My camcorder will only record in 10 second intervals

Here is a video explaining this problem, hope it helps.

Hi - This is the most common problem with film camcorders. The heads are dirty. you need to get yourself a head cleaning cassette and carefully follow the directions. Since it sounds like you haven't cleaned it in a while or at all would give it a second pass with the cleaning cassette.


Analog camcorders in general specify that the heads should be cleaned every 10-15 hrs.of use. It's possible it's another problem but unlikely and this is a cheap way to find out.


Good Luck and thanks for visiting Fix Ya.


Mikeywaf

You may try the following troubleshooting steps:
Remove the battery of the Camcorder for one minute and re-insert the battery to check whether it works.
You may try resetting the Camcorder by pressing the RESET button located on it.
You may also check whether the issue occurs for all the tapes.
If the issue occurs with all the Tapes then it seems that internal parts of the Camcorder are malfunctioning.
Hence, the Camcorder requires service.

Do you really mean Hi8 tapes? This camcorder (Sony DCR-HC42) accepts only miniDV tapes.

I have the same problem. If I remove the battery for a few seconds, then replace the battery and wait about 5 seconds, the tape compartment closes.

Hi,
I assume that you can see live view to record on mini dv cassette but can't see recorded image in playback.

Let me know when you playback mini dv cassette, does time counter run time intervals or stays blank on LCD / eye finder?

If this happens, you have dirty / clogged video heads in camera and need to use good quality mini dv head cleaning cassette to clean heads. This will resolve problem.

Need further help, let me know please.
Thank you.

I have the same problem.

Use a Sony head cleaning tape they work perfectly and you let them run there 10 second corse. Then your sharp will run perfectly...

I had the same problem and solved it by removing the battery to allow the camera to reset. Worked fine after that.