RFI problems at DVinfo.net

Mike Rehmus · January 14th, 2003, 02:43 PM

I just fired up the new PD150 that Sony gave me in replacement for the 10 month old unit that failed.

I have confirmed that the SteadyShot function even in this new camera is susceptable to RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) problems.

If I key a hand-held police radio anywhere within about 4 feet of the camera, the picture shifts. I also tested one of the Family Radios sold by Radio Shack. It too will cause the picture to shift although not as much. A cellular telephone did not seem to cause any visible problem (flip-out LCD panel).

Clearly the Sony VX-2000 & DSR-PD150 DESIGNS are susceptable to RFI. Radio Frequency power is created not only in radio transmitters but RADAR, Television transmitters, spark plug wiring, sparks of any nature, etc. I'd guess that really strong fields may damage the camera. How strong and what source could do this I'll leave up to the reader :-)) Just on the cautionary side, I'd not dry this camcorder out in the microwave oven!

Lauri Batwin of Montage Video in NY is a member of the WEVA camera committee and will discuss this with Sony in February. I've supplied her with a tape showing the SteadyShot problem and footage that records the noise made by the failing drum that my PD150 had and as has been reported by others in these hallowed forum halls.

Andre De Clercq · January 16th, 2003, 03:33 PM

Electromagnetic radiation immunity is a big issue in medical, avionics and defence equipment. Mil standards go up to 200V/m over a broad frequency spectrum for approvals. Such high fieldstrengths (though not advisable for humans) are still not destructive in general but do introduce (sometimes) dangerious malfuntioning specifically in digital circuits. In some enviroments (power plants...) radiation can be that strong that little sparks are generated on close conductors. Microsparks are much more destructive on electronic circuits than the primary radiation, and can introduce explosions in explosive ambients. I doubt that camcorders are specified w.r.t. rad immunity.

January 14th, 2003, 02:43 PM	#1
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	RFI problems I just fired up the new PD150 that Sony gave me in replacement for the 10 month old unit that failed. I have confirmed that the SteadyShot function even in this new camera is susceptable to RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) problems. If I key a hand-held police radio anywhere within about 4 feet of the camera, the picture shifts. I also tested one of the Family Radios sold by Radio Shack. It too will cause the picture to shift although not as much. A cellular telephone did not seem to cause any visible problem (flip-out LCD panel). Clearly the Sony VX-2000 & DSR-PD150 DESIGNS are susceptable to RFI. Radio Frequency power is created not only in radio transmitters but RADAR, Television transmitters, spark plug wiring, sparks of any nature, etc. I'd guess that really strong fields may damage the camera. How strong and what source could do this I'll leave up to the reader :-)) Just on the cautionary side, I'd not dry this camcorder out in the microwave oven! Lauri Batwin of Montage Video in NY is a member of the WEVA camera committee and will discuss this with Sony in February. I've supplied her with a tape showing the SteadyShot problem and footage that records the noise made by the failing drum that my PD150 had and as has been reported by others in these hallowed forum halls. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

January 16th, 2003, 03:33 PM	#2
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Electromagnetic radiation immunity is a big issue in medical, avionics and defence equipment. Mil standards go up to 200V/m over a broad frequency spectrum for approvals. Such high fieldstrengths (though not advisable for humans) are still not destructive in general but do introduce (sometimes) dangerious malfuntioning specifically in digital circuits. In some enviroments (power plants...) radiation can be that strong that little sparks are generated on close conductors. Microsparks are much more destructive on electronic circuits than the primary radiation, and can introduce explosions in explosive ambients. I doubt that camcorders are specified w.r.t. rad immunity.