Model 129  (160-0829)        Troubleshooting           Faxback Doc. # 6301

Before calling for service, check the following troubleshooting table.

POWER

SYMPTOM      POSSIBLE CAUSE                   SUGGESTED SOLUTION

No Power.    Safety devices are functioning.  Disconnect the AC adapter
                                              cord, and then plug it into
                                              the wall outlet again.

             The battery is not charged.      Charge the battery
                                              sufficiently.

             The power source unit is not     Connect the power source
             correctly connected.             unit correctly

Power        Depleted battery.                Use a fully charged
switches off                                  battery.
soon after
coming on.   Dew in camcorder.                Wait until dew evaporates.

RECORDING

Power on     Lens cap on.                     Remove the lens cap.
but no
image in     Power switch is set to VCR.      Set the Power switch to
viewfinder.                                   CAMERA.

Cannot.      The camera is set to VCR mode.   Set the power switch to
record.                                       CAMERA

Poor color   TV not properly adjusted.        Adjust the TV.
when tape
is played
on a
TV/monitor.  White balance not adjusted.      Adjust the white balance.

Fuzzy        Poor lighting.                   Apply additional or correct
picture.                                      temperature lighting

             Dust or other foreign matter on  Clean the lens.
             lens.

             Not properly focused.            Adjust the focus.

Viewfinder   The shutter speed setting is     Set FULL AUTO switch to ON.
picture is   improper.                        Lower the shutter speed.
too dark.

PLAYBACK

No image     Improperly connected to TV.      Reconnect properly.
appears.
             The camcorder is set to AV       Set AV IN/EDIT/AV Out to AV
             input mode.                      OUT.

             TV's channel or TV/Video switch  Set TV to channel 3 or
             is not properly set.             channel 4 if the RF
                                              converter is used.
                                              Set TV's TV/Video switch
                                              to the video position if
                                              the A/V input is used.

Poor color.  White balance not properly       Make sure the white
             adjusted during recording.       balance is properly
                                              adjusted during
                                              recording.

             TV not properly adjusted.        Adjust the TV.

Camcorder    Tracking not properly adjusted.  Adjust the tracking.
does not
play back
in color on
your TV.     Old or worn tape.                Use a new tape

Broken       Insufficient battery capacity.   Recharge the battery.
image.

Cassette     Cassette is not right side up    Check cassette positioning
cannot be    or is backwards.                 and reinsert.
inserted.

             Another cassette is in the unit. Press EJECT and remove.

Cassette     Unit is in camera recording      Press REC START/STOP to
will not     mode.                            stop the tape and try
eject;                                        again.
Power will
not turn off

No tape      Tape is already completely       Rewind to desired point.
movement     wound.
in fast-
forward
mode.

No tape      Tape is already completely       Fast-forward to desired
movement in  wound.                           point.
rewind mode.

Notes:

  This unit is equipped with a microprocessor.  Its performance could be
  adversely affected by external noise or interference.  If this should
  happen, turn off the power and unplug this unit from the power source.
  Use a different power source, or resume use when the interference
  stops.

  If the viewfinder's display appears to malfunction, turn off the
  camcorder and disconnect the power source.  Remove the clock/
  calendar's lithium battery  holder, and then re-insert it.  Reconnect
  the power source, and turn on the power again.  When the characters in
  the viewfinder become normal, set the date and time, and then resume
  operation.

  If E appears in the viewfinder next to the counter display, the
  camcorder is malfunctioning.  Contact your local Radio Shack.

(BR/all-07/13/94)