Hi
Here you can find serial numbers of stolen Sony cameraes like the PMW-500. A hole truck with Sony stuff is missing in Europe.
Så gik det også ud over Sony - Branchens mødested (http://mir.dk/spip.php?article6710)

You know, that brings up a thought I had about stolen cameras. Of course, you should have it insured for just that reason, but dammit, I want the theives caught. How difficult would it be for Sony to install anti-theft GPS circuitry in these enormously expensive cameras? Or even offer as an option? The same circuitry can be included in I-Phones and I-Pads....why not cameras?
Sony, are you listening? (no).

Patrick McLoad

Not difficult at all really, it can be done on your pet...

A relatively cheap and simple chip that can be detected at airports, etc and if police suspect something they can always scan it for the chip - like a pet.

I would think that an Authorized Sony dealer / repair facility would be able to insert and bond into the inside of a camera case a chip of the same nature. It just takes organising, but who's going to take the lead?
As as far as I am aware, the chips are inert, don't need batteries, transmit nothing and are silent so they should not interfere with the camera's use.

Not a bad thought Dave, but like you say, a pet capsule requires a scanner and someone to scan it. I'd rather have something like a LoJack that can be located anywhere/everywhere.
The technology is there.
http://www.absolute.com/en/lojackforlaptops/home.aspx


P

How difficult would it be for Sony to install anti-theft GPS circuitry in these enormously expensive cameras?

the ethics are simply mind-boggling IMO.

RFIDs are quite cheap to produce and they can even be scanned from space as far as i know. but i'm inclined to suppose that they're far too exploitable a technology. i know less about GPS stuff, but it still stand that the same technology used to locate your stolen stuff can be ever so easily used to make stealing it that much more a targeted and efficient endeavor.

...my (former) repair facility managed to loose 40+ cameras in one shipment (including one of mine). their compensation offer seemed like a decent plan initially... that is until they started their bargaining at 100% less than the than the repair costs i'd already paid them... never mind the value of the camera. the postal system in holland has plunged well below 3rd world standards since privatization kicked in. really.


...i'm reminded of a reported scam, perhaps urban legend, where some dudes were randomly approached by an 'off-the-back-of-a-truck' sales pitch in a parking-lot. the deal was for a ridiculously underpriced 3-chip prosumer camera, new in box. after taking the bait they discovered that the 'camera' they had bought was in fact a fully convincing plastic replica, perhaps even a genuine case with nothing but a brick for its interior.

Hmmm...interesting....never thought of it being a two-way street.
How about a numerical pad on the side of the camera that requires a personal code before operating?
Might not stop theft, but could slow it down.

Patrick McLoad

How about a numerical pad on the side of the camera that requires a personal code before operating?
Might not stop theft, but could slow it down.

well this would of course slow you down as much as it would slow them, if you get my meaning.
i've been following the 'bio-metrics' industry with some interest but i still can't get past the idea that for every technological solution created there comes a host of new problems as a result.

Yes, after giving it some thought, I would just as soon not have a numeric pad on my camera as well, given the propensity for Sony electronics to go awry.

P

With an iPhone you can render the phone useless with a little app. If the phone gets stolen the app you have bought can be initialised and it knackers the phone - apparently.

Maybe if this were the case for cameras - the thefts would stop - as each original camera owner just knackered the camera after it was stolen, pointless stealing it..?

You'd only officially be able to get the camera repaired and working agian at a dealer centre and a centre taking such a camera in is going to look at the registered owner to give it back to..

As with everyone else here, I think something has to be done.. but it needs commitment from someone like Sony or Canon or JVC or all of them as a collaboration - they all do have the capability - they need to learn to care enough.. IMHO

As with everyone else here, I think something has to be done.. but it needs commitment from someone like Sony or Canon or JVC or all of them as a collaboration - they all do have the capability - they need to learn to care enough.. IMHO

Why should they?

It's sad, but the situation is a win for manufacturers (of cameras, cars, and all other steal-able goods).

The dealer was certainly insured, so they'll get their money back and buy another truckload of cameras.

And those stolen ones will certainly not limit the market for new cameras of that kind, as nobody serious would buy a "fishy" broadcast equipment...They will end up in hands of those low-profile ones who are after such opportunities.

All in all, this means more sales for the manufacturer. And the ethics? Well... didn't I just say it's sad...

We've all known that cycle for years and while it is sad it is also in this day and age preventable - if the manufacturers learned to care enough. Why should they?? Why shouldn't they?
If they were the one's to lose out they'd soon bleat, and after bleating they'd do something about it.

Why is it decent upstanding citizens (the individuals in life) who never get back for a camera what they've paid for it from an insurance claim always be the one's to lose out because a manufacturer doesn't care enough to embrace available technology?

You are right, all the time they win - they will not learn to care..

Enough of the manufacture bashing. Yes, they can do a more but I would rather they spent their time developing better functions and solving know issues. Surely the responsibility for looking after gear should be down to you. Make sure it is well insured and don't leave it in unsecured places.

You wanna tell that to the lorry driver in Holland...? lol