Where to send Vx2000 for head replacement? at DVinfo.net

Alex Amira · July 30th, 2007, 08:27 PM

Hi,

My Vx2000 is starting to show the audio dropout issue combined with the block of pixels moving across the image. Ran cleaning tape but I know that the heads need to be replaced. I did a search and most people send it to Sony but the price is out there. I remember in the past I read about some other great places but can't find the threads.

The only guy I found is Dadu:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Repair-SONY-VX10...QQcmdZViewItem

He wants $370 and he ships it back insured ground.

His description is a bit odd as it says local pickup but then he ships it back.
I wonder if this is on the level.

Thanks.

Richard Zlamany · July 30th, 2007, 08:52 PM

Maybe you are thinking of Armatos.

http://www.armatosvideo.com/

Alex Amira · July 31st, 2007, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Zlamany

Maybe you are thinking of Armatos.

http://www.armatosvideo.com/

Thanks Richard. Armatos was one of the ones I was looking for. I sent them an e-mail to get a price quote.

Don Bloom · July 31st, 2007, 06:10 AM

it's my understanding they will only give you an estimate on the camera AFTER they have looked at it. Then you decide to GO or NO GO on the repair. While I don't like that it's fair - they're the repair guys and can figure out exactly whats wrong while WE think it's this or that they know it's something else. Perhaps they've changed their policy but as of late last year that's what they told me on the phone.

I sent one of my cameras to Sony-1450 hours and the heads nneded to be replaced.
They did that, replaced the ON/OFF switch and the menu wheel (the cam is old and gets lots of use) and shipped it back to me for the flat rate of $575.00. Now while it may seem a lot FIRST I kbnow it's going to get done right (at least believe so since they made the camera) and 2nd, I know EXACTLY how much it's going to cost up front. OH yeah, I had the camera back in my hands in 7 business days. I think thats pretty good.

Don

Alex Amira · July 31st, 2007, 06:17 AM

Thanks Don. If that is the case I may try to find someone else. I remember the going price was about $300-400 for the heads and $800 if Sony did it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

it's my understanding they will only give you an estimate on the camera AFTER they have looked at it. Then you decide to GO or NO GO on the repair. While I don't like that it's fair - they're the repair guys and can figure out exactly whats wrong while WE think it's this or that they know it's something else. Perhaps they've changed their policy but as of late last year that's what they told me on the phone.

I sent one of my cameras to Sony-1450 hours and the heads nneded to be replaced.
They did that, replaced the ON/OFF switch and the menu wheel (the cam is old and gets lots of use) and shipped it back to me for the flat rate of $575.00. Now while it may seem a lot FIRST I kbnow it's going to get done right (at least believe so since they made the camera) and 2nd, I know EXACTLY how much it's going to cost up front. OH yeah, I had the camera back in my hands in 7 business days. I think thats pretty good.

Don

Alex Amira · July 31st, 2007, 10:59 AM

I was thinking at $600 would I not be better off to get a firestore instead of fixing the video heads?

Don Bloom · July 31st, 2007, 01:01 PM

Perhaps but personally I don't trust the firestores. I've heard too many horror stories about it stopping in the middle of a shoot or some other such problem, but then I'm kind of old fashioned. Plus there may be times when tape is the proper medium. For example, shooting some sort of corporate gig where the client wants the tapes not an edited product.

If it were me I would get the camera fixed and then if you wanted the FS you still have the ability to back up to tape.

Just my opinion but it's your money and your gear. ;-)

Don

Alex Amira · July 31st, 2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Bloom

Perhaps but personally I don't trust the firestores. I've heard too many horror stories about it stopping in the middle of a shoot or some other such problem, but then I'm kind of old fashioned. Plus there may be times when tape is the proper medium. For example, shooting some sort of corporate gig where the client wants the tapes not an edited product.

If it were me I would get the camera fixed and then if you wanted the FS you still have the ability to back up to tape.

Just my opinion but it's your money and your gear. ;-)

Don

Makes sense. I will go with the head replacement. Still waiting to hear back from Armatos. I will give them a call tomorrow.

Craig Seeman · July 31st, 2007, 10:38 PM

Just got my PD-170 back from Armato's today. Just the headphone jack. $280. I think they're great. Absolutely nice honest folks who stand behind and in front of their work.

Alex Amira · August 1st, 2007, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Seeman

Just got my PD-170 back from Armato's today. Just the headphone jack. $280. I think they're great. Absolutely nice honest folks who stand behind and in front of their work.

Good to hear it.

I got their phone number and will cal them today.

Did you take yours there in person or ship it?

Craig Seeman · August 1st, 2007, 08:46 AM

In my case I brought it in person. I live about 2 miles from them. I've used their services before so I can attest to their repeated good service. Absolutely the most upright service people I've ever had to deal with. Although I haven't bought equipment from them, they even have a policy that if you buy from them and your gear takes more than 48 hours to repair, they'll give you a loaners. That's even if the unit is out of warranty and that policy is free. In one case, they were willing to offer me something since the repair was over 48 hours and I had a shoot (even though I hadn't bought the camera from them). They rushed the repair for me. They'll do that and there's no rush charge. Amazing that a business is built around good service in this day and age!

