BLEEPING NOISE AND FLASHING MESSAGE STATING C:31:00

SOURCE: "reinsert the cassettee" error in Sony HandyCam CCD-TRV 438E.

The camcorder most likely is not detecting the tape, you have a bad sensor and these sensors all come on a flex type board and the flex board is mounted on the chassis surface. This will mean that the entire mechanism will meed to be diassembled, and is a very big and costly job. My opinion is that this repair will run you abut 250 to 300 bucks and this camcorder is not worth this as new camcorders are under 200 bucks. Good Luck

SOURCE: Sony Handycam Vision ccd-trv308

Take the battery out and turn selection switch to camera and then turn it off. Put the battery back in and its working again.
if that doesn't work try
Try smacking the side of the camera relatively hard with the palm of your hand. Eject the tape and reinsert. You may need to do this a couple of times.

SOURCE: Handycam says C:31:22

error 31:22 means camera mechanism has error in take-up reel section and micro processor isn't receiving reel signal so it shuts down playback/ record function immediately. look into take-up reel section of mechanism.

SOURCE: error code c:31:23

Sony is pretty secretive about the :23 code. It can't be found anywhere. However, to service the C:31 code, Sony recommends you do the following:

1. Turn off the camcorder.
   
2. Remove the battery or disconnect the AC power adapter for 60 seconds.
   
3. Insert the battery or reconnect the AC adapter.
   
4. Turn on the camcorder.
   
5. If the error message appears, service may be required.

SOURCE: ERROR MESSAGE C 31:23

http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Video%20Camera/Sony/Sony_DCR-TRV18_-_Error_Code..html