SONY DIGITAL CAMCORDER - DSR-PD170 - PD170P - PD190P - DVCAM – SERVICE MODE – SELF DIAGNOSTICS – CASSETTE FORCE EJECT – PASSWORD RECOVERY – DIGITAL CAMERA REPAIR AND SERVICE

SONY DIGITAL CAMCORDER - DSR-PD170 - PD170P - PD190P - DVCAM – SERVICE mode – self diagnostics – Cassette force eject – password recovery – Digital camera repair and service

Category: Digital Camera Repair and Service 

Contents of this article 

• Service mode access
• Force eject of the cassette 
• Power supply during repair 

SONY DSR-PD170 - PD170P - PD190P

SERVICE MODE
ADJUSTMENT REMOTE COMMANDER
The adjustment remote commander is used for changing the calculation coefficient in signal processing, EVR data, etc. The adjustment remote commander performs bi-directional communication with the unit using the remote commander signal line (LANC). The resultant data of this bi-directional communication is written in the non-volatile memory.
Using the adjustment remote commander
1) Connect the adjustment remote commander to the LANC terminal.
2) Set the HOLD switch of the adjustment remote commander to “HOLD” (SERVICE position). If it has been properly connected, the LCD on the adjustment remote commander will display

3) Operate the adjustment remote commander as follows.
# Changing the page
The page increases when the EDIT SEARCH+ button is pressed, and decreases when the EDIT SEARCH– button is pressed.

Changing the address
The address increases when the FF  button is pressed, and decreases when the REW button is pressed. There are altogether 256 addresses, from 00 to FF.
# Changing the data (Data setting) The data increases when the PLAY (N) button is pressed, and decreases when the STOP  button is pressed. There are altogether 256 data, from 00 to FF.
# Writing the adjustment data The PAUSE button must be pressed to write the adjustment data (B, C, D, F, 8 page) in the nonvolatile memory. (The new adjusting data will not be recorded in the nonvolatile memory if this step is not performed.)
4) After completing all adjustments, turn off the main power supply once.

Precautions upon using the adjustment remote commander
Mishandling of the adjustment remote commander may erase the correct adjustment data at times. To prevent this, it is recommended that all adjustment data be noted down before beginning adjustments and new adjustment data after each adjustment.

DATA PROCESS
The calculation of the DDS display and the adjustment remote commander display data (hexadecimal notation) are required for obtaining the adjustment data of some adjustment items. In this case, after converting the hexadecimal notation to decimal notation, calculate and convert the result to hexadecimal notation, and use it as the adjustment data.

SERVICE MODE items 

Setting the Test Mode

Page D  -  Address 10

Data	Function
00	Normal
01	Forced camera power ON
02	Forced VTR power ON
03	Forced camera + VTR power ON
05	Forced memory power ON

# Before setting the data , select page: 0, address: 01, and set data: 01.

# For page D, the data set is recorded in the non-volatile memory by pressing the PAUSE button of the adjustment remote commander. In this case, take note that the test mode will not be exited even when the main power is turned off.
# After completing adjustments/repairs, be sure to return the data of this address to 00, and press the PAUSE button of the adjustment remote commander. Select page: 0, address: 01, and set data: 00.

Emergence Memory Address

Page C -- Address F4 to FF

Address	Contents
F4	EMG code when first error occurs
F6	Upper: MSW code when shift starts when first error occurs Lower: MSW code when first error occurs
F7	Lower: MSW code to be moved when first error occurs
F8	EMG code when second error occurs
FA	Upper: MSW code when shift starts when second error occurs Lower: MSW code when second error occurs
FB	Lower: MSW code to be moved when second error occurs
FC	EMG code when last error occurs
FE	Upper: MSW code when shift starts when last error occurs Lower: MSW code when last error occurs
FF	Lower: MSW code to be moved when last error occurs

When no error occurs in this unit, data “00” is written in the above addresses (F4 to FF). when first error occurs in the unit, the data corresponding to the error is written in the first emergency address (F4 to F7). In the same way, when the second error occurs, the data corresponding to the error is written in the second emergency address (F8 to FB). Finally, when the last error occurs, the data corresponding to the error is written in the last emergency address (FC to FF).

