Christmas Morning Rapidly Approaching--PLEASE HELP A GEEK

[fpneurodoc]

I have a Sony DCR-TRV103 Camcorder that has worked great to record all our previous Christmas mornings. This year hangs in the balance. I retrieved the camera and noticed that when I put it in playback mode it skips. I've checked other tapes, cleaned it with the tape Sony provided, tried every menu setting...all to no avail. Any idea what would be causing it to have a millisecond pause every few seconds?

[doctorhardware]

It sounds like a possible power problem, try using the camcorder with the power supply attached.

[fpneurodoc]

Tried that...

I have it plugged in to the wall and have recharged all the batteries we own. Still no luck. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

[RFBurns]

When you say it skips...are the tapes you are using old or perhaps damaged in some way?

Cleaning tapes work well, except when they get old or sit for long periods of time. If you have tried a new cleaning tape and the problem presists, it is most likely you have a clogged head situation due to a bad tape going across the video drum and lodging tape particles onto the head to which the cleaning tape cannot remove.

The unit will require a professional cleaning. Find a repair shop or Sony dealer with a repair shop and have the camera cleaned and checked out.

Also purchase new tapes if you have not already. Maxell or Sony tapes are the best to use in the Sony camcorders.