Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

dee_pat · 12th Sep 2012, 10:43 pm

Hi,

I hope someone might help me with a problem I am currently having with my Sharp VL - A10 camcorder.

Allow me to explain;

I took the device out of storage today with the intention of converting old tapes onto disk. It won't read any of the four tapes I have. I can remember this happening before but it would eventually wake up and work ok. I haven't operated it since then, which was about a year ago.

The possible reasons I can think of are:

The camcorder was in storage with a tape inside it - may not be of benefit?
The tape-reader might be dirty?

The picture LCD screen comes across similar to that of a TV station that has been lost.

Should I give up or is there something I can do to remedy this?

Thanks with anticipation.

Damian

dee_pat · 13th Sep 2012, 7:40 pm

I think I've answered this myself, the heads need cleaning. Well it's worth a go!

Anyone recommend gin as a liquid solution, as it's all I have? Not sure what to use as to apply it? Might be best to go and get the right thing to do the job properly.

Thanks,

Damian

Lloyd 1985 · 14th Sep 2012, 7:46 am

Hi,
I'd recommend a proper video head cleaning cassette, should be available from ebay very cheaply, camera shops may still have them too. I'm not sure as to using gin to clean heads!!

regards,
Lloyd.

dee_pat · 14th Sep 2012, 10:03 am

Cheers

I've no other choice than to do a home made job on it.

In fact Its beginning to come around. I blew inside the compartment, and wiped the rotating part with a cloth.

Not recommending this, but I need to finish this project by late tomorrow evening.

Cheers

Damian

paolo · 14th Sep 2012, 11:21 am

If you need to do it pronto, use Isopropyl Alcohol and a lint free cloth. Be very careful as the heads are extremely delicate. Taking a bit of time to get a proper cleaning cassette though is the recommended approach if you're not sure about what you're doing. These older camcorders can be a long time dead if a part fails.

Refugee · 14th Sep 2012, 5:00 pm

Always rub the heads in the direction the tape moves in. They snap off if you do them any other way.

Welsh Anorak · 15th Sep 2012, 1:48 pm

Hi
Keep it switched on for a good while and things will hopefully perk up. After storage the SMD capacitors all seem to die unpleasantly.
Glyn

dee_pat · 17th Sep 2012, 7:12 pm

Thanks alot (a lot) guys.

I'm still working on my project. Got the camera working by cleaning the rotating head part with a cloth that one would use to clean spectacle lenses. No isopropyl or anything though I have tried to find it in local shops.

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it as I was a new member and that, just passing through. I hope I might stay here and have a look around and see if there is anything else that floats my boat.

Cheers

Damian

12th Sep 2012, 10:43 pm	#1
dee_pat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Armagh Posts: 4	Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. Hi, I hope someone might help me with a problem I am currently having with my Sharp VL - A10 camcorder. Allow me to explain; I took the device out of storage today with the intention of converting old tapes onto disk. It won't read any of the four tapes I have. I can remember this happening before but it would eventually wake up and work ok. I haven't operated it since then, which was about a year ago. The possible reasons I can think of are: The camcorder was in storage with a tape inside it - may not be of benefit? The tape-reader might be dirty? The picture LCD screen comes across similar to that of a TV station that has been lost. Should I give up or is there something I can do to remedy this? Thanks with anticipation. Damian

13th Sep 2012, 7:40 pm	#2
dee_pat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Armagh Posts: 4	Re: Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. I think I've answered this myself, the heads need cleaning. Well it's worth a go! Anyone recommend gin as a liquid solution, as it's all I have? Not sure what to use as to apply it? Might be best to go and get the right thing to do the job properly. Thanks, Damian

14th Sep 2012, 7:46 am	#3
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. Hi, I'd recommend a proper video head cleaning cassette, should be available from ebay very cheaply, camera shops may still have them too. I'm not sure as to using gin to clean heads!! regards, Lloyd.

14th Sep 2012, 10:03 am	#4
dee_pat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Armagh Posts: 4	Re: Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. Cheers I've no other choice than to do a home made job on it. In fact Its beginning to come around. I blew inside the compartment, and wiped the rotating part with a cloth. Not recommending this, but I need to finish this project by late tomorrow evening. Cheers Damian

14th Sep 2012, 11:21 am	#5
paolo Heptode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 615	Re: Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. If you need to do it pronto, use Isopropyl Alcohol and a lint free cloth. Be very careful as the heads are extremely delicate. Taking a bit of time to get a proper cleaning cassette though is the recommended approach if you're not sure about what you're doing. These older camcorders can be a long time dead if a part fails.

14th Sep 2012, 5:00 pm	#6
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. Always rub the heads in the direction the tape moves in. They snap off if you do them any other way.

15th Sep 2012, 1:48 pm	#7
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,916	Re: Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. Hi Keep it switched on for a good while and things will hopefully perk up. After storage the SMD capacitors all seem to die unpleasantly. Glyn

17th Sep 2012, 7:12 pm	#8
dee_pat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Armagh Posts: 4	Re: Sharp VL - A10 camcorder can't play tapes. Thanks alot (a lot) guys. I'm still working on my project. Got the camera working by cleaning the rotating head part with a cloth that one would use to clean spectacle lenses. No isopropyl or anything though I have tried to find it in local shops. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it as I was a new member and that, just passing through. I hope I might stay here and have a look around and see if there is anything else that floats my boat. Cheers Damian