I was just about to buy an HD1 from bhphoto. But, how can I know I do not get a unit from the "original batch" with "bad lens mech."? I was concerned when I saw the HD1 "ON CLEARANCE" at amazon.

Perhaps someone who has made a recent purchase could report? Or, does one need to know the serial number sequence of the "original batch"?

Perhaps someone who has made a recent purchase could report? Or, does one need to know the serial number sequence of the "original batch"?

Hi Craig,

I bought a unit from Amazon.com that had the "clearance" icon next to the listing. Have not had the black screen problem but then again, it's only been a few days.

I'm using it everyday, so if my unit has a problem, it should pop up soon. I don't worry about it much because I'm capturing memories and as they say...those are "priceless" !

I would do this before making purchase as they are only replacing lenses if problem arises during warrenty period, according to the rep I talk to. So keep your invoices.

I got the black screen I sent my camera into their Care Clinic. I posted details and my serial number in this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=70788

tup

OK, I got my HD1 back from the "Customer Care Center" today, at a little over two weeks round trip. The "Lens Assembly" has been replaced, and it does indeed work for the moment. I haven't been very hard on the camera, and I'm worried that it may fail again, only after the warrantee period is over due to my light usage. We'll see.

By the way, my serial number is 039106xx (I don't know why people avoid posting their full serial numbers, but there must be some point). It's for the U.S. market.

S/N 03910xxx. Black screen problem after couple of weeks. Tapping fixed only few days. Sanyo refused warranty because Ebay purchase. Anyone know the cost to replace the lens assembly? Don't know if I should try to fix myself. If anyone is interested in the service manual, let me know. Thanks.

I'd push the issue with Sanyo. Ebay purchase or not, it's a Sanyo camera. It was produced by Sanyo and they were paid their asking price for it by the wholesaler they supplied it to.

I understand the issue with grey market, but it seems a might bold for Sanyo to just close the doors due to your chosen vendor. I'd push them on the grounds that they don't have an effective distribution channel established. My gut feel is that you were probably offered little choice. When I wanted my camera, I had to call Sanyo direct, who put me in touch with the Canadian wholesaler, who put me in touch with a second distributor, who in turn directed me to the only Sanyo dealer in my area... an electrical contracting supplier that is only active in the wholesale market. He was good to deal with and I appreciated his help greatly; still, isn't it a might absurd to have to go through that just to buy a product? If they are so bold as to refuse you service on the grounds that you chose a distributor they didn't approve, perhaps they should consider the limited options they provided you in the first place.

On a side-note, Sanyo should be managing its distribution channel, not expecting you to. Why is Sanyo giving you the grind when it was one of their distribution partners that leaked the product to an unqualified seller? If they have such an issue with it, they should track it through their channel and punish the distributor, not you. You're the faithful Sanyo client; they should love you.

Hopefully this didn't come off as a rant. I just have no patience for manufacturers that refuse warrantee based on shortsighted thinking. Your black screen is not uncommon and it wasn't caused by your vendor. And as you are simply a trusting client, their choice to turn their back on you seems wrong. I think you should escillate the issue.

Same story for my Sanyo HD1. I purchased my HD1 back in April from Prestige Camera, and was a happy camper for about a month. (For the record, I love this camera. I carried it every where I went, and shot more video in one month then I did with all my previous cameras combined.) Then one day I pulled it out to use and the screen was black, so I tapped it and then things worked normal. This happen about three times then tapping stopped fixing the problem. (Shaking the camera violently and cursing didn't seem to work either). I called up Sanyo support to see about getting the camera repaired, this is where they dropped the bomb shell about the fact the warranty is invalid since I bought a grey market camera from a unapproved dealer. I was so furious the next phone call I made was to my credit card company to dispute the charge. A few days later I got a phone call from Prestige and they offered to replace the camera, but after reading the post by Nathan Pease about being on his 3rd camera from Prestige I decide to just return the camera instead until this glitch is worked out.

After all that I still want to purchase another HD1 or something equivalent, but I’m afraid of having to go through this whole mess again. Has it been determined if the black screen issue has been resolved in the newer batches? Is this primarily a problem with grey market HD1’s or are all units affected? I’m not sure what to do, but I’m in need of a camcorder very soon and prefer the compactness and widescreen capability of the HD1.