J. Stephen McDonald · August 6th, 2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Seeman

Amazing that a business is built around good service in this day and age!

That's why they keep getting referrals from their customers and attract business from far and wide. What's amazing is that more shops don't figure out that this is the formula for success.

Richard Zlamany · August 6th, 2007, 02:00 PM

I may buy from Armatos next time, since having a loaner is a huge advantage that I wish I had right now as my pd170 sits in a Sony repair center.

Don Bloom · August 6th, 2007, 03:28 PM

How long has it been there (at Sony)

I very recently sent in a PD150 well out of warranty, had the heads and transport replaced, the on/off switch and the menu wheel replaced, they tightened up the LCD and I had the camera 8 days after I sent it in. Granted I sent it 2 day UPS but I still had it back 8 days later. Probably spent a bit more than Armatos but it was a flat fee and the yfixed 2 things I didn't even tell them to fix for the same cost. Honestly I had great luck with both Sony and JVC repair facilities.

Don

Richard Zlamany · August 6th, 2007, 03:35 PM

I drove out there and dropped it off a week ago.

July 30th, 2007, 08:27 PM	#1
Alex Amira Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Muncie, IN Posts: 74	Where to send Vx2000 for head replacement? Hi, My Vx2000 is starting to show the audio dropout issue combined with the block of pixels moving across the image. Ran cleaning tape but I know that the heads need to be replaced. I did a search and most people send it to Sony but the price is out there. I remember in the past I read about some other great places but can't find the threads. The only guy I found is Dadu: http://cgi.ebay.com/Repair-SONY-VX10...QQcmdZViewItem He wants $370 and he ships it back insured ground. His description is a bit odd as it says local pickup but then he ships it back. I wonder if this is on the level. Thanks. Last edited by Alex Amira; July 31st, 2007 at 05:50 AM. Reason: spelling

August 6th, 2007, 02:00 PM	#13
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	I may buy from Armatos next time, since having a loaner is a huge advantage that I wish I had right now as my pd170 sits in a Sony repair center. Last edited by Richard Zlamany; August 6th, 2007 at 03:36 PM.

August 6th, 2007, 03:28 PM	#14
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	How long has it been there (at Sony) I very recently sent in a PD150 well out of warranty, had the heads and transport replaced, the on/off switch and the menu wheel replaced, they tightened up the LCD and I had the camera 8 days after I sent it in. Granted I sent it 2 day UPS but I still had it back 8 days later. Probably spent a bit more than Armatos but it was a flat fee and the yfixed 2 things I didn't even tell them to fix for the same cost. Honestly I had great luck with both Sony and JVC repair facilities. Don Last edited by Don Bloom; August 6th, 2007 at 03:29 PM. Reason: speeling error

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July 30th, 2007, 08:52 PM	#2
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	Maybe you are thinking of Armatos. http://www.armatosvideo.com/

July 31st, 2007, 06:10 AM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	it's my understanding they will only give you an estimate on the camera AFTER they have looked at it. Then you decide to GO or NO GO on the repair. While I don't like that it's fair - they're the repair guys and can figure out exactly whats wrong while WE think it's this or that they know it's something else. Perhaps they've changed their policy but as of late last year that's what they told me on the phone. I sent one of my cameras to Sony-1450 hours and the heads nneded to be replaced. They did that, replaced the ON/OFF switch and the menu wheel (the cam is old and gets lots of use) and shipped it back to me for the flat rate of $575.00. Now while it may seem a lot FIRST I kbnow it's going to get done right (at least believe so since they made the camera) and 2nd, I know EXACTLY how much it's going to cost up front. OH yeah, I had the camera back in my hands in 7 business days. I think thats pretty good. Don

July 31st, 2007, 10:59 AM	#6
Alex Amira Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Muncie, IN Posts: 74	I was thinking at $600 would I not be better off to get a firestore instead of fixing the video heads?

July 31st, 2007, 01:01 PM	#7
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Perhaps but personally I don't trust the firestores. I've heard too many horror stories about it stopping in the middle of a shoot or some other such problem, but then I'm kind of old fashioned. Plus there may be times when tape is the proper medium. For example, shooting some sort of corporate gig where the client wants the tapes not an edited product. If it were me I would get the camera fixed and then if you wanted the FS you still have the ability to back up to tape. Just my opinion but it's your money and your gear. ;-) Don

July 31st, 2007, 10:38 PM	#9
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	Just got my PD-170 back from Armato's today. Just the headphone jack. $280. I think they're great. Absolutely nice honest folks who stand behind and in front of their work.

August 1st, 2007, 08:46 AM	#11
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	In my case I brought it in person. I live about 2 miles from them. I've used their services before so I can attest to their repeated good service. Absolutely the most upright service people I've ever had to deal with. Although I haven't bought equipment from them, they even have a policy that if you buy from them and your gear takes more than 48 hours to repair, they'll give you a loaners. That's even if the unit is out of warranty and that policy is free. In one case, they were willing to offer me something since the repair was over 48 hours and I had a shoot (even though I hadn't bought the camera from them). They rushed the repair for me. They'll do that and there's no rush charge. Amazing that a business is built around good service in this day and age!

August 6th, 2007, 03:35 PM	#15
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	I drove out there and dropped it off a week ago.