My V1U bit the dust yesterday (I've had it less than two months). Put a new blank tape in and got Error C31:30 ... tape won't come out. Called Sony this morning and when I reported the error, the tech guy couldn't tell me what was wrong just that "it's one of the errors that require you to send the camera in."

15 business days turn around!!!! so it's back to the HC1 and XL2 for awhile (*sigh*).

Other than the low mike audio (which I mentioned several times on this board, as have others) the V1 has done and EXCELLENT job for us. I shot four great hours of video this Labor Day weekend for two TV shows... thank goodness, I got all my footage.

Speaking of the audio, since they will have my cam for 15 days, I asked Sony to check it as well... will post results.

did I mention (*sigh*)? ... I miss my cam already and UPS hasn't even got here to pick it up.

what bothers me most is the 15 business day turnaround... just how many problems are they having?

(*sigh*)

--Ralph

but Saturday, I got a wonderful 2-hour interview with a World War II veteran and Silver Star winner who was a Japanese POW for most of the war. At the end of the war, when the camp was liberated, he took the Samurai sword from the camp commandant... he still has it and is NOT ready to give it back (the Japanese have been trying to repatriate these swords). ... a truly wonderful, powerful, and very emotional accounting... and the V1U captured it grandly.

Frame grab attached.

Did I mention I miss my V1U?

(*sigh*)

--Ralph

and Sunday we shot some more waterfalls for our "Waterfalls of the Southern Highlands" series.

Attached, a grab of Whiteoak Creek Falls high up in the mountains of Yancey County, North Carolina in the Blue Ridge.

Did I mention I miss my V1U?

(*sigh*)

It's doing a MIGHTY FINE job (except for the audio... luckily waterfalls are LOUD<g>).

--Ralph

Ralph,
Sorry to hear about your V1. How will the WWII vet interview be used?

Ralph,
Sorry to hear about your V1. How will the WWII vet interview be used?

Thanks, Lee... Interview is the pilot for a new show.

--Ralph

Ralph What format did you shoot the footage in?

Ralph What format did you shoot the footage in?

1080, 60i, Brian

I can relate to your story. I had to send my V1 in for repair in June and it was a L-O-N-G 2 weeks, closer to 3 actually. I sent it to the Teaneck, NJ facility and while they did a great job fixing it (I had an unresponsive iris control) the lack of communication is tough. They never told me they received it, never gave me an idea of how long it would take, what was wrong or when it WAS fixed, any indication it was done and it would ship, no shipping info.....nada. I ended up calling 2 weeks in, found out they DID have it, and it needed parts. That's the only contact I had! Then about a week later it showed up via fed-ex!

Very frustrating customer service.

But....it was fixed and was covered under warranty. Good luck, hope you have a better customer service then I did!

Ralph,

Off topic but the waterfall shot looks like you used a wide angle adaptor, which one do you use? The Vet looks like the stock lens, no attachment correct?

I can't find a WA that is satisfactory to me. The Century I had was WAY to distorted and blurred. Your's looks a little better but I'm wondering what one it is?

Ralph,

Off topic but the waterfall shot looks like you used a wide angle adaptor, which one do you use? The Vet looks like the stock lens, no attachment correct?

I can't find a WA that is satisfactory to me. The Century I had was WAY to distorted and blurred. Your's looks a little better but I'm wondering what one it is?


Thanks, Paul... and, yes, my cam is wending it's way Next Day to Teaneck.

I'm a little embarrassed I took that particular frame grab; yes it's a wide angle (and, yes, the first photo was the stock lens). ... The waterfall is from a Raynoc, which works quite well as long as you remember not to push the zoom out too far (as I did in that shot--obviously, it will never see the show<g> since I got lots of other and better footage).

--Ralph

Thanks for the info Ralph, which Raynoc? Also be sure to call on your cam, they WILL NOT call you. However on the plus side, when you call you get an honest to god real human to pick up on the first ring (during business hours), quite refreshing in this day and age!

Thanks for the info Ralph, which Raynoc? Also be sure to call on your cam, they WILL NOT call you. However on the plus side, when you call you get an honest to god real human to pick up on the first ring (during business hours), quite refreshing in this day and age!

Thanks, Paul.

My wide angle is a 0.7 Raynox wideangle, HD-7062PRO.

Overall (for under $200) I consider it a great buy.

Here's a test I posted on Google Video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8914037309791032666

--Ralph

Camera has arrived in Teaneck, NJ and been signed for by Mr. Ruiz.

Now... the waiting begins.

Ralph,

I feel your pain--I went through something with an Apple computer a while back. You'll be back and up and running before you know it. Glad you have a backup camera.

heath

Thanks, Heath.

