Help! Lousy color rendering, especially red tones -anyone else than me?

Alex Thames · November 21st, 2006, 11:12 AM

I don't have my warranty cards/boxes/etc. with me right now, but I bought my camera in April 2006 - how long does the warranty last? I didn't register, so I didn't receive the extended 6 months or whatever offer that was, but I should be able to do that anytime right?

Christian de Godzinsky · November 21st, 2006, 02:11 PM

Hi Alex,

Here in Europe a normal warranty is one year from the day of purchase. That is why they want to see your receipt since very few dealers anymore stamps of handles the warranty card anyhow.

You do not have to register here for anything. Your system over there might be different. Probably you are much wiser after a call to a Sony representative :)

Christian

Fredrik-Larsson · November 21st, 2006, 02:38 PM

Actually it might be more than one year. Especially if you bought it as a consumer. Even though a manufacturer say there is only one year warranty it might actually be longer by law and then the manufacturer can say whatever... at least that's the case in Sweden... Ironically very few know about it and figure there is a 1-year warranty on everything...

Alex Goldshteyn · December 22nd, 2006, 09:42 AM

Okay, I am in the US so I called the 1-800-222-7669 and spoke with an agent. She ran me through the usual troubleshooting routine and I explained to her that this is a known issue with Red color reporduction and general color saturation (and that I would like to get my camera firmware upgraded to correct the issue). I purchased the camera in April 2006. She explained that there is no known issue in their system for the HDR-HC1 and that the best that she could do, was to have me ship the camera to their service center in Connecticut to be examined (for which I would pay shipping to/from and labor....you see the camera only has a 1-year parts warranty and 90 days labor). I politely declined. So, back to the issues at hand.

How do I know what version firmware my camera has (is there a way to get into a service menu?

Why doesn't Sony US acknowledge this issue?

Anyone in the US have any luck getting their camera firmware upgraded by Sony (particlarly agter the 90-day labor period ran out)?

David Delaney · December 22nd, 2006, 03:21 PM

Does mackcamera have a way of doing this? They might be able to help.

Christian de Godzinsky · December 23rd, 2006, 01:34 PM

Hi Alex,

It is daydreaming to believe that such a thing would be acknowledged by Sony, or a service representative. They probably actually never head of it, at least officially. I myself contacted here locally Sony people that should have known about this issue, but I just got the same answer as you, "send it to the service to have it examined". 5 days later I picked up a fixed HC1. I am lucky to live just 5 miles from that location.

I have ordered a service manual and will immediately tell you how to check the firmare version(s). That migh take still some 2 weeks.

Happy Holidays !!!

Christian

David Delaney · December 23rd, 2006, 06:11 PM

Keep up posted Please!
Did you have to pay for servicing? I thought if it was under warranty you still had to pay $125.00 or something?

Christian de Godzinsky · December 24th, 2006, 05:38 AM

Hi,

Nope - I paid nothing. A warranty is a warraty - right? I understand that in some circumstandes you have to pay for the shipping... but not for the warranry repair.

I will keep you posted on how to check the firmware, but I am on vacation until the 10th of Jan so do not expect anything before that :(

Merry X-mas !!!

Christian

Sam Choi · January 5th, 2007, 11:01 AM

I own hc1, fx1, and fx7.

HC1 doesn't do strong red.
Here's how i fixed it. bring it up in vegas (for my vegas version, i have to bring it in through capdvhs) and did the color correction on it to match that of images taken by fx7 (fx1 is a bit too reddish). add video event fx, add color corrector (one that has three circles on it) and incrase low land mid levels (not high) to about 1/3s way up to red (90 degree is red).

and now it is PERFECT.

This is MUCH better way to fix than to meddle with firmware or settings.
in the past, i tried color saturation +2, +3 during filming. But that just offsets entire red channel and alias with greens.. so that didn't work.

in similar fashion, I lower reds in fx1. i try to make color look like fx7 on all three.

David Delaney · January 5th, 2007, 06:16 PM

thanks for that - but if a firmware is available it is a good option because it means less messing around in post.

Christian de Godzinsky · January 10th, 2007, 08:43 AM

Hi,

Yes - you can do miracles in postprocessing. But - how can you correct this problem with a fixed color filter when you don't know how the HC1 erroneosly processes the reds under different lighting conditions?