Wack it. it works :-) mine did it a few times. Give it a good bump (dont break it mind you) and it will "pop" back on.

Then again mine did not give system error when I switched to playback so your likely got a much worse problem than I had.

I also had a grey market issue and the vendor refused to honor the warranty so I took my money back via my credit card (NEVER ever pay by any means BUT a credit card you TRUST)

Finally got the credit will be shipping there unit back and ordering from amazon.

Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/

I hope the community aspect of this forum doesn't extend to this issue.

My lens assembly just failed. I've had the camera for 1/3rd of a year and this is the first issue, but its a major one. It goes in Monday.

Nathan, your Plan B should work, if you need it. It will take several months to process it, but AMEX has a good track record in backing their customers who use their card.That's why I used it it to purchase mine.

Took over 3 weeks to get camera back from care center. 3 days after the screen is black again. What is the next step? I will call Sanyo and try to get money back I guess. I do not like messing with defective products

Help! After nearly 6 months of flawless performance from my HD1, I powered it up yesterday to discover the dreaded "black screen" defect. I (pre) ordered mine from Amazon in February, so hopefully Sanyo will honor their warranty. Does anyone have any helpful advice for me before I call up Sanyo?

I am a little concerned by the posts here which shows that the fix was only temporary. Have those issues been resolved? Have others had their cameras repaired without recurrence of the problem? I really like my camera and have been an advocate with my friends, and I hope Sanyo will do the right thing and stand behind their product.

Does anyone have any experience with returns/exchanges through Amazon? I know it has been 6 months, but do you think they are likely to give me an exchange?

I have a black screen on mine. The only tip I have is that you should phone Sanyo support direct. Trying to find a local repair centre probably won't pay off. The Canadian centre said they had to repair it at Sanyo.

Sanyo's had my unit for a week. I called on it today and the rep was very polite, explaining that the unit was in the tech centre, but wasn't repaired yet. He provided a followup number and told me to call later this week. A pretty good warrantee experience so far... let's just hope it comes back fixed and reliable.

HEllo,

I have the black screen problem also.
I have a question. If you remove your battery, and plug your camera into the AC adaptor, does it work? (it does not have the black screen problem)

Maybe the camera needs the battery to work (not enough with the AC adaptor) and the problem is that my battery is not working properly. In this case I only should change the battery.

Can anyone test this please?

Thanks,
DAvid

Need some advice from you good folks...

I really need an HD1 or 1a in the next few weeks. All of my study indicates the HD1 is just as good as the 1a but with a better screen. However, I am really spooked by the "Black Screen" thing. I value reliability and would never consider either camera,.....if it were a car or an airplane! I need the small size and the camcorder/still combo for my application. It also has to be operated with one hand.

Here's my question. Does anyone know whether an HD1 purchased from Amazon is still likely to have the reliability problems and would it have the lastest firmware installed.

Is Amazon good about replacing defective cameras?

I think I would prefer the HD1 if I thought it would be as reliable as the HD1a. Frankly, the reviews on Amazon give me pause.

I ordered one from Amazon. The price was great, $543 if I recall correctly.
Just add the 2 year service contract for $70, That's what I did.
-L

Can anybody give me the Ph# for Sanyo support in the US? I've looked all over the Sanyo sight but can't find it... yes, i suck! ;)

Hi Les,

You will have a "late model" HD1,.....could you let us know whether it has the latest firmware, if you can tell. I'd be very interested in hearing your impressions of your HD1. As you know, if you purchased with a credit card, you have an additional year's warranty. By then, the HD1 will be a relic. Are you able to video in SD mode and still get wide screen? Anxious to hear from you regarding which memory card you chose and other details. Amazon seems to have the best price on these. The Sony rep on another forum says the "Black Screen" problem has been fixed but, if by chance you have it happen, they can correct the problem absolutely. That information, to me, makes the HD1 seem a better choice than the HD1a. Thanks, Les.

Hi,
I also have a black screen problem with 1 yrs old HD1.
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