it dropped about half a meter on carpeted floor while it was off.

Hope this helps