This is more like compensating for the symptoms. Additionally, post color corrention increases the rendering time dramatically - and it is is already slow if you run in HDV mode and have added some other postprocessing.

So, as a last resort, do it in post. But why not get the the HC1 fixed when it can be fixed???

You have, independent of this, always a problem to achieve good color matching when combining material from different models or makes of cams.

Can anyone direct me where to find a good (an not too expensive) printed color test chart to shoot before shooting the actual material - to be able to do the color matcing in post? Would it be possible to print a suitable one with a decent color printer? Does such printable document exist somewhere?

Christian

David Delaney · January 10th, 2007, 09:47 PM

IS there a url of a list of Sony repair centers? I just got a used HC1 and want to send it in before warranty runs out. I am in the Western NY area/Buffalo.

Peter Rhalter · January 11th, 2007, 12:34 AM

<IS there a url of a list of Sony repair centers? I just got a used HC1 and want to send it in before warranty runs out. I am in the Western NY area/Buffalo.>

Try:

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/select...ome:btnSupport

Hope that helps,
Peter

David Delaney · January 11th, 2007, 06:38 AM

How are you guys getting this for free? I checked into it and this is what it told me (still under warranty) :

The cost to repair this unit under our Flat Rate Program is $249.00, (plus any applicable taxes). Return shipping is included in this price.

This is a steep price to pay to get the reds fixed, but yet I have read some people posting that they got it down for free?!?

Fredrik-Larsson · January 11th, 2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Delaney

How are you guys getting this for free? I checked into it and this is what it told me (still under warranty) :

The cost to repair this unit under our Flat Rate Program is $249.00, (plus any applicable taxes). Return shipping is included in this price.

This is a steep price to pay to get the reds fixed, but yet I have read some people posting that they got it down for free?!?

I think it depends in what country you live in. In sweden we are protected by consumer laws that gives us certain rights. It might be very well that you have the right to free warranty but they try to hustle you anyway since consumer might be unaware of their legal right.

November 21st, 2006, 02:11 PM	#32
Christian de Godzinsky Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Helsinki/Finland Posts: 131	Hi Alex, Here in Europe a normal warranty is one year from the day of purchase. That is why they want to see your receipt since very few dealers anymore stamps of handles the warranty card anyhow. You do not have to register here for anything. Your system over there might be different. Probably you are much wiser after a call to a Sony representative :) Christian __________________ The future does not exist - we must invent it !

November 21st, 2006, 02:38 PM	#33
Fredrik-Larsson Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Malmö, Sweden Posts: 395	Actually it might be more than one year. Especially if you bought it as a consumer. Even though a manufacturer say there is only one year warranty it might actually be longer by law and then the manufacturer can say whatever... at least that's the case in Sweden... Ironically very few know about it and figure there is a 1-year warranty on everything... __________________ The Russian Captain (upcoming feature) http://trc-movie.blogspot.com/ My movies http://www.larssonfilm.com/

December 23rd, 2006, 01:34 PM	#36
Christian de Godzinsky Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Helsinki/Finland Posts: 131	Hi Alex, It is daydreaming to believe that such a thing would be acknowledged by Sony, or a service representative. They probably actually never head of it, at least officially. I myself contacted here locally Sony people that should have known about this issue, but I just got the same answer as you, "send it to the service to have it examined". 5 days later I picked up a fixed HC1. I am lucky to live just 5 miles from that location. I have ordered a service manual and will immediately tell you how to check the firmare version(s). That migh take still some 2 weeks. Happy Holidays !!! Christian __________________ The future does not exist - we must invent it !

December 24th, 2006, 05:38 AM	#38
Christian de Godzinsky Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Helsinki/Finland Posts: 131	Hi, Nope - I paid nothing. A warranty is a warraty - right? I understand that in some circumstandes you have to pay for the shipping... but not for the warranry repair. I will keep you posted on how to check the firmware, but I am on vacation until the 10th of Jan so do not expect anything before that :( Merry X-mas !!! Christian __________________ The future does not exist - we must invent it !

