I don't know what the subassembly is, unless it's one of the smaller circuit systems. I've had a V1 apart, and other than two small areas, it's pretty modular with a lot of connections.

Thanks anyway... one good thing while I was googling for more info on it, I ran across your "Inside the Sony HVR-V1U and HDR-FX7" and am ordering one.

--Ralph

NOW I'm starting to get a little irked. Sony has had my V1 for 28 days now. They told me the parts were in Monday and the camera would be fixed on Tuesday. This morning I checked and they had no idea WHEN it would be fixed. I asked for a call back from the technician working on it and was promised that. He never called. I checked at 5pm and he had gone home.

THIