My sony hi8 Handycam TRV 138 gives me a message reinsert tape What is wrong? do it need repair

it seams that it has a usb streaming /connection feature..so all you need its a driver and a cable to connect it to a computer ..
http://videodrivers.es/analog-8mm-hi8-camcorders-version-10-cd-mavica-camera-version-10-cyber-shot-cameras-versi/download-110.html
all I found its a driver for hi8 camcorders but it seams that is for windows 2000 ...anyway some drivers work on xp just fine even if they were build for 2K ...its worth a try ...if not ..you can get a alder cheap computer and keep it with 2000 ( if we dont find the xp driver ) ...just for downloading and operating this camcorder...

hi i hv a same model can u email wen u get a solution [email protected].

tape head is damaged. sometimes the internals unwind on the head if not done properly.

I think I replied you before...

This is mechanical problem of Take Up Reel section and system control chip doesn't get reel pulse and you see reinsert tape message (error message)

Repair of this mechanism is delicate work and prior experience does matter here. If you have camera repair knowledge and experience, you should check take-up reel section in camera mechanism.

Good Luck.

The error code is part of a self diagnosis feature of your cam. This particular code refers to something being wrong which you can fix yourself. The steps you should take, involve removing tape, and reinserting. removing power adapter plug and reinserting, remove battery pack and reinsert...
power down before each step, and power up again to check working status. The result of these checks should allow you to narrow down the problem.

You may have to look at trying a new battery, or replacing the cassette, or replacing power cord, or you just had not properly hooked something up, or the cassette wasn't properly seated.

These codes and their meaning can be found in your user guide, or manual. Good Luck!

I also have this problem, with a SONY DCR-TRV480E PAL. The problem is when I insert the cassette it reads on screen that "re-insert the cassette"

I have a sony handycam ccd-trv 308 hi8 analog camcorder and I was trying to transfer videos from it to my computer. However, when I plug the S-video cable to the handycam and my computer, nothing happens. Does my computer require a driver to recognize the handycam because I cannot find any in the sites of sony for my handycam's model. Or am I using the wrong wire?

Dirty video head! Playback newly opened blank tape for five minutes, after that eject, reinsert, playback then eject again five times, these will serve as your video head cleaner, never use "video head cleaning cassette tape" for it will only damage your camera. Most camera has built in video head cleaner installed inside and activates only when you insert, initial play/rec, and ejects a tape. If the problem is still there you need pro fix then.[:0)

The camcorder most likely is not detecting the tape, you have a bad sensor and these sensors all come on a flex type board and the flex board is mounted on the chassis surface. This will mean that the entire mechanism will meed to be diassembled, and is a very big and costly job. My opinion is that this repair will run you abut 250 to 300 bucks and this camcorder is not worth this as new camcorders are under 200 bucks. Good Luck

Just below, they noted you don't put a tape in the TRV... Otherwise it outsmarts you.