Yep, backup cameras are GOOD ta have. ;-)

Ralph, I wold really like to view your videos,but every time I try on Googel I get "this video is currently unavalible" . Do you have any on another host? Or do you know why they cant be viewed?

Ralph, I wold really like to view your videos,but every time I try on Googel I get "this video is currently unavalible" . Do you have any on another host? Or do you know why they cant be viewed?

Hi John and thanks for your interest... not sure what the problem might be for you... I get all these fine:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=%22Ralph%27s+Stuff%22

You might check http://ralphwroberts.com ... while some of the videos there are linked to Google or YouTube, some do stream off my server.

--Ralph

Continuing the Saga of the Broken V1 ... five days now without the V1. I am having withdrawal symptoms.

Let us hope the repair elves at the Sony depot in Teaneck, NJ are busily forging new parts to fix my cam.

(*sigh*)

Seven days now without my V1U .... (*shudder*)

It would be nice if Sony was a bit faster on repair.

--Ralph

in the continuing saga...

I broke down and called the Sony Service Center today. They answered quickly and were very nice. My camera is there and "being diagnosed." The polite lady said she was told I should call back later in the week for more detailed info.

keeping fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.

--Ralph

I feel, or felt your pain! When I finally called they said they were waiting on parts. About a week later it showed up on my door!

Don't expect a shipping notice.

Wow, I have been watching this thread. I hope you get yours back soon ralph!

I have the HC7 service manual (thanks Dave) and the error means "FG Fault when starting capstan". I'm guessing it's got to be due to the tape drive starting to get faulty.

I have the HC7 service manual (thanks Dave) and the error means "FG Fault when starting capstan". I'm guessing it's got to be due to the tape drive starting to get faulty.

Thanks, Jack ... but that's not too reassuring about the quality of the V1. I've had it less than two months and the usage has been reasonably light.

--Ralph

has anyone posted or ever compiled a sony error message index?

leslie

Just called Sony in New Jersey to check on my V1U.

I'm told they are running behind on repair. My V1 was logged in on the 6th but they will not get to it until late next week (*arrrgh*) and I "might" get it back the week after that.

Pray your V1 does not break, evidently several have.


(did I mention *arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!* ?)

--Ralph

I believe it's a shift in numbers of repair people available, not how many V1's have been repaired. I've got one in for repair now too, having dropped it from a reasonable height. Hoping to see it come home soon.

I believe it's a shift in numbers of repair people available, not how many V1's have been repaired. I've got one in for repair now too, having dropped it from a reasonable height. Hoping to see it come home soon.

OUCH! .... er... do they bounce?

I've had tripods flip over twice on concrete with my HC1 and it's not even scratched. ;-) ... but I did invest in some sandbags.

--Ralph

Thanks, Jack ... but that's not too reassuring about the quality of the V1. I've had it less than two months and the usage has been reasonably light.

--Ralph

Ralph, while I appreciate your frustration having to wait for the camera to be sent back repaired, I'd really not jump on conclusions like this. To me, the quality of the V1 is superb. It feels so solid and confident in your hands... I spent quite a lot of time trying to make up my mind between the V1 and Canon A1; and you know what? The Canon simply felt cheap by comparison! Just take a look on the Canon forum; how many people are reporting incidents of:

- iris ring stopping working
- focus ring stopping working
- camera refusing loading tape
- mic holder falling off
- picture adopting the Van Gough style of colours

etc,etc...

Well, when I was testing the Canon, it just broke down as well. Compared to that, the V1 (and most of Sony products in general) is very high quality indeed!

OUCH! .... er... do they bounce?

I've had tripods flip over twice on concrete with my HC1 and it's not even scratched. ;-) ... but I did invest in some sandbags.

--Ralph

Yes, just like people, cameras bounce when dropped from a height. Unlike people, my camera survived, but my lens has a grind, the mic clip is gone, and some damage to the tape door. it's not a warranty repair. :-)

ALL camcorders from any manufacturer may have problems from time to time. Canon, Sony, Grass Valley, Panasonic, JVC...all have challenges on occasion. The V1 is an exceptional camera in its class, and is used in one of the most difficult environments in the world on a fairly consistent basis (on a crab-ship for Discovery).

Ralph, while I appreciate your frustration having to wait for the camera to be sent back repaired, I'd really not jump on conclusions like this. To me, the quality of the V1 is superb. It feels so solid and confident in your hands... I spent quite a lot of time trying to make up my mind between the V1 and Canon A1; and you know what? The Canon simply felt cheap by comparison! Just take a look on the Canon forum; how many people are reporting incidents of:

- iris ring stopping working
- focus ring stopping working
- camera refusing loading tape
- mic holder falling off
- picture adopting the Van Gough style of colours

etc,etc...

