MiniDV playback on any DV camera?

[Boppo]

I'm searching for a substitute for my Sony DCR-PC105E (not working, error code). I'm only going to use the new camera for playback of 203 miniDV tapes. I'm going to transfer the recordings to my PC. When this is done I won't have further use for the new camera.

I'm looking at some old Sony cameras:
DCR-PC3E (year 1999)
DCR-PC4E (year 2000)
DCR-PC8E (year 2002)
DCR-PC110E (year 2000)
DCR-TRV19E (year 2003)

As I'm only going to use the cameras for playback of my tapes, does it matter which model I choose? If so, which model would you recommend?

Sidenote: I find it strange that my DCR-PC105E (from 2003) is three years newer than DCR-PC110E. The logical would be that a higher model number is newer.

[latreche34]

For 200 tapes you need a camcorder in great condition, I would get the newest model possible so that way the electronics are not too old, See if you can buy from an original owner who knows the history and how much he used it, You want video heads in very good condition if you have that many tapes.

[Boppo]

Thanks for your quick answer, latreche34.

Technically all the models would work for playback of miniDV even though the tapes were recorded with a newer camera?

The newest model would be DCR-PC8E or DCR-TRV19E.
The problem is that most sellers write that the cameras works great even though they doesn't.

A MiniDV player would be an alternative. But they seems to be very expensive.

[latreche34]

miniDV tapes can be played back by any miniDV camcorder, there is only one version before Sony moved to miniHDV, I would stay away from consumer decks and pro recorders, They got used too much, unlike a camcorder that is rarely used and put back in the drawer.
HDV camcorders is another option since they do play miniDV tapes.
There is full size cassette of DV and HDV but this is not a concern to you since you have the mini tapes.

[aramkolt]

What's the error code that the PC105E is giving? Many common error codes are likely just connectors that need to be reseated inside. There's some risk of possibly damaging things while you're in there, but sounds like you are otherwise just going to toss the camera anyway, so might be worth a try.

[Boppo]

I won't throw it away, maybe sell it as a repair object.
The errors have been C:31:23 to C:31:30.
https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr...html#post98821

I've tried the solution with white lock pin on black rubber roller inside the camera. Many people had success with slamming the camera. It didn't solve my problem.

I havn't tried to reseat the connectors because I don't know how to open the camera so I can reach the connectors. 12voltvids on YouTube shows how to open some cameras, but none very similar to PC105E.