[Scoodle]

As the title really!

My Panasonic NV-DS35 DV camcorder has been showing this intermittent problem, indicated by the F02 and F05 reports, for over a year now.

When I finally get it to behave - usually by ejecting and reinserting the tape a few times - it then often APPEARS to record ok but when I come to look at the recording, the image appears on the screen as a bizarre series of around a dozen broad horizontal bands with each band showing, alternatively, the new recording and the previously-recorded one. Yep, I can watch both at once - ok, it's not very helpful...

A thorough search on the web has revealed this to be a well known problem for these cameras (and for the 55 model). However, the only source of actual repair advice I found was available only to professional repair engineers who had to register with their company name to gain access - rats.

The camera is a few years old, so I'm willing to try a bit of DIY as long as I have a good pointer on how to proceed. I should add that I'm an ex-Technology teacher, so I'm fairly handy with my fingers!

Thanks for any advice.

[Scoodle]

Aaargh!

Sorry - trying to get this thread up to the top again before it disappears into the ether without any suggestions!

Any ideas would be very welcomed. Thanks.

[JefUK]

These faults are usually caused by problems with the tape transport mechanism and, unfortunately, setting up the mechanism up is not a DIY job. It may even be caused by a broken mechanical component.

See "Emergency Error Codes & Faults" page here for more information (and a good Panasonic service agent).

[Scoodle]

Hi Jeff.

Many thanks for the reply. It confirms the info I've been gleaning from the 'web.

I suspect nothing is actually 'broken', as such, as the fault is intermittent and the machine can usually be persuaded to behave after some gentle massage.

I've also discovered that it's a most common fault with these models, with one website having repair details made out to help tackle this specific problem. Unfortunately, it's only available to service peeps even tho' it's FOC

I'll be looking for a new camcorder in the next year, and I'm fairly adept with my fingers, so would be prepared to risk an investigation if I had more guidelines.

Anybody out there with the info?!

Thanks.

[Scoodle]

Hi again, Jef.

An update: thanks for your excellent link - Steve was very helpful and was able to give a likely repair cost based on my info. He suspects the main board connector.

Since it's an intermittent fault, I'll try and tolerate it until I can save up for an HD recorder, but if it goes completely kaput I'll send it to him for repair!

Very helpful - many thanks.

[JefUK]

Glad you found the link of use. I have used Steve several times for camcorder repairs, he offers a good service and advice.

I had a Panasonic with exaclty the same symptoms as yours and it turned out to be a broken part in the mechanism, but even with a broken part it would often work but then fail with F02 and F05 error codes. It appears that it was probably caused by using the camera too quickly after moving the camera from an air conditioned environment into tropical heat and high humidity.

[Scoodle]

That's interesting, Jeff, thanks.

Having seen the new Panasonic HDC-SD1 available for just £420 thanks to this forum, I think I'll try and hold out for as long as possible!

I might have to change my mind if it packs up on me tho'...

It's good to know there's someone I can rely on if needed - Steve left a good impression.

[simonw2008]

I had the same problem last year. Had to keep taking the tape out and back in then it worked. Then it started not recording at all when it had the rec on and the rec time was on OK.

So I missed a number of events and was so anoyed I threw it hard at a wall - and its been fine ever since - not joking!

[Scoodle]

Ok, tried that, Simon.

Now it's in 5 bits... Who do I send the bill to?

Sounds like your machine was suffering from a bad main board connector - as explained to me by 'Steve' below - rather than an actual broken part. Seems like this part can develop a high resistance connection - a tarnishing of the push-in connectors - over time, and is a 'know' problem. I guess you've found one way of sorting it...

Mine is still working intermittently. Once I buy a replacement, I'll tackle a repair...

[dave16]

[FONT=Arial]Re NV-DS 35 and DS 55 camcorders

I purchased the service manual from manualzone.com - don't buy the Service bulletin "Error code F02, Error code F05" as it's no real use - and used it to guide me in disassembling the camcorder.

Once I had removed the front cover - 2 screws at front, 1 at the side and 1 on the top and the screen side - 4 screws on the bottom, 2 in the battery compartment, 1 on the top and 1 at the front - I found that the ribbon cable from the motor controls was loose. Once reconnected and the connector latch closed, and reassembled, the camcorder started working OK again.[/FONT]

[Scoodle]

What a hero, Dave! To find this thread after all this time!

That's just the incentive I need to tackle the job - I'd been making do with giving the machine a few good slaps...

Great stuff - many thanks.