After many uses, the HDMI port on my camera is finally going wonky. You have to push the HDMI cable off to the left in order for it to send a signal to the monitor. Also, unlike analog formats, 99% of the signal won't get you 99% of the picture, it'll get you nothing. So a little camera shake loses the attached monitor for what feels like forever.

Has this happened to anyone else? I guess I have to send the camera in for repair - any ideas on what it'll cost?

HDMI ports are, in my opinion, designed to fail when used on anything but stationary TVs at home. Zacuto sells a device that clamps to the cable and to a rod so once the cable is plugged in, you can't damage it. It's very easy to bump the cable, and even a slight bump can damage the cable or the port. I hate HDMI ports more than I used to hate those flimsy mini firewire ports.

Zacuto is not the only company that makes a device like this, but I don't know the names of the others.

Things that will always eventually fail: HDMI ports, firewire ports, mini audio ports.

My experience with HDMI is that in most cases it's the cable that fails. Can you feel the port moving, ie., are you sure it's not the cable?

Here's the Zacuto part I was talking about. It only works with some other devices they sell...I think if you have the Gorilla Plate it will attach to that. Expensive but reliable. Of course this won't do you any good if the port is dead, but maybe something to consider after it's repaired.

Pincher (http://store.zacuto.com/Pincher.html)

Has anybody tried the locking HDMI cables? I've always been curious if this would be a safer approach to using these troublesome cables.

My HDMI port is moving a bit too, but signal is still good.
I always wonder if every FS100's HDMI port is a bit loose or the cable will stay very film after plugging in.

I now use a L shape adaptor to make the cable facing down after plugging in

I use HDMI cables with swivel joints at both ends.
All the stress is now on the cable.

Bill Kerrigan
Montreal
http://fs700user.com

my HDMI port is a bit loose too, it moves up & down instead.. or is it normal that the port is a bit loose like that? I still can get video signal so far