Got my PD150 today... at DVinfo.net

Rob Hochberg · January 18th, 2006, 04:32 PM

I get it, my dad picks it up in Washington DC, and the board is fried. I thought at first it was the LCD, but all the colors it films flicker green and red, and it is throughly messed up. I have a video clip, but putfile is down right now. I have no idea what's wrong, I'm taking it back to the place (ebay store) I bought it from and I'm getting my money back. Is there something I might be missing, or another way to fix it? Couldn't hurt to ask...

Rob Hochberg · January 18th, 2006, 04:41 PM

http://www.zippyvideos.com/635526359...untitled_0013/

Here's the video, no idea why it converted it to WMV... As you can see, it looks terrible.

Seth Bloombaum · January 18th, 2006, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Hochberg

Is there something I might be missing, or another way to fix it? Couldn't hurt to ask...

Nope, that's a first rate pile of crap you have there, nothing you could possibly do would account for video that looks like this - hope the refund is smooth and easy.

Rob Hochberg · January 18th, 2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Bloombaum

Nope, that's a first rate pile of crap you have there, nothing you could possibly do would account for video that looks like this - hope the refund is smooth and easy.

A $2,300 pile of crap. Great. I will return it.

Boyd Ostroff · January 18th, 2006, 05:39 PM

Sorry to hear about your problem Rob. I'd definitely try for a refund. Otherwise you can find info on Sony repair centers here: http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do

Unfortunately, this is the second post within a week where somebody got a damaged PD-150 from eBay. Assuming you can get your money back, why not take my suggestion from the thread where you asked about places to buy a camera? http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=58132

Get on a bus, train or car and go to B&H in New York. Their used camera dept currently lists two PD-150's, one for $2,200 and another for $2,300 (their inventory is constantly changing, so they may or may not be listed here - probably a good idea to call before making the trip):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...rch&Q=&ci=2935

B&H stands behind their equipment, and you'll be supporting a company which supports this site.

Rob Hochberg · January 18th, 2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

Sorry to hear about your problem Rob. I'd definitely try for a refund. Otherwise you can find info on Sony repair centers here: http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do

Unfortunately, this is the second post within a week where somebody got a damaged PD-150 from eBay. Assuming you can get your money back, why not take my suggestion from the thread where you asked about places to buy a camera? http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=58132

Get on a bus, train or car and go to B&H in New York. Their used camera dept currently lists two PD-150's, one for $2,200 and another for $2,300 (their inventory is constantly changing, so they may or may not be listed here - probably a good idea to call before making the trip):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...rch&Q=&ci=2935

B&H stands behind their equipment, and you'll be supporting a company which supports this site.

Thanks Boyd, I was waiting for your post, you are always helpful. What's weird is that the problem is intermittent, which is obviously unacceptable, but still. I can't understand why though, the hours are low (60 tape run) and there is nothing suggesting it was dropped.

Rob Hochberg · January 18th, 2006, 06:00 PM

Interesting... I was looking at the box, and was originally purchased from B and H, it has an orange sticker directing it where to go.
Where do I find the model number for the sony site? I put in the number on the bottom of my camera and it says it wasn't valid.

Boyd Ostroff · January 18th, 2006, 06:13 PM

Sorry, I guess that link is for their consumer products. Here's info on the pro service centers:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...eCenters.shtml

Looks like the Teaneck NJ location is closest to you. Info on send-in repairs is here, along with some of the fees for out-of-warranty cameras:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...8/repair.shtml

Rob Hochberg · January 18th, 2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

Sorry, I guess that link is for their consumer products. Here's info on the pro service centers:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...eCenters.shtml

Looks like the Teaneck NJ location is closest to you. Info on send-in repairs is here, along with some of the fees for out-of-warranty cameras:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...8/repair.shtml

I shouldn't have to repair it. I am probably going to be sending it back tommorow. The store doesn't pay the client until after the auction, so I'm hoping they didn't pay him yet. I wish it worked right, I'm having tons of fun toying with it even if it doesn't work right. :-( Came with 3 batteries too. It doesn't seem to be doing that thing anymore, now the picture is just really yellow.

John Harmon · January 18th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Wow...and I thought I had a problem. As you may know from my thread last week, mine occasionally flashes random gibberish (and once in a while a yellow stripe) on the screen/viewfinder, but it doesn't affect the recording at all. I sure hope you don't have any trouble getting your money back.

Rob Hochberg · January 19th, 2006, 11:52 AM

I am going to be returning the camera, and I'm buying one from Patrick Moreau on here. The ebay store (espotstore) is now acting like a mediator between me and the previous owner, and he claims that he never had that problem, that I should clean the heads and use a fresh tape (I already was, sony premium tapes). He offered to discount for the price of repair, but I said I would much rather return it. My feeling is that one or more of the CCD's aren't working right. It doesn't seem to flicker anymore, but the picture is really yellow and lacking blue. I turned the ND filter to setting 1, and that seemed to fix the color, but I really want a reliable camera.

Chris Barcellos · January 19th, 2006, 12:07 PM

I can't figure that one out. I assume you're not shooting with the iris in manual mode and wide open... I have a VX2000, and I haven't seen that kind of result before.. but don't know what else is available on the PD150 in terms of adjustments..

Chris Barcellos

Marcus Marchesseault · January 19th, 2006, 04:46 PM

"...but the picture is really yellow and lacking blue."

I have to ask. Don't feel insulted as I can not see your "yellow" problem first-hand. Are you sure the camera is white-balanced properly?

Rob Hochberg · January 19th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Marchesseault

"...but the picture is really yellow and lacking blue."