Well, when I was testing the Canon, it just broke down as well. Compared to that, the V1 (and most of Sony products in general) is very high quality indeed!

thanks, Piotr ... yes, I'm just frustrated without the V1, but I dusted off my XL2 today and the video for a quite good 30-minute show, so the old stuff is still there for backup. ;-)

Yes, just like people, cameras bounce when dropped from a height. Unlike people, my camera survived, but my lens has a grind, the mic clip is gone, and some damage to the tape door. it's not a warranty repair. :-)

ALL camcorders from any manufacturer may have problems from time to time. Canon, Sony, Grass Valley, Panasonic, JVC...all have challenges on occasion. The V1 is an exceptional camera in its class, and is used in one of the most difficult environments in the world on a fairly consistent basis (on a crab-ship for Discovery).

I agree, Douglas, and thanks ... once the V1 is back in my hands (or at least mounted on my tripod) I shall once again be happy.

Spot,

Were you skydiving when the V1u dropped?

heath

Yup. I was trying to turn in the harness to shoot someone coming in alongside me, and it wasn't quite secure in my hands. I was being dumb and aggressive.

How high up were you?

heath

This week's report: "...still on the bench, the engineer's looking at it..."

Me: "How long will it take."

"...about a week, we're really far behind..."

yeah.... these long slow looks are killing my shooting schedules.

sigh

to recap, camera received in NJ on Sept 6th.

--Ralph

Sorry to hear that Ralph,

If you want to come shoot here in Durham I'll help ya out with some equipment! :)

Chris

still no further info on what the original error signified?

leslie

Sorry to hear that Ralph,

If you want to come shoot here in Durham I'll help ya out with some equipment! :)

Chris

thanks for the offer, Chris... nothing in that end of the state at the moment, lots on hold up here in the mountains, alas. ... and the HC1 continues to do yeoman's work in keeping us getting footage.

--Ralph

still no further info on what the original error signified?

leslie

nope, can't get any info out of Sony's repair people... just "... we're really running behind..."

I did ask if they were having more V1s in than normal... essentially got a 'no comment' in reply.

nope, can't get any info out of Sony's repair people... just "... we're really running behind..."

I did ask if they were having more V1s in than normal... essentially got a 'no comment' in reply.

Strange. I just this second got off the phone with Dominick Esoldo at Sony Repair (don't know him from Adam, but he manages the Jersey facility) and he told me that they aren't getting any more or less V1's than any other broadcast product. In other words, it's normal volume for any product they produce.
They've been pretty quick with mine on turn around.

Strange. I just this second got off the phone with Dominick Esoldo at Sony Repair (don't know him from Adam, but he manages the Jersey facility) and he told me that they aren't getting any more or less V1's than any other broadcast product. In other words, it's normal volume for any product they produce.
They've been pretty quick with mine on turn around.

That's good to know, Douglas (and thanks for the name, I may need it)... but they still claim to be running behind and, since they've had my camera for two weeks, I tend to agree with them, alas.

Ah well... getting caught up on editing at least.

--Ralph

In the continuing epic:

Just checked on the V1... they tell me the part they needed has come in (didn't even know they'd ordered one) ... and that the camera might be ready Tuesday.

keeping fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.

What an adventure,eh?

--Ralph

In the continuing epic:

Just checked on the V1... they tell me the part they needed has come in (didn't even know they'd ordered one) ... and that the camera might be ready Tuesday.

keeping fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.

What an adventure,eh?

--Ralph

Well, the parts that came in did not fix it... the parts the technician thinks he needs are on backorder. "Call again Friday."

This is not good. Sony has had the camera 19 days now for in-warranty repair.

Why do I keep on reading this thread? There's something about it that makes me read every word... even as I think I won't...

Good luck Ralph. Sorry about the pain.

THURSDAY:

they THINK the latest part ordered will fix, but that part is on backorder.

Sony will soon have had the camera longer than I have.

--Ralph

Ughhhh, man do I feel for you Ralph. This is beyond anyones worst nightmares.

I hope all works out soon.

Considering the early age of the camera, it should have simply been replaced by now.

Considering the early age of the camera, it should have simply been replaced by now.

Thanks, Marcus... my thought exactly. ;-)

--Ralph

Yeah, I'd say you should start making a fuss about not getting it replaced. You've been very patient, by the sounds of things, and now it's time for them to get you a camera....one way or another. Remember, the squeeky wheel gets the grease....