I have a PD170 and it is flashing C:31:23, which partly suggests moisture condensation. Not sure how when the camera was inside my house. But I opened the cassette area and left open to "air" out, per the manual. And this morning still flashes the code. Tried a different tape, new tape out of the package, plug and unplug the power cord, turn off and on, removed battery. I am desparate cause I have a major wedding shoot in two days. What has happened? Any quick thoughts. I am considering finding a company that rents them out just to get my shoot done.

Please help!!

And what about RESET button? Nothing?

Tried Reset twice. Nothing. Called Sony gonna have to send in for repair. New camera purchased in April, 2004. Luckily, I was able to rent one out of S.F. for a wedding shoot I had over the weekend.

my pd170 does this in vcr mode if the tape is near the end. When I start to rewind, it begins rewinding, then stops, and flashes 31;23. At this point I must take it out of the camera, rewind it in a different machine. tape wrinkling is often a problem when this happens. just one of my various pd170 complaints.

Try to see if you need to dry out the tape drive.... not sure maybe the
sensor is a little to sensitive...

Open the door and blow it with a hair dryer, not too close but close enough to dry it out with some air...

Do not use can air.....