Topic: Sony DAT Repairs (PCM-M1 and others)

[kkm]

I'm looking for some help with Sony PCM-M1 or other type of Sony DAT repairs:

When I put a tape in my unit it tries to cue the tape (display reads "load") but can't.  Occasionally it will load the tape but usually the machine tries and then reads "unload" and will then proceed to go through through the load-->unload cycle until I quit the process by pressing the door release.  When the problem first occured the actual tape was getting stuck in the guts of the DAT

Has anyone had any experience with this type of problem? The unit has very low hours but I may have bumped it a little hard while doing some field recording recently thus causing the problem.   If you have had this type of problem do you know what it is and how much repairs may run?  Could it be a simple adjustment of some type?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[rokpunk]

send it to paul plotnick at pro digital in PA.

[shaggy]

You have a cracked or worn capstan gear.  These pieces are made of plastic and break or wear easily if the deck is mishandled (either by physical abuse or tape misloads).  I had this happen about 8 months ago....got it repaired by SONY Service Station here in Tokyo for 188,000yen (about US$165), my LCD was all fucked up too (from the deck being taken to Fuji Rock for three days in the rain)...they replaced that and the button controller board for 100,000yen in the same repair($85), they also did some other things like replaced all the inputs and output jacks, cleaned and aligned the transport and head, and gave me all my used parts back, the damn thing had a 22 point checklist and a technician hand stamped document.  Prodigital does it but I think the repair is on the order of $200 (which includes cleaning and alignment).  So, you got two options.....


Prodigital in PA:

http://www.prodigitalinc.com/

Sony Service Station (Sony's service department) does it in Akihabara (Tokyo), I do not know how to deal with them if you are overseas):

http://www.sony.jp/support/p-audio/contents/info/index.html


I could do it for you, but shipping will be at least $15-20 each way, including insurance.

[kkm]

cool, thanks for your help!