I have sony SXRD XB1 and HDR-HC5 (just got it). I started recording on a regular miniDV tape which I had from before (i got it a couple of years ago but never used it before, so it is new). When I tried to play back what I recorded in 1080i on TV (using component and HDMI) i would only get one frame of what i recorded then few seconds of blank then another frame...etc. Same thing happened when i played back what i recorded on the camcorder LCD (noticed that camcorder would skip few seconds causing the blank screen)... am i missing something here or is this camcorder damaged?
checked the manual but no help there...i would appreciate your help

thanks

Not too sure I understand your situation. How did you have old content if you just got your HC5? Did you have one before? Was it a Sony HDV? If not, that's most probably your problem. While the HDV format is supposedly a "standard", it's actually easy to confuse a camcorder with a tape that's coming from another maker.

Otherwise, it may be because your camcorder's heads may be gunked. Especially if you switched from different kinds of tapes on it. Some miniDV tapes are using a powder lubricant while the other ones use an oil-based lubricant. If you mixed the 2 tapes without cleaning your camcorder heads, there will be a residue on it that could interfere with the use of the camcorder. I suggest you clean your heads with the cleaning kit that came with your HC5 and give it another try. Though it's unlikely that if you just got your camcorder.

If a cleaning doesn't help, and it's not just a HDV compat issue, you might need to get the camcorder serviced.

the tape i used is fuji make..never opened until yesterday .. i used same brand for my 2 yr old STANDARD miniDV camcorder , this is the first HD. From what u r saying, this camcorder will take only sony minidv tapes????
my problem basically is "freezing" or skipping. iit will record but when i play back in HD format it will show me a frame, then would freeze and i can see at that time on the timer on the camcorder lcd skipping like 10 seconds at once then it would show me another frame and the story continues... i'm going to try another brand of tapes... thanks for the help

No, you don't have to get Sony tapes... you just don't want to liberally change type of tapes without cleaning your heads.

Here are a few articles that's got some more information on the subject:
http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showpost.php?p=9543&postcount=4
http://thedvshow.com/faq-pro/index.php?action=article&cat_id=017&id=194
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DV (at the end)

It would be worth trying another tape, but not a Sony one unless you clean your heads first. But if you get the same behavior, you may have a defective camcorder in your hands. It sure shouldn't be doing this.

i think the first link explains what i have: a drop out..i think the clogged tape head can explain the problem...i tried 2 brand new fuji tapes with same problem... i got the hdr-hc5 as an open box from an authorized local dealer, paid only $250 for it... i think i will be returning it today... they told me no restocking fee.. do you think sony will replace it if i try calling?
thank you for the help....

I doubt you'll be able to get a replacement from Sony if you bought an opened box. Did you try to clean the heads? It takes about 10 seconds to do. If cleaning doesn't help, get your money back and run. :)

I read somewhere that you need higher grade tapes for HD. Lower grade DV tapes are ok, kind of, but your experience may be that "kind of".