Change language on Japanese Sony? at DVinfo.net

Brian Berg · July 28th, 2009, 01:35 PM

I have a bud I can get a Sony HC90 from, but it's a Japanese version. Does anyone know if I can change the language like on the stateside version of the camera?

Adam Gold · July 28th, 2009, 03:21 PM

Some cams give you the choice of language if you do a hard reset using the RESET button. Otherwise you'll have to hack the firmware, which might or might not work, might or might not cripple the cam, and will certainly void your warranty. A service center might be able to do this for you but if they are authorized Sony they may refuse to do so.

Sounds like you're getting the cam used so warranty not likely an issue. But if it were me, I'd pass.

Did you mean HC9 or HC90? The 90 is an pretty old cam, and they're only about $350 used at Amazon, and way, way less than that on ebay, where I just saw an English one bidding at about $100 and a Japanese one at about $25. How cheap does it need to be to make it worth the risk?

Brian Berg · July 28th, 2009, 03:44 PM

It's an HC90. It's pretty old but a pretty reliable camera. I rent them out to hunters so I don't want to spend a ton on them. Who knows? I may run into a Japanese hunter. LOL. I've bought some on ebay for less than $300 all decked out too. Guess I'll do a little more digging .

July 28th, 2009, 01:35 PM	#1
Brian Berg Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Clare Michigan Posts: 71	Change language on Japanese Sony? I have a bud I can get a Sony HC90 from, but it's a Japanese version. Does anyone know if I can change the language like on the stateside version of the camera?

July 28th, 2009, 03:21 PM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Some cams give you the choice of language if you do a hard reset using the RESET button. Otherwise you'll have to hack the firmware, which might or might not work, might or might not cripple the cam, and will certainly void your warranty. A service center might be able to do this for you but if they are authorized Sony they may refuse to do so. Sounds like you're getting the cam used so warranty not likely an issue. But if it were me, I'd pass. Did you mean HC9 or HC90? The 90 is an pretty old cam, and they're only about $350 used at Amazon, and way, way less than that on ebay, where I just saw an English one bidding at about $100 and a Japanese one at about $25. How cheap does it need to be to make it worth the risk?

July 28th, 2009, 03:44 PM	#3
Brian Berg Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Clare Michigan Posts: 71	It's an HC90. It's pretty old but a pretty reliable camera. I rent them out to hunters so I don't want to spend a ton on them. Who knows? I may run into a Japanese hunter. LOL. I've bought some on ebay for less than $300 all decked out too. Guess I'll do a little more digging .