Getting ready to pick up a PD-170, barring the sale of my DVX100 and/or GL-1 go through. Was wondering:

1) Will the new closable lense cap built into the 170 hood will work with a UV filter added?

2) After what serial # range are the audio problems fixed?

the uv filter, yes it will fit. i have a b+w on mine. i can't help you with the audio.

I'm pretty sure that the seriel numbers applied to the PAL versions only. Here's a quote from the Global DV group site:

"All new shipped PD170's starting Januari 20, 2004 with seriel number 1213500 and up, will have a modification and according to this report have better signal/noise ratio than DSR-PD150. For buyers with this audioproblem in Holland with a Silversupport guarantee Sony will offer a free modification. For the rest of the world please contact your local Sony repaircenter."

I'm just not sure how the seriel numbers affect the ENG versions.
I can personally vouch for a quick "no hassles" fix from Sony. I bought my 170 in mid December. I had the audio problem. Contacted Sony, got a repair authorization. Sent it in, got it fixed and returned in a few days with no hassle. It's quiet as can be now. Great camera.

Tony Z
New Genesis Productions

Glenn, when you order your PD170, you may want to ask about your concerns. As far as I know, it was only the early PAL PD170's which had a slight audio problem, when opening the LCD.

Actually mine was a US version with the lcd screen problem, but it was repaired as I described above.

Tony Z
New Genesis Productions

Thanks, Tony. That's the first I heard of US models having this problem. I don't know why Sony didn't catch that glitch before they released it. Remember the PD100? and the PD100A? The PD100 was only on the market for a short time before being replaced with "A" version. :-))