Common Failures

The tape is stuck in the camcorder!

Do not try to remove tape.  There is usually a mechanical breakdown for the tape to be stuck.  The tape could 
also be wrapped in the tape guides and around the heads and is best left to the technicians to remove.  
Many of the newer camcorders must be taken completely apart to get the tape out, not just taking off the 
cassette door.  

Sometimes, it can be tape failure which will break the camcorder or VCR.  The removal procedure is still the
same and the technician can tell you if the tape was the culprit of the breakdown.



The Dew light/sensor is on (for no reason)

Many brands have this feature and when activated the camcorder has no functions.  Usually it is not the dew
sensor that needs replacement but something else that is causing the failure.  On average the repair cost 
is $129.00 to $154.00.



My camcorder / VCR / TV-Combo is eating the tape !

Most common reason for this is maintenance issues.  New rubber, a cleaning, lube, possible alignments are what is usually needed.  Depending on the time needed for to correct the problem, it can be a minor to minimum repair. Camcorders $40 - $100, VCR's $20 - $40, TV-Combo's $60 - $85.



My DVD / CD player spins but won't read-play the disk !

Could be as simple as a cleaning.  The most economical idea is to puchase a cleaning disk.  Cleans hundreds of times, works in all dvd/cd players and costs less than a cleaning by the technician.
If the cleaning disk did not work, the next likely cause is weak optics.  If you've spent less than $100 on the equipment, it probably is not worth a repair.  
Also, many can not be repaired due to the fact that there are no replacement parts available.  They can be sent back to the manufacturer for a swap with refurbished equipement.
Always keep the owners manual because it will have the telephone # / website to the manuafacturer where they can let you know by your Model # what is what.