URK! Error C31:30
 

My V1U bit the dust yesterday (I've had it less than two months). Put a new blank tape in and got Error C31:30 ... tape won't come out. Called Sony this morning and when I reported the error, the tech guy couldn't tell me what was wrong just that "it's one of the errors that require you to send the camera in."

15 business days turn around!!!! so it's back to the HC1 and XL2 for awhile (*sigh*).

Other than the low mike audio (which I mentioned several times on this board, as have others) the V1 has done and EXCELLENT job for us. I shot four great hours of video this Labor Day weekend for two TV shows... thank goodness, I got all my footage.

Speaking of the audio, since they will have my cam for 15 days, I asked Sony to check it as well... will post results.

did I mention (*sigh*)? ... I miss my cam already and UPS hasn't even got here to pick it up.

what bothers me most is the 15 business day turnaround... just how many problems are they having?

(*sigh*)

--Ralph

but Saturday, I got a wonderful 2-hour interview with a World War II veteran and Silver Star winner who was a Japanese POW for most of the war. At the end of the war, when the camp was liberated, he took the Samurai sword from the camp commandant... he still has it and is NOT ready to give it back (the Japanese have been trying to repatriate these swords). ... a truly wonderful, powerful, and very emotional accounting... and the V1U captured it grandly.

Frame grab attached.

Did I mention I miss my V1U?

(*sigh*)

--Ralph

and Sunday we shot some more waterfalls for our "Waterfalls of the Southern Highlands" series.

Attached, a grab of Whiteoak Creek Falls high up in the mountains of Yancey County, North Carolina in the Blue Ridge.

Did I mention I miss my V1U?

(*sigh*)

It's doing a MIGHTY FINE job (except for the audio... luckily waterfalls are LOUD<g>).

--Ralph

Ralph,
Sorry to hear about your V1. How will the WWII vet interview be used?

Thanks, Lee... Interview is the pilot for a new show.

--Ralph

Ralph What format did you shoot the footage in?

1080, 60i, Brian

I can relate to your story. I had to send my V1 in for repair in June and it was a L-O-N-G 2 weeks, closer to 3 actually. I sent it to the Teaneck, NJ facility and while they did a great job fixing it (I had an unresponsive iris control) the lack of communication is tough. They never told me they received it, never gave me an idea of how long it would take, what was wrong or when it WAS fixed, any indication it was done and it would ship, no shipping info.....nada. I ended up calling 2 weeks in, found out they DID have it, and it needed parts. That's the only contact I had! Then about a week later it showed up via fed-ex!

Very frustrating customer service.

But....it was fixed and was covered under warranty. Good luck, hope you have a better customer service then I did!

Ralph,

Off topic but the waterfall shot looks like you used a wide angle adaptor, which one do you use? The Vet looks like the stock lens, no attachment correct?

I can't find a WA that is satisfactory to me. The Century I had was WAY to distorted and blurred. Your's looks a little better but I'm wondering what one it is?

Thanks, Paul... and, yes, my cam is wending it's way Next Day to Teaneck.

I'm a little embarrassed I took that particular frame grab; yes it's a wide angle (and, yes, the first photo was the stock lens). ... The waterfall is from a Raynoc, which works quite well as long as you remember not to push the zoom out too far (as I did in that shot--obviously, it will never see the show<g> since I got lots of other and better footage).

--Ralph

Thanks for the info Ralph, which Raynoc? Also be sure to call on your cam, they WILL NOT call you. However on the plus side, when you call you get an honest to god real human to pick up on the first ring (during business hours), quite refreshing in this day and age!

Thanks, Paul.

My wide angle is a 0.7 Raynox wideangle, HD-7062PRO.

Overall (for under $200) I consider it a great buy.

Here's a test I posted on Google Video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...37309791032666

--Ralph

Camera has arrived in Teaneck, NJ and been signed for by Mr. Ruiz.

Now... the waiting begins.

Ralph,

I feel your pain--I went through something with an Apple computer a while back. You'll be back and up and running before you know it. Glad you have a backup camera.

heath

Thanks, Heath.

Yep, backup cameras are GOOD ta have. ;-)