Sony sites and downloads a mess! at DVinfo.net

Paul Gale · December 10th, 2007, 06:26 AM

Has anyone ever fed back to the Sony product managers what a mess the Sony web sites are - also VERY confusing with their different versions of XDCAM software viewers!

I was wondering if they were aware how their sites are perceived?

Richard Lesser · December 10th, 2007, 07:35 PM

I agree. The packages with version numbers don't really reflect the most updated version. Quite confussing.

Where do we send our suggestions?

Chris Hurd · December 10th, 2007, 07:59 PM

Post your suggestions right here. I guarantee that Sony America reviews this board on a frequent basis. All I ask is, keep it professional and constructive.

Steve Cahill · December 11th, 2007, 06:14 AM

I agree, Sony has too many sites, while the euro site always has the downloads first before the US site, it is confusioning.

They need to be one company facing the customer, I see them as two different company's competing with themselves.

Chris Hurd · December 11th, 2007, 08:39 AM

But that's exactly what they are... multiple companies which are sometimes competing directly against each other. This is the case for all four of the major camcorder manufacturers, Panasonic - JVC - Canon as well as Sony. And that situation is *not* going to change any time soon. Any suggestions for improving their site?

Thierry Humeau · December 11th, 2007, 10:12 AM

Sony is well aware of the situation and is working on revamping the XDCAM software download site.

Thierry.

Mark Silva · December 11th, 2007, 11:04 AM

Sony's websites have been a mess since they had a website.

Paul Gale · December 11th, 2007, 01:17 PM

My biggest problem was with the software - it took me quite a while to understand what to use and when - not helped by the odd version numbers and update vs full installers - especially when the update installer asks to uninstall the older version first - is that really an update!?

The other problem I had is that there are (at least) two products for viewing proxy/full res files - these are not explained clearly and the product roadmap (if that's the right term) seems to be very muddled. Is VX10 the successor to proxy viewer for example?

Oh, and the proxy viewer software download is corrupt from the Europe web site - UK tech support are aware of this but it's still there in a corrupt form. I had a real problem after asking one of my clients to download and install this after sending them some proxy files to urgently install - it delayed the project by a day :(

re the web site - an easy to find/search and navigate downloads section would be a real start - the current method is very confusing and the info displayed about updates is not as clear as it should be.

Thanks.

December 10th, 2007, 06:26 AM	#1
Paul Gale Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 425	Sony sites and downloads a mess! Has anyone ever fed back to the Sony product managers what a mess the Sony web sites are - also VERY confusing with their different versions of XDCAM software viewers! I was wondering if they were aware how their sites are perceived?

December 10th, 2007, 07:35 PM	#2
Richard Lesser Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sherman Oaks California Posts: 31	I agree. The packages with version numbers don't really reflect the most updated version. Quite confussing. Where do we send our suggestions? __________________ Richard Lesser Producer, Cameraman, Editor F350 • FCP • Media 100

December 10th, 2007, 07:59 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Post your suggestions right here. I guarantee that Sony America reviews this board on a frequent basis. All I ask is, keep it professional and constructive. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 11th, 2007, 06:14 AM	#4
Steve Cahill Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 321	I agree, Sony has too many sites, while the euro site always has the downloads first before the US site, it is confusioning. They need to be one company facing the customer, I see them as two different company's competing with themselves. __________________ Regards Steve

December 11th, 2007, 08:39 AM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	But that's exactly what they are... multiple companies which are sometimes competing directly against each other. This is the case for all four of the major camcorder manufacturers, Panasonic - JVC - Canon as well as Sony. And that situation is not going to change any time soon. Any suggestions for improving their site? __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 11th, 2007, 10:12 AM	#6
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Sony is well aware of the situation and is working on revamping the XDCAM software download site. Thierry. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

December 11th, 2007, 11:04 AM	#7
Mark Silva Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 431	Sony's websites have been a mess since they had a website.

December 11th, 2007, 01:17 PM	#8
Paul Gale Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 425	My biggest problem was with the software - it took me quite a while to understand what to use and when - not helped by the odd version numbers and update vs full installers - especially when the update installer asks to uninstall the older version first - is that really an update!? The other problem I had is that there are (at least) two products for viewing proxy/full res files - these are not explained clearly and the product roadmap (if that's the right term) seems to be very muddled. Is VX10 the successor to proxy viewer for example? Oh, and the proxy viewer software download is corrupt from the Europe web site - UK tech support are aware of this but it's still there in a corrupt form. I had a real problem after asking one of my clients to download and install this after sending them some proxy files to urgently install - it delayed the project by a day :( re the web site - an easy to find/search and navigate downloads section would be a real start - the current method is very confusing and the info displayed about updates is not as clear as it should be. Thanks.