Sony iLink Reminder
 

When I got my EX-1 back today with the 1.11 firmware upgrade, there was a note attached reminding not to "hot swap" the camera with a firewire cable to computer. Both devices should be off when connecting both ends of the cable. If the camera gets fried, it's not covered under warranty. I actually think my Panasonic DV deck was fried this way. Repairing it would cost more than it's worth.

Hmmmm. I do it all the time and have for years without issues. I guess I'll have to be more careful.

I blew up my Z1 doing this. Was fixed under warranty.

Ian

The JVC HD100 had this issue.

It's not uncommon, and happened to my Z1 also. I always use a port isolator on the computer side now, as well as shutting off the camera before plugging or unplugging. The port isolator removes power from the firewire cable, so that takes care of power from the computer, but static can also arc across to the data pins as the connector enters or leaves the port, so turn the camera off first.

I'm pleased to say that Sony stood up and did the repair for free, even though I bought the camera used and it was long out of warranty. The original user manual incorrectly gave the sequence for plugging and unplugging, but even though they had redone the manual, I pointed out that the original one was still available for download from Sony's website the very day I took it in for repair.

That's so weird. Did they ever explain how you can fry a port when you are plugging an unpowered 4-pin connector to it?