We purchased two(2) PD-170's in Q4, 2004. Both cameras are exhibiting visual and audio anomolies during playback. (Pixelation,Tracking type distortions etc.) Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how do you fix this problem???

When was the last time you cleaned the heads?

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"It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

The problem was still evident after the heads were cleaned. I have even sent the camera in for service twice and the problem still persists. Do you know what causes this?

Are you re-using tapes? Does it do this on newly recorded fresh tapes, or only on old tapes recorded a while ago? Are you playing back on the same cam each tape was shot with, or on the other cam, or on another device? Does it do this when playing back straight to TV or capturing to another device? Can you post a screen grab of the problem?

If an authorized Sony service center can't figure it out with the cam in front of them, I'd really hesitate to guess

Wish I could help more. Obviously a five-year-old cam would be expected to show some wear and tear, but it shouldn't be anything that the shop couldn't identify and fix.

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"It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

This occurs when using new tapes whether MiniDV or DVCAM. Have you heard of Camera Repair Japan(CRJ) located in Atlanta, GA? This is where Ii sent one of my cameras, twice to correct this problem. Needless to say the problem is still present. How can I send you a short clip of what I am experiencing?

You could just post a screen grab. When you reply go down to where it says "Attach Files."

And again: Are you playing back on the same cam each tape was shot with, or on the other cam, or on another device? Does it do this when playing back straight to TV or capturing to another device?

Also: if you play back in the same cam it was shot with, is the problem visible on the cam's LCD screen? Does it happen every time? How often? What brand of tape are you using (shouldn't matter, but you never know...)?

I don't know the place in Artlanta... I'm about as far from there as you can get in the continental US ...

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"It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

Yes, the problem occurs, a) With new tapes in either of our cameras, b) It is visable on the LCD.

I have a short clip I would like to send you. My email address is <hhouse@carolina.rr.com>.

I think it has to do with the recording mechanism.

I cannot be the only one experiencing this problem. There has to be a fix...

I think it's best if you capture and export a single frame showing the problem and post it publicly here, so others can see the problems and offer solutions as well.

At this point it could be anything, and the most likely culprit is dirty or misaligned heads, but no way to be sure, and you say one of the cams has already been professionally cleaned and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. So it's puzzling...

To have it happen at the same time to two cams is also puzzling, and makes me think it's something outside the cams themselves.

It's not that you're the only one who's had this problem, but that it's usually pretty easily diagnosed and cured.

And sorry to pepper you with so many questions, but as none of us here (to my knowledge) are camera techs, the answers are essential to helping us run down the problem with out having the cams in front of us. So if you could go back and supply the answers it'd be great.

Thanks.

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"It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

I appreciate your response. I will try to post a screen grab for the forum. What is puzzling to me is that this unit has been, "In The Shop" twice and they could not isolate and resolve the problem. I am not a tech, but this basically a mini vcr and should not involve rocket science to repair...