Tracking adjustment on Sony CCD-V30 camcorder?

[Tim]

I have an older Sony camcorder, model CCD-V30 (8mm) that appears to have a
tracking problem. Tearing on the picture displayed when playing tapes
recorded on other cameras is the same as I've seen when the tracking is
mis-adjusted on my VHS VCRs. Does anyone know the procedure to adjust the
tracking on this camera? I have searched www.dejanews.com and the web but
have found no information.

[Vern]

There is no tracking adjustment on an 8mm. Your problem probably stems
from a loose or misaligned guide post.

[Kevin Carney]

Sounds like loose tape guides. There is a lot of information out
there about it. The set screw loosens and the guides back out.
You will need to put in a known good tape & adjust the guides.
Then tighten set screws and nail polish them to prevent loosening.
Regards, Kevin
On Thu, 31 Dec 1998 12:55:35 -0800, "Tim" <tn...@nospamblackcat.org>

[Dennis Viereck]

There are no tracking adjustments to this camcorder. The 8 MM format uses 4
ATF signals (Auto Tracking FIX) that are recorded on to the tape using the
video heads.
What usually happens on this camcorder is the entry and exit tape guides come
loose and cause the tape to enter or exit the video drum assembly at the wrong
height. This causes 1 or more thin horizontal lines of snow someting called
tracking lines. If the lines are concentarted at the top, The entrance guide
is normally at fault, If the line are on the bottom check the exit guides.
There is a set scerw on the bottom of the tape shuttle guide that may require
tightening. You are going to need som very small tools to do the. like a .71mm
hex driver fo instance..
dv

[Tim]

Thank you everyone. Yes, I checked, and the two tape guides are quite loose
and turn freely. I've roughed in their adjustment by successive
approximation, but it's a slow process as the guides are not accessible when
the tape is loaded. The procedure has been to load a tape, view the image,
remove the tape, adjust both rollers 1/4 turn the same direction and
recheck. Once it seemed close I tried making the same adjustment on one
guide at a time. It's close now, but it seems like something I'll need to
have someone with the proper test equipment set correctly.

Is there a procedure I can use that does not involve test equipment if I
work with a known good tape? If not, can I look at the video signal on a
scope to make a measurement of some type?

This unit also has no audio from the microphone, or the external input.
Audio plays fine from a tape, but neither records nor passes from the
microphone to the audio output. Are there any common problems with units of
this vintage?

I'd like to repair this unit as the picture seems superior to that which
I've seen on current 8mm (not Hi8) units.

BTW, checking with Sony, this camera was manufactured around 1986 and never
sold in the USA.

Dennis Viereck wrote in message <368D3419...@dxnet.com>...

[Nigel Cook]

> I have an older Sony camcorder, model CCD-V30 (8mm) that appears to have a
> tracking problem. Tearing on the picture displayed when playing tapes
> recorded on other cameras is the same as I've seen when the tracking is
> mis-adjusted on my VHS VCRs. Does anyone know the procedure to adjust the
> tracking on this camera? I have searched www.dejanews.com and the web but
> have found no information.
>
>

I have a service / technical manual for the CCD V30
Please contact phone or e-mail me at
Diverse Devices,Southampton,England;telephone (+44) (-0)1703 584680
(Shop stocking obscure/obsolete components,second hand test equipment,schematics etc)
Postal: 75 Priory Rd,St Denys,Southampton,England SO17 2JQ.
email div...@tcp.co.uk
repair briefs and hints/tips on homepage http://homepages.tcp.co.uk/~diverse/
regards, Nigel