Unlike some digital camcorders, which have an internal hard drive used for video storage, the Sony Handycam TRV280 Digital 8 camcorder uses video cassettes for storing video. While it has many of the same issues present in tapeless camcorders, the TRV280 can also develop issues due to its use of tape. If you have trouble with your Sony Handycam TRV280 during filming or playback, you should consider both the camcorder itself and the cassette compartment as the source of the problem.
Instructions
1. Check the battery if the camcorder won't turn on. To check the battery, remove the battery and replace it with a charged battery if you have an extra. If not, plug the AC adapter into the camera and plug the adapter into an electrical outlet. If the camera works with the adapter, the battery needs charged or replaced.
2. Reset the camera if it comes on but none of the functions work. First, remove the battery pack or unplug the AC adapter, wait for a moment and plug them back in, which does a "soft" reset of the camera and may get it working again. If it still doesn't work, use a thin, sturdy object to poke into the "Reset" hole on the camera, resetting the camera to its original factory conditions.
3. Change the setting of the "A.Shut Off" function if the camera keeps powering off when you are not using it. To change the setting, press the "Menu" button, roll the dial selector down to "Others" and press the dial in to display the "Others" menu. Choose "A.Shut Off" from the "Others" menu and choose the "Never" setting.
4. Remove the cassette from the camcorder and allow the camcorder to sit with the cassette door open for an hour or more if the tape does not roll during filming or playback. According to the Sony Handycam TRV 280Camcorder manual, this issue can be caused by condensation forming in the camera.
5. Clean the heads of the camera if video footage captured by the camera has flaws or you experience video or sound issues during playback. The manual for the Sony TR280 lists the Sony V8-25CLD cleaning cassette as the proper cleaning cassette for the camcorder. To clean with the tape, insert it as you would a standard tape, put the camera in "Playback" mode, press "Play" and allow the tape to run for 10 seconds.
Tags: Sony Handycam, adapter into, cleaning cassette, during filming, during filming playback