Sony CCD-TRV608 Hi8 Handycam Black Screen & Clogged Video Head Repair

Yes, it's another Handycam video. I make no apologies for it. I'm transferring a lot of tapes and it was only a matter of time until I encountered one or two needing repair.

This Sony CCD-TRV608 had two issues: when switched to camera mode, the screen was black (but the OSD was still visible) and during playback, the video was garbled, distorted, and oftentimes triggered the blue screen that shows when there's no recorded content on the tape. The first issue was brought about by lubrication from the lens zoom motor migrating onto the small paper-like blades of the lens aperture. This had the opposite affect of lubricating things--instead acting like a glue of sorts keeping the iris from opening. The second issue was caused by a clogged video head, presumably from playing back very poor quality and/or damaged 8mm tapes by the previous owner.

I was able to resolve both issues by following along at home to 12VoltVids' videos on two similar Handycams having identical issues. Through some very judicious disassembly and use of isopropyl alcohol, I was able to clean the oil that had made its way onto the iris blades (giving the camcorder sight again!), and also cleaning the clogged video head drum using the back of my fingernail (restoring it's "memory"). The best part, of course, is that it only took an hour or two of my time and didn't cost a thing, yet I was able to repair not one but two Handycams that were planned to be relegated to the scrap pile.

12VoltVids repair videos:
Black screen on record:    • Sony CCDTRV108 Hi8 Camera Black Screen on ...  
No video during playback:    • Sony CCDTRV128 no playback and sticking ca...