January 5th, 2007, 11:01 AM	#39
Sam Choi Tourist Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bryan, Texas Posts: 3	Hc1 Red Color Problem Solved I own hc1, fx1, and fx7. HC1 doesn't do strong red. Here's how i fixed it. bring it up in vegas (for my vegas version, i have to bring it in through capdvhs) and did the color correction on it to match that of images taken by fx7 (fx1 is a bit too reddish). add video event fx, add color corrector (one that has three circles on it) and incrase low land mid levels (not high) to about 1/3s way up to red (90 degree is red). and now it is PERFECT. This is MUCH better way to fix than to meddle with firmware or settings. in the past, i tried color saturation +2, +3 during filming. But that just offsets entire red channel and alias with greens.. so that didn't work. in similar fashion, I lower reds in fx1. i try to make color look like fx7 on all three.

November 21st, 2006, 11:12 AM	#31
Alex Thames Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 508	I don't have my warranty cards/boxes/etc. with me right now, but I bought my camera in April 2006 - how long does the warranty last? I didn't register, so I didn't receive the extended 6 months or whatever offer that was, but I should be able to do that anytime right?

December 22nd, 2006, 09:42 AM	#34
Alex Goldshteyn New Boot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 17	Okay, I am in the US so I called the 1-800-222-7669 and spoke with an agent. She ran me through the usual troubleshooting routine and I explained to her that this is a known issue with Red color reporduction and general color saturation (and that I would like to get my camera firmware upgraded to correct the issue). I purchased the camera in April 2006. She explained that there is no known issue in their system for the HDR-HC1 and that the best that she could do, was to have me ship the camera to their service center in Connecticut to be examined (for which I would pay shipping to/from and labor....you see the camera only has a 1-year parts warranty and 90 days labor). I politely declined. So, back to the issues at hand. How do I know what version firmware my camera has (is there a way to get into a service menu? Why doesn't Sony US acknowledge this issue? Anyone in the US have any luck getting their camera firmware upgraded by Sony (particlarly agter the 90-day labor period ran out)?

December 22nd, 2006, 03:21 PM	#35
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Does mackcamera have a way of doing this? They might be able to help.

December 23rd, 2006, 06:11 PM	#37
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Keep up posted Please! Did you have to pay for servicing? I thought if it was under warranty you still had to pay $125.00 or something?

January 5th, 2007, 06:16 PM	#40
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	thanks for that - but if a firmware is available it is a good option because it means less messing around in post.

January 10th, 2007, 08:43 AM	#41
Christian de Godzinsky Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Helsinki/Finland Posts: 131	Hi, Yes - you can do miracles in postprocessing. But - how can you correct this problem with a fixed color filter when you don't know how the HC1 erroneosly processes the reds under different lighting conditions? This is more like compensating for the symptoms. Additionally, post color corrention increases the rendering time dramatically - and it is is already slow if you run in HDV mode and have added some other postprocessing. So, as a last resort, do it in post. But why not get the the HC1 fixed when it can be fixed??? You have, independent of this, always a problem to achieve good color matching when combining material from different models or makes of cams. Can anyone direct me where to find a good (an not too expensive) printed color test chart to shoot before shooting the actual material - to be able to do the color matcing in post? Would it be possible to print a suitable one with a decent color printer? Does such printable document exist somewhere? Christian __________________ The future does not exist - we must invent it !

January 10th, 2007, 09:47 PM	#42
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	IS there a url of a list of Sony repair centers? I just got a used HC1 and want to send it in before warranty runs out. I am in the Western NY area/Buffalo.

January 11th, 2007, 12:34 AM	#43
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	Help! Lousy color rendering, especially red tones -anyone else than me? <IS there a url of a list of Sony repair centers? I just got a used HC1 and want to send it in before warranty runs out. I am in the Western NY area/Buffalo.> Try: http://esupport.sony.com/perl/select...ome:btnSupport Hope that helps, Peter

January 11th, 2007, 06:38 AM	#44
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	How are you guys getting this for free? I checked into it and this is what it told me (still under warranty) : The cost to repair this unit under our Flat Rate Program is $249.00, (plus any applicable taxes). Return shipping is included in this price. This is a steep price to pay to get the reds fixed, but yet I have read some people posting that they got it down for free?!?