Beware stolen Sony cameras

Bo Skelmose · February 14th, 2011, 04:51 AM

Hi
Here you can find serial numbers of stolen Sony cameraes like the PMW-500. A hole truck with Sony stuff is missing in Europe.
Så gik det også ud over Sony - Branchens mødested

Patrick McLoad · February 18th, 2011, 11:37 AM

You know, that brings up a thought I had about stolen cameras. Of course, you should have it insured for just that reason, but dammit, I want the theives caught. How difficult would it be for Sony to install anti-theft GPS circuitry in these enormously expensive cameras? Or even offer as an option? The same circuitry can be included in I-Phones and I-Pads....why not cameras?
Sony, are you listening? (no).

Patrick McLoad

Dave Gosley · February 18th, 2011, 06:22 PM

Not difficult at all really, it can be done on your pet...

A relatively cheap and simple chip that can be detected at airports, etc and if police suspect something they can always scan it for the chip - like a pet.

I would think that an Authorized Sony dealer / repair facility would be able to insert and bond into the inside of a camera case a chip of the same nature. It just takes organising, but who's going to take the lead?
As as far as I am aware, the chips are inert, don't need batteries, transmit nothing and are silent so they should not interfere with the camera's use.

Patrick McLoad · February 18th, 2011, 08:11 PM

Not a bad thought Dave, but like you say, a pet capsule requires a scanner and someone to scan it. I'd rather have something like a LoJack that can be located anywhere/everywhere.
The technology is there.
http://www.absolute.com/en/lojackforlaptops/home.aspx

P

Brian McKenna · February 18th, 2011, 11:00 PM

Quote:

How difficult would it be for Sony to install anti-theft GPS circuitry in these enormously expensive cameras?

the ethics are simply mind-boggling IMO.

RFIDs are quite cheap to produce and they can even be scanned from space as far as i know. but i'm inclined to suppose that they're far too exploitable a technology. i know less about GPS stuff, but it still stand that the same technology used to locate your stolen stuff can be ever so easily used to make stealing it that much more a targeted and efficient endeavor.

...my (former) repair facility managed to loose 40+ cameras in one shipment (including one of mine). their compensation offer seemed like a decent plan initially... that is until they started their bargaining at 100% less than the than the repair costs i'd already paid them... never mind the value of the camera. the postal system in holland has plunged well below 3rd world standards since privatization kicked in. really.

...i'm reminded of a reported scam, perhaps urban legend, where some dudes were randomly approached by an 'off-the-back-of-a-truck' sales pitch in a parking-lot. the deal was for a ridiculously underpriced 3-chip prosumer camera, new in box. after taking the bait they discovered that the 'camera' they had bought was in fact a fully convincing plastic replica, perhaps even a genuine case with nothing but a brick for its interior.

Patrick McLoad · February 18th, 2011, 11:24 PM

Hmmm...interesting....never thought of it being a two-way street.
How about a numerical pad on the side of the camera that requires a personal code before operating?
Might not stop theft, but could slow it down.

Patrick McLoad

Brian McKenna · February 18th, 2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

How about a numerical pad on the side of the camera that requires a personal code before operating?
Might not stop theft, but could slow it down.

well this would of course slow you down as much as it would slow them, if you get my meaning.
i've been following the 'bio-metrics' industry with some interest but i still can't get past the idea that for every technological solution created there comes a host of new problems as a result.

Patrick McLoad · February 19th, 2011, 07:50 AM

Yes, after giving it some thought, I would just as soon not have a numeric pad on my camera as well, given the propensity for Sony electronics to go awry.

P

Dave Gosley · February 19th, 2011, 08:29 AM

With an iPhone you can render the phone useless with a little app. If the phone gets stolen the app you have bought can be initialised and it knackers the phone - apparently.

Maybe if this were the case for cameras - the thefts would stop - as each original camera owner just knackered the camera after it was stolen, pointless stealing it..?

You'd only officially be able to get the camera repaired and working agian at a dealer centre and a centre taking such a camera in is going to look at the registered owner to give it back to..

As with everyone else here, I think something has to be done.. but it needs commitment from someone like Sony or Canon or JVC or all of them as a collaboration - they all do have the capability - they need to learn to care enough.. IMHO

Piotr Wozniacki · February 19th, 2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Gosley

As with everyone else here, I think something has to be done.. but it needs commitment from someone like Sony or Canon or JVC or all of them as a collaboration - they all do have the capability - they need to learn to care enough.. IMHO

Why should they?

It's sad, but the situation is a win for manufacturers (of cameras, cars, and all other steal-able goods).

The dealer was certainly insured, so they'll get their money back and buy another truckload of cameras.

And those stolen ones will certainly not limit the market for new cameras of that kind, as nobody serious would buy a "fishy" broadcast equipment...They will end up in hands of those low-profile ones who are after such opportunities.

All in all, this means more sales for the manufacturer. And the ethics? Well... didn't I just say it's sad...

