Ralph, I wold really like to view your videos,but every time I try on Googel I get "this video is currently unavalible" . Do you have any on another host? Or do you know why they cant be viewed?

Hi John and thanks for your interest... not sure what the problem might be for you... I get all these fine:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?...h%27s+Stuff%22

You might check http://ralphwroberts.com ... while some of the videos there are linked to Google or YouTube, some do stream off my server.

--Ralph

Continuing the Saga of the Broken V1 ... five days now without the V1. I am having withdrawal symptoms.

Let us hope the repair elves at the Sony depot in Teaneck, NJ are busily forging new parts to fix my cam.

(*sigh*)

Seven days now without my V1U .... (*shudder*)

It would be nice if Sony was a bit faster on repair.

--Ralph

in the continuing saga...

I broke down and called the Sony Service Center today. They answered quickly and were very nice. My camera is there and "being diagnosed." The polite lady said she was told I should call back later in the week for more detailed info.

keeping fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.

--Ralph

I feel, or felt your pain! When I finally called they said they were waiting on parts. About a week later it showed up on my door!

Don't expect a shipping notice.

Wow, I have been watching this thread. I hope you get yours back soon ralph!

I have the HC7 service manual (thanks Dave) and the error means "FG Fault when starting capstan". I'm guessing it's got to be due to the tape drive starting to get faulty.

Thanks, Jack ... but that's not too reassuring about the quality of the V1. I've had it less than two months and the usage has been reasonably light.

--Ralph

has anyone posted or ever compiled a sony error message index?

leslie

Just called Sony in New Jersey to check on my V1U.

I'm told they are running behind on repair. My V1 was logged in on the 6th but they will not get to it until late next week (*arrrgh*) and I "might" get it back the week after that.

Pray your V1 does not break, evidently several have.


(did I mention *arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!* ?)

--Ralph

I believe it's a shift in numbers of repair people available, not how many V1's have been repaired. I've got one in for repair now too, having dropped it from a reasonable height. Hoping to see it come home soon.

OUCH! .... er... do they bounce?

I've had tripods flip over twice on concrete with my HC1 and it's not even scratched. ;-) ... but I did invest in some sandbags.

--Ralph

Ralph, while I appreciate your frustration having to wait for the camera to be sent back repaired, I'd really not jump on conclusions like this. To me, the quality of the V1 is superb. It feels so solid and confident in your hands... I spent quite a lot of time trying to make up my mind between the V1 and Canon A1; and you know what? The Canon simply felt cheap by comparison! Just take a look on the Canon forum; how many people are reporting incidents of:

- iris ring stopping working
- focus ring stopping working
- camera refusing loading tape
- mic holder falling off
- picture adopting the Van Gough style of colours

etc,etc...

Well, when I was testing the Canon, it just broke down as well. Compared to that, the V1 (and most of Sony products in general) is very high quality indeed!

Yes, just like people, cameras bounce when dropped from a height. Unlike people, my camera survived, but my lens has a grind, the mic clip is gone, and some damage to the tape door. it's not a warranty repair. :-)

ALL camcorders from any manufacturer may have problems from time to time. Canon, Sony, Grass Valley, Panasonic, JVC...all have challenges on occasion. The V1 is an exceptional camera in its class, and is used in one of the most difficult environments in the world on a fairly consistent basis (on a crab-ship for Discovery).