Video camera repairs

[TVR-NUT]

Help. My video camera is having a few problems at the moment and I was wondering if anyone could recommend possible reasonably priced places to have it repaired at. Not sure if it would be worth having it done though, as it's a Sony MiniDv model, which is approx 3 to 4 years old. So do I go for a repair, or do I try and save up and replace it for a new one? Fault is intermittent by the way.

[GetCarter]

Is the fault 'lines' across the screen? (Most common fault). If so, use a tape head cleaner. Often works.

[TVR-NUT]

Kind of - basically you get 'stripes' or 'lines' horizontally across the screen in playback mode, which if squashed together would form a still picture. Also it doesn't seem to be recording sound at normal levels. Will try a head cleaner to see if that works.

[GetCarter]

Yep that's the stuff. I've cured the same problem twice - cleaning tapes are about £5 - but the heads won't last forever.

[TVR-NUT]

Cheers Steve. Haven't seen cleaning tapes for a fiver though. Cheapest I've seen so far is £16 in Jessops Any ideas where I can get them cheaper?

Edited by TVR-NUT on Thursday 26th February 12:39

[GetCarter]

Someone should burn Jessops to the ground. Here you go: three blank tapes PLUS a cleaning tape £4.89

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-MINI-DV-TAPES-PACK-OF-3...

Loads more on e bay.

[TVR-NUT]

Ta mate