I was probably one of the first to buy the HD1 when it hit the streets in Hong Kong (2 weeks prior to Japan release). Makes me wonder if I got an "early" batch as I have following problem:

In dim light, the video in the viewfinder as well as in recorded footage is different on the left and right side of the image. While the left side retains more contrast and vibrance, the right side looks washed out.

This problem only happens in video recording mode, not in still image mode and divides the screen 50-50.

After talking to Sanyo HK about this they will replace the main PCB, lens assembly etc...

I was just wondering if anybody else has observed similar problems...

Can't say I have, nope.

The dreaded SSE that the JVC 100 experienced????

Sounds like split-screen to me, a la HD100. I was an early adopter of the HD10 three years ago and regretted it within a month. Now, I always test, test, test, then read reviews.

That's why I love the Z1.

heath

Sounds like you are shooting video of a TV screen with the shutter greater than 1/60th or 1/50th, if 50Hz is your country's thang.

After shooting video all day, I had a problem once with two consecutive still shots being split vertically and generally weird looking. It has never happened again and I have used the camera quite a lot.

Thanks, I'll do some further research on that.

Problem is at least repeatable and the Sanyo service center will replace all relevent parts within 3-4 hours. Can't complain there - plus I got 18 months warranty (probably for that reason).

Otherwise I love the camera and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Much easier to schlepp around than my DVX100.

I know what you mean but that is not it. I only shoot outdoors and indoors and first sa the problem in a mixed light night sequence.

It is most prominent in a dim room with a low-contrast surface (such as a uni-color carpet or a wall).

Gut feel is like different amplification of the CCD...

Sounds like you are shooting video of a TV screen with the shutter greater than 1/60th or 1/50th, if 50Hz is your country's thang.

That sounds EXACTLY like what I am experiencing. I'll forward those descriptions to the service technician as I could not have put it in better words.

I only spend the weekend in HK so I need to prepare this repair-job as well as possible.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!!


The dreaded SSE that the JVC 100 experienced????

After shooting video all day, I had a problem once with two consecutive still shots being split vertically and generally weird looking. It has never happened again and I have used the camera quite a lot.

I have had this happen on my old Kodak digital camera... I suspect it's more a result of card corruption. In my case, I'd dropped my card when ejecting it; about 5 images were damaged if memory serves. Surprisingly, one of the images contained parts of the others!

I'm experiencing the exact same problem too and it's getting worse. I had bought my camera from ebay (which was shipped from HK). Daniel, I will be traveling to HK very soon and I noticed that you mentioned that sanyo will replace the PCB within 3-4 hours. Can you give me the contact information for Sanyo in HK? Also, what kind of documentation will they need to fix the camera?

BTW, have you fixed your camera yet? What was your experience?

Other than this weird CCD problem, I love the camera! ;)

Anyone had the same problem and did you get it fixed anywhere outside of Hong Kong? Thanks!

Ken, I have e-mailed you all the contact details.

Good luck with your repair, I am counting 3 verified cases of SSE so far: 2 are my old and "new after repair"...and yours. All bought in HK...

As I mentioned to you, Sanyo HK has shipped my camera's insides to Japan for further testing.

I'm experiencing the exact same problem too and it's getting worse. I had bought my camera from ebay (which was shipped from HK). Daniel, I will be traveling to HK very soon and I noticed that you mentioned that sanyo will replace the PCB within 3-4 hours. Can you give me the contact information for Sanyo in HK? Also, what kind of documentation will they need to fix the camera?

BTW, have you fixed your camera yet? What was your experience?

Other than this weird CCD problem, I love the camera! ;)

Anyone had the same problem and did you get it fixed anywhere outside of Hong Kong? Thanks!

Hello,
I just recently purchased the HD1 from eBay like you Ken. Mine shipped from HK as well. I noticed the same problem with my camera within 1-2 hours of use. In certain situations the screen is split down the center in color tone. Whenever I shine the camera into light it seems to go away.

I was wondering if you could let me know how your repair went and also send me the contact information for the HK service department. I love the camera, but this issue really bugs me.

I just got my HD1A, and I appear to be the lucky winner of a split screen version. Anyone get any closure on this? I'm going to try to return it. The place I got it from (WildDigital) is closed tomorrow... d'oh!

I believe it is a design defect (I have a USA version). It really really bothers me. Your only solution is to make sure your white balance settings are set accurately for your situation and that you never record higher than 100 ISO. The camera actually records brighter than the preview indicates. I would love to find out what the deal is with this, but I am just going to have to use this camera and eat the cost when a better unit becomes available. At that point we will probably use this for an everyday carrying around camera to catch spur of the moment type things.

If I were you, unless you really need to have a camera now I would return it. If you need to keep the camera for some reason, recording iso 50 or 100, even in low light, will control the fuzziness and mostly take care of the split screen problem. Always turn on all the lights indoors and do what you can to get the light level as high as possible.

The problem appears restricted to only some units. Mine has never produced split video. I recall many others trying to isolate the problem determining that most US models didn't seem to suffer from this flaw, so I'm rather certain this is limited to only some units.

I suspect this dual brightness may be explained by the dual imaging processors. If each were charged with recording half the video, and one was experiencing greater signal impedence, say from a bad solder joint or connector, it would be processing based on reduced input. One would naturally expect the video for that channel to be darker. If this theory is correct, it would explain why some say the problem is severe and others don't appear to suffer from it at all.