View Full Version : Sony Lawsuit - Get your camcorders fixed for free


Todd Kivimaki
March 23rd, 2006, 11:17 AM
It looks like if anyone is having problems with the CCD or LCD on their cameras Sony will pay for repairs up to $272.00.

Here's a list of cameras:

CCD-TRV118; CCD-TRV128; CCD-TRV318; CCD-TRV328; DCR-DVD100; DCR-DVD101; DCR-DVD200; DCR-DVD300; DCR-HC20; DCR-HC20 M; DCR-HC30/S; DCR-IP5; DCR-IP55; DCR-PC101; DCR-PC105; DCR-PC120BT; DCR-TRV18; DCR-TRV19; DCR-TRV19M; DCR-TRV22; DCR-TRV240; DCR-TRV25; DCR-TRV250; DCR-TRV260; DCR-TRV27; DCR-TRV33; DCR-TRV340; DCR-TRV38; DCR-TRV39; DCR-TRV460; DCR-TRV50; DCR-TRV740; DCR-TRV840; DCR-TRV950; DCR-VX2000; DCR-VX2100; DSR-250; DSR-250/1; DSR-PD150; DSR-PD170; and DSR-PDX10.

Here is the link to Sony's site explaining the settlement: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=hid_legalnotice

There is also a list of still cameras that they will pay up to $171.00.

The funny thing is on the settlement page it says the lawyers will receive $500,000. $272 vs. $500,000 not too bad!

James Holman
March 23rd, 2006, 12:51 PM
Hey Todd,

Sony is a major player in manufactoring of CCD's, in fact Sony supplies CCD's for most major brands of camcorder and still cameras. I want everybody to realize that before getting a CCD replaced, check with their manufacter to see if they will replace it for free, even if their camera is out of warranty.

Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus and others all have Sony CCD's in some or all of their cameras.

Just a note to finish. From your post I got the impression Sony would replace the LCD. I beleive it's only the CCD that they will repace for problems.

Jim

Nick Jushchyshyn
March 23rd, 2006, 01:12 PM
Yeah, I had this issue on a Canon ZR65.
Canon fixed it completely for free ... including shipping both ways.

Basically, if you have any camera that is powering up, plays fine, but having issues with "seeing", check the manufacturer's support site to see if a free repair is being offered.

Stephen Finton
March 23rd, 2006, 01:35 PM
How did the DCR-HC1000 not make the list? It uses the same CCD block as the TRV950 and PDX10.

Nick Jushchyshyn
March 23rd, 2006, 02:51 PM
It mostly depends on what batch of CCDs was installed in the cameras.
The issue was that Sony built several batches of chips with plastic (less expensive ... less durable) housings rather than their standard ceramic housing.

Any camera with a ceramic housed chip installed will not be covered by this recall. The camera manufacturer will likely be able to check this on a camera-by-camera basis based on the serial no. Some cameras using the exact same optical block may never have received a plastic-housed chip.

Georg Liigand
March 23rd, 2006, 03:21 PM
I'm wondering if this also covers something like this what I have:

http://georg.skyfilmproductions.com/camera/VX2100_display.JPG
(the upper right corner has a small fault)

I have kept the camera with very good care and it just appeared one day.

Stephen Finton
March 23rd, 2006, 04:12 PM
I'm wondering if this also covers something like this what I have:

http://georg.skyfilmproductions.com/camera/VX2100_display.JPG
(the upper right corner has a small fault)

I have kept the camera with very good care and it just appeared one day.

Looks like you liquid crystal is leaking. (Say that 5 times fast!)

James Holman
March 23rd, 2006, 11:37 PM
Georg,

From viewing your LCD pic, it sure looks like your backlight mask has moved. Behind the LCD is a backlight assy used to illuminate the LCD and give even lighting over the entire screen. Between the LCD and the Backlight assy is a mask. A mask that has shifted can allow light to get around the side of the LCD. A leaky LCD usually shows up as a black abnormality on the screen.

As far a I've been able to find out, Sony isn't doing repairs on LCD's at no charge, only LCD's.

Jim

Georg Liigand
March 25th, 2006, 02:39 AM
Thanks for the information. Is it possible by the Sony center to repair it for a lower cost or does it need a new LCD? It doesn't disturb me that much, but I want to get it right.

Daniel Melius
March 25th, 2006, 06:52 AM
Anyone know if ceramic or plastic housing was used on the VX2100 and if anyone had CCD problems with the VX2100? I have three of them with no problems so far but am a little worried as I had two of them modified for sound by Greg Winter for use with sound devices mix pre and not sure if they would replace CCD's for free on those one's. I have read a bunch of posts on people having trouble with the VX2000 but not a single one on the CCD's of the VX2100 yet.