Note: After completing adjustments, be sure to initialize the data of addresses F4 to FF to “00”.
Initializing method:
1) Select page: 0, address: 01, and set data: 01.
2) Select page: 3, address: 01, set data: 37, and press the PAUSE button.
3) Select page: 0, address: 01, and set data: 00.

EMG Code (Emergency Code)
Codes corresponding to the errors which occur are written in addresses F4, F8 and FC. The type of error indicated by the code are shown in the following table

Code	Emergency Type
00	No error
10	Loading motor emergency during loading
11	Loading motor emergency during unloading
22	T reel emergency during normal rotation
23	S reel emergency during normal rotation
24	T reel emergency (Short circuit between S reel terminal and T reel terminal)
30	FG emergency at the start up of the capstan
40	FG emergency at the start up of the drum
42	FG emergency during normal rotation of the drum

MSW Code

MSW when errors occur:
Information on MSW (mode SW) when errors occur
MSW when movement starts:
Information on MSW when movements starts when the mechanism position is moved (When the L motor is moved)
MSW of target of movement:
Information on target MSW of movement when the mechanism position is moved

Position	Code	Contents
EJECT	7	Position at which the cassette component lock is released, at the farthest unload side mechanically at which the mechanism can move no further in the UNLOAD direction.
BL	F	BLANK code, at the boundary between codes.
USE	5	EJECT completion position. When the cassette is ejected, the mechanism will stop at this position. Cassette IN standby. The guide will start protruding out as the mechanism moves towards the LOAD position.
SR	D	Code during loading.
HL	9	Guide loading are performed here.
LE	E	Current limiter turned off.
STOP	C	Stop position in the loading state. The pinch roller separates, the tension regulator returns, and the brake is imposed on both reels.
RP	B	PB, REC, CUE, PAUSE positions. When pinch roller is pressed, and the tension regulator is ON, the mechanism is operating at this position in modes in which normal images are shown.
REW	3	REW position. The tension regulator is half on. This position is not used except for the REW mode.

POWER SUPPLY DURING REPAIRS

In this unit, about 10 seconds after power is supplied to the battery terminal using the regulated power supply (8.4V), the power is shut off so that the unit cannot operate.
These following two methods are available to prevent this. Take note of which to use during repairs.
Method 1.
Connect the servicing remote commander RM-95 (J-6082-053-B) to the LANC jack, and set the commander switch to the “ADJ” side.
Method 2.
Use the DC IN terminal. (Use the AC power adaptor.)

TO TAKE OUT A CASSETTE WHEN NOT EJECT (FORCE EJECT)

1. Remove the upper handle block assembly.
2. Remove the cabinet (L) assembly.
3. Remove the mechanism deck (Including VC-358D board and DD-216D board).
4. Remove DD-216D board from the mechanism deck (Including VC-358D board).
5. Remove the CN022 (27P 0.3 mm) of VC-358D board.
6. Supply +4.5V from the DC power supply to the loading motor and unload with a pressing the cassette compartment.

What to do when a user forgets a password
This camcorder has the forced log insertion function. A password is inputted, and this function is set up. When this function was set up, this camcorder doesn’t move if the memory stick which memorize a correct logo isn’t inserted. To release the forced logo function, the correct password must be input.
This password is memorized in the IC1105 (EEPROM) on VC-358D board. Therefore, when a user forgets the password, replace the IC1105. This IC1105 memorizes the HRS METER data (Hour meter data: page A, address 00 to 13), too. Therefore, replace the IC1105 in the following order to copy the HRS METER data.
Replacing procedure:
1) Note down the data of page A, address 00 to 13.
2) Replace IC1105 (EEPROM) on VC-358D board.
3) To page A, address 00 to 13, input the data noted down.

SELF-DIAGNOSIS FUNCTION
Self-diagnosis Function
When problems occur while the unit is operating, the self-diagnosis function starts working, and displays on the viewfinder, LCD screen or LCD window what to do. This function consists of two display; self-diagnosis display and service mode display.

Self-diagnosis Display
When problems occur while the unit is operating, the counter of the viewfinder, LCD screen or LCD window consists of an alphabet and 4-digit numbers, which blinks at 3.2 Hz. This 5-character display indicates the “repaired by:”, “block” in which the problem occurred, and “detailed code” of the problem.