Anyone know if there is a hard reset button on the ex1? The camera is frozen at the xdcam start up screen and just turns itself on and off. I can't access the menu so the in-camera reset is not an option. Anyone else ever heard of this problem?

Yikes. A quick search of the owner's manual pdf didn't see any hardware reset.

Have you tried removing the battery and all the cards? Let it sit like that for five or ten minutes and try again.

Sorry to hear that your cam has lost its mind.

Help I just experienced tyhe same problem on a shoot. Tony did you find out what this was?

Perhaps removing the backup/settings battery would help?

where is that battery?

From page 125 of the manual:

1. Open the cover of the backup battery holder on the bottom by loosening the screw, and remove the battery. (Illustration: directly next to the tripod mounting plate)

2. Insert a new backup battery (CR2032) with the + symbol facing outside.

3. Attach the cover in the original position.

My Ex-1 will not boot.
The camera gets to the xdcam start up screen and then just turns itself off then on again over & over. I can't access the menu so the in-camera reset is not an option.
I have tried A/C & batts.
Tried starting with the switch set to media.
Tried changing the cr2032 battery ( I think I installed it correctly - it didn't seem to fit very well.

Help?

Lenny Levy

Try removing (rather than changing the internal battery) and leave it out for many minutes (even a day to sure but just a few minutes really might be enough). Turn the camera on/off during that time to ensure any residual charge is drained as well. Then reinstall the battery.

Craig,
Thanks for responding.
Do you know that will work or is it just a guess? Otherwise I am about to send it off for repair ASAP. I'll wait if its a pretty sure bet.

I already did leave the battery out for a good 1- 2 hours yesterday when I bought a new 2032. I found it tricky to get the replacement to lay in correctly though I eventually got it.

Lenny

It depends on whether the issue is software, firmware, hardware related. Not only is that not sure neither is Sony's repair. It all depends on whether you can try one more thing vs a possible 3 week turnaround by Sony.

I guess you removed all the SxS cards and tried it?
I would also try holding down the menu button, menu scroller, and cancel button when staring up. That's what I'd try...

Camera is at Sony guys. They don't know what's wrong with it yet. I'll let you know when I get it back. Apparently I'm not the only one with this problem...

Tried all of that stuff to no avail. Any ideas folks. For others who did the firmware upgrade yourself: does your battery still die if left on the camera.

Lenny Levy

The battery draining was corrected by a hardware fix (2 circuit boards replaced).

The firmware upgrade didn't do anything about the battery discharge problem. That requires a circuit board replacement.
Pete

Just as an update. After about a month and a half, I got the camera back today. Apparently the main board failed. Just happened out of nowhere. Anyways, everything is fixed and Sony gave the newest firmware, new circuit boards to fix the battery drain issue, and new outer camera pieces to fix the lettering falling off. It's better than new now!

Wow, six week turnaround. I thought it was bad at 3 weeks.

I had the same problem as Tony. Mine is at Sony now waiting for a backordered board that I was told costs $2K.

I'm up to a month now.

For that price they should fly you to the factory in Japan and fix it while you wait.

One certainly has to wonder about major board failures on non moving parts on something that isn't many years old.

I had the same problem as Tony. Mine is at Sony now waiting for a backordered board that I was told costs $2K.

I'm up to a month now.

You're #$^%&*() right I'm wondering.

Though truth is I had a major board failure on an HVX at about the same age.

Lenny

my camera froze and had to pull the battery to shut it off
I sent it to honolulu and the bench monkey said it had two corroded boards due to salt water. They could not find a trail where the water came in and said it was not under warranty because sony doesn't cover salt water. they wanted 600 to fix it. low hours on camera and it lived in a water proof pelican and never made a trip to the beach. I called sony customer service center in Florida and they said Honolulu is not authorized to repair EX-1s, get the camera back and send to LA. Apparently Teaneck and LA are the only places that can fix EX-1s.
i think the boards were corroded when they went into the camera
i have lost a lot of faith in Sony, but i will let you know how it plays out
aloha
tito

Hmm ... Tito,
I was also told corrosion due to salt water, though they may have confused salt on the handle with stuff left over from old gaffers tape. This wasn't actually from Sony but from a tech I sent it to try to avoid having to go to Sony. They had to send it Sony eventually anyway.
Likewise - no way was my camera exposed to salt water.

Interesting theory on your part that the board was corroded in the first place
What's your serial number ?
What were the boards?

If you want, send it to me as a private email.

Lenny

serial number is 112747
if there was salt water damage there would be a trail from where it came in.
if it came in there is a problem with the cover
this is what Dean emailed me and i think if any one knows how this camera works on or near the salt its him.

Hi Tito...


Would be interesting to see if there's any other evidence of salt
water or other fluid intrusion. To get inside the camera it has to
have touched other parts on the way in. Salt water in particular
leaves a trail.


If there's no evidence of intrusion, it would indicate that the boards
were contaminated prior to assembly.


Dean Sensui
Executive Producer
dean@HawaiiGoesFishing.com

Per this post. I just recently bought a used Sony Ex1. Upon using the camera the first day noticed the "Backup Battery Needs to be Changed" message.

Should I be concerned that the camera was sold to me defective. Is there anyway to correct this myself.

Tried several new batteries and firmware update.

Still have the error and clock reset on boot up.

Use internal Reset All function.
Then turn off camera and pull the internal battery.
Turn on and then off with NOTHING (internal or external battery) connected. That's just to make sure any residual power is drained.
Let it sit for a day. That should make sure it's fully drained.
Install the new internal battery and power the camera (can be external battery).
If you still have the problem then there is an issue with the camera, my guess.

Thanks for the info. Tried this over the weekend. No success, error remains. Camera is going back.

Turned on the EX3 today and it only shows the XDCam logo and reboots itself- infinitely even in media mode. I have tried all of the steps in this thread with no luck. I am in a humid location, but I have been in more severe conditions in salt water conditions for longer periods with no problems. Is there a hard reset button on the camera? I'm in Kauai and would like to continue capturing video while I'm here. Thanks.