Sony DCR-TRV510 Playback Blank or Choppy

Follow this procedure to troubleshoot if a blue screen is displayed when attempting to playback video from the camcorder.

1. Stop the tape.
2. Ensure the tape has been rewound to the beginning of the video recording.
3. Play the tape.
4. If the issue is not resolved, stop the tape and remove it from the camcorder.
5. Clean the video heads of the camcorder using a dry head cleaning cassette.IMPORTANT: Follow the instructions for use provided with the head cleaning cassette. It may be necessary to use the head cleaning cassette more than once per session.
   
6. Reinsert the tape into the camcorder.
7. Play the tape.
8. If the issue is not resolved, stop the tape and remove it from the camcorder.
9. Insert a different tape with video footage into the camcorder.
10. Ensure the tape has been rewound to the beginning of the video recording.
11. Play the tape.

If your Sony DCR-HC14E shows fine picture in playback of old tapes and does not give live view in camera mode to record then its CDD Imager problem that Sony will repair free of cost.
Click Sony CCD Imager Support for details.

comon sony issue. Proble is low torque tension on the head and on clean of the video head. Sony's don't have alot of tension on their take up reel though. I can increase this for about $100 on most models. www.megaone.com/larry

In 1990s Sony camcorder records movie in analog format so playing in digital camcorder like DCR-TRV730 doesn't mean it will be converted in digital format and you can not import file in PC for editing purpose. You will get analog signal while playing back old cassettes.

Regarding SP, LP speed, its decided at time of recording. Camera sens SP or LP automatically in playback and set itself accordingly.

If you want to convert old cassettes into digital format, connect our camcorder to DVD recorder and burn DVD which is digital format, copy DVD files in to PC and do desired editing.

Camera needs Tape Path adjustment and qualified camera tech person can do the job.

I believe all Sony model DCR-TRV2XX and 3XX would play Hi 8 and ST8
Such as DCR-TRV265, DCR-TRV285 DCR-TRV340, DCR-TRV355
I hope that give you some ideas

I was having the exact same problems, and I read a post on this website somewhere recommending that I just record a few seconds of video on a blank portion of tape and then the camera should start playing video normally again.

I tried it, and IT WORKED!!

Hi,
So your camcorder has problem of No Image in Viewer. Will you let me know this problem is in Camera mode or in playback mode? and this camcorder has 2 viewer, one is LCD and 2nd is Eyepiece. Which one is not showing image?

I think you face this digitizing problem in old recorded cassettes.
If yes, your camera needs little adjustments of tape guides. There will be one guide lose. In technical, we call it Tape path adjustment.

In playback mode the lCD displays the battery time, hi8 symbol and the tape counter. all the functions work the tape will play, rewind, fast forward. The screen stays blank on playback and the tape counter stays at 0:00:00 eventhough I can see the tape turning. I also hooke the camera to my tv and I got no picture.