Dave Gosley · February 19th, 2011, 12:22 PM

We've all known that cycle for years and while it is sad it is also in this day and age preventable - if the manufacturers learned to care enough. Why should they?? Why shouldn't they?
If they were the one's to lose out they'd soon bleat, and after bleating they'd do something about it.

Why is it decent upstanding citizens (the individuals in life) who never get back for a camera what they've paid for it from an insurance claim always be the one's to lose out because a manufacturer doesn't care enough to embrace available technology?

You are right, all the time they win - they will not learn to care..

Vincent Oliver · February 19th, 2011, 01:28 PM

Enough of the manufacture bashing. Yes, they can do a more but I would rather they spent their time developing better functions and solving know issues. Surely the responsibility for looking after gear should be down to you. Make sure it is well insured and don't leave it in unsecured places.

Dave Gosley · February 19th, 2011, 05:57 PM

You wanna tell that to the lorry driver in Holland...? lol

February 14th, 2011, 04:51 AM	#1
Bo Skelmose Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 495	Beware stolen Sony cameras - serial numbers. Hi Here you can find serial numbers of stolen Sony cameraes like the PMW-500. A hole truck with Sony stuff is missing in Europe. Så gik det også ud over Sony - Branchens mødested

February 18th, 2011, 06:22 PM	#3
Dave Gosley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 226	Not difficult at all really, it can be done on your pet... A relatively cheap and simple chip that can be detected at airports, etc and if police suspect something they can always scan it for the chip - like a pet. I would think that an Authorized Sony dealer / repair facility would be able to insert and bond into the inside of a camera case a chip of the same nature. It just takes organising, but who's going to take the lead? As as far as I am aware, the chips are inert, don't need batteries, transmit nothing and are silent so they should not interfere with the camera's use. __________________ http://www.videoproductionshampshire.co.uk

February 19th, 2011, 08:29 AM	#9
Dave Gosley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 226	With an iPhone you can render the phone useless with a little app. If the phone gets stolen the app you have bought can be initialised and it knackers the phone - apparently. Maybe if this were the case for cameras - the thefts would stop - as each original camera owner just knackered the camera after it was stolen, pointless stealing it..? You'd only officially be able to get the camera repaired and working agian at a dealer centre and a centre taking such a camera in is going to look at the registered owner to give it back to.. As with everyone else here, I think something has to be done.. but it needs commitment from someone like Sony or Canon or JVC or all of them as a collaboration - they all do have the capability - they need to learn to care enough.. IMHO __________________ http://www.videoproductionshampshire.co.uk

February 19th, 2011, 12:22 PM	#11
Dave Gosley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 226	We've all known that cycle for years and while it is sad it is also in this day and age preventable - if the manufacturers learned to care enough. Why should they?? Why shouldn't they? If they were the one's to lose out they'd soon bleat, and after bleating they'd do something about it. Why is it decent upstanding citizens (the individuals in life) who never get back for a camera what they've paid for it from an insurance claim always be the one's to lose out because a manufacturer doesn't care enough to embrace available technology? You are right, all the time they win - they will not learn to care.. __________________ http://www.videoproductionshampshire.co.uk

February 19th, 2011, 01:28 PM	#12
Vincent Oliver Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chislehurst, London Posts: 1,724	Enough of the manufacture bashing. Yes, they can do a more but I would rather they spent their time developing better functions and solving know issues. Surely the responsibility for looking after gear should be down to you. Make sure it is well insured and don't leave it in unsecured places. __________________ Eyes are a deaf man’s ears. Ears are a blind man’s eyes

February 18th, 2011, 11:37 AM	#2
Patrick McLoad Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 52	You know, that brings up a thought I had about stolen cameras. Of course, you should have it insured for just that reason, but dammit, I want the theives caught. How difficult would it be for Sony to install anti-theft GPS circuitry in these enormously expensive cameras? Or even offer as an option? The same circuitry can be included in I-Phones and I-Pads....why not cameras? Sony, are you listening? (no). Patrick McLoad

February 18th, 2011, 08:11 PM	#4
Patrick McLoad Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 52	Not a bad thought Dave, but like you say, a pet capsule requires a scanner and someone to scan it. I'd rather have something like a LoJack that can be located anywhere/everywhere. The technology is there. http://www.absolute.com/en/lojackforlaptops/home.aspx P

February 18th, 2011, 11:24 PM	#6
Patrick McLoad Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 52	Hmmm...interesting....never thought of it being a two-way street. How about a numerical pad on the side of the camera that requires a personal code before operating? Might not stop theft, but could slow it down. Patrick McLoad

February 19th, 2011, 07:50 AM	#8
Patrick McLoad Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 52	Yes, after giving it some thought, I would just as soon not have a numeric pad on my camera as well, given the propensity for Sony electronics to go awry. P

February 19th, 2011, 05:57 PM	#13
Dave Gosley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 226	You wanna tell that to the lorry driver in Holland...? lol __________________ http://www.videoproductionshampshire.co.uk