I have to ask. Don't feel insulted as I can not see your "yellow" problem first-hand. Are you sure the camera is white-balanced properly?

Yes. I tried every white balance setting and the problem was still there. Trust me, something was not right in the camera. It doesn't matter anymore anyways, I sent it back today and will be recieving a refund probably early next week.

Nick Weeks · January 19th, 2006, 09:48 PM

This is a great example of why NOT to buy from eBay. I've had a similar experience with an older consumer DV cam. I bought it at the auction, where they claimed it was in "perfect working condition" and when I received it, the thing powered on, but it was very intermittent (it would cut off, the LCD would go off, but viewfinder still worked, while the camera always recorded to tape). After closer inspection it looked like the inside of the camera had water damage (looking inside the tape mechanism), but the outside was extremely clean, suggesting to me the seller cleaned it and sold as-is. I contacted the seller, and he claimed that "UPS must have damaged it" and to contact them.

...In trying to use the Insurance I supposedly paid extra for, UPS told me the package was shipped without insurance and they would not cover the cost of replacing the camera ($800). Going back to the ebay seller, I could not get him to agree to a refund. Fortunately PayPalbuyer protection refunded the money to me.

I despise buying anything from eBay, especially professional electronics...

January 18th, 2006, 04:32 PM	#1
Rob Hochberg Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 51	Got my PD150 today... I get it, my dad picks it up in Washington DC, and the board is fried. I thought at first it was the LCD, but all the colors it films flicker green and red, and it is throughly messed up. I have a video clip, but putfile is down right now. I have no idea what's wrong, I'm taking it back to the place (ebay store) I bought it from and I'm getting my money back. Is there something I might be missing, or another way to fix it? Couldn't hurt to ask...

January 19th, 2006, 12:07 PM	#12
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Neutral Density Effect: I can't figure that one out. I assume you're not shooting with the iris in manual mode and wide open... I have a VX2000, and I haven't seen that kind of result before.. but don't know what else is available on the PD150 in terms of adjustments.. Chris Barcellos

January 18th, 2006, 04:41 PM	#2
Rob Hochberg Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 51	http://www.zippyvideos.com/635526359...untitled_0013/ Here's the video, no idea why it converted it to WMV... As you can see, it looks terrible.

January 18th, 2006, 05:39 PM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Sorry to hear about your problem Rob. I'd definitely try for a refund. Otherwise you can find info on Sony repair centers here: http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do Unfortunately, this is the second post within a week where somebody got a damaged PD-150 from eBay. Assuming you can get your money back, why not take my suggestion from the thread where you asked about places to buy a camera? http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=58132 Get on a bus, train or car and go to B&H in New York. Their used camera dept currently lists two PD-150's, one for $2,200 and another for $2,300 (their inventory is constantly changing, so they may or may not be listed here - probably a good idea to call before making the trip): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...rch&Q=&ci=2935 B&H stands behind their equipment, and you'll be supporting a company which supports this site.

January 18th, 2006, 06:00 PM	#7
Rob Hochberg Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 51	Interesting... I was looking at the box, and was originally purchased from B and H, it has an orange sticker directing it where to go. Where do I find the model number for the sony site? I put in the number on the bottom of my camera and it says it wasn't valid.

January 18th, 2006, 06:13 PM	#8
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Sorry, I guess that link is for their consumer products. Here's info on the pro service centers: http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...eCenters.shtml Looks like the Teaneck NJ location is closest to you. Info on send-in repairs is here, along with some of the fees for out-of-warranty cameras: http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Broadcastan...8/repair.shtml

January 18th, 2006, 09:17 PM	#10
John Harmon Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Warren, Michigan, USA Posts: 96	Wow...and I thought I had a problem. As you may know from my thread last week, mine occasionally flashes random gibberish (and once in a while a yellow stripe) on the screen/viewfinder, but it doesn't affect the recording at all. I sure hope you don't have any trouble getting your money back.

January 19th, 2006, 11:52 AM	#11
Rob Hochberg Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Posts: 51	I am going to be returning the camera, and I'm buying one from Patrick Moreau on here. The ebay store (espotstore) is now acting like a mediator between me and the previous owner, and he claims that he never had that problem, that I should clean the heads and use a fresh tape (I already was, sony premium tapes). He offered to discount for the price of repair, but I said I would much rather return it. My feeling is that one or more of the CCD's aren't working right. It doesn't seem to flicker anymore, but the picture is really yellow and lacking blue. I turned the ND filter to setting 1, and that seemed to fix the color, but I really want a reliable camera.

January 19th, 2006, 04:46 PM	#13
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	"...but the picture is really yellow and lacking blue." I have to ask. Don't feel insulted as I can not see your "yellow" problem first-hand. Are you sure the camera is white-balanced properly?

January 19th, 2006, 09:48 PM	#15
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	This is a great example of why NOT to buy from eBay. I've had a similar experience with an older consumer DV cam. I bought it at the auction, where they claimed it was in "perfect working condition" and when I received it, the thing powered on, but it was very intermittent (it would cut off, the LCD would go off, but viewfinder still worked, while the camera always recorded to tape). After closer inspection it looked like the inside of the camera had water damage (looking inside the tape mechanism), but the outside was extremely clean, suggesting to me the seller cleaned it and sold as-is. I contacted the seller, and he claimed that "UPS must have damaged it" and to contact them. ...In trying to use the Insurance I supposedly paid extra for, UPS told me the package was shipped without insurance and they would not cover the cost of replacing the camera ($800). Going back to the ebay seller, I could not get him to agree to a refund. Fortunately PayPalbuyer protection refunded the money to me. I despise buying anything from eBay, especially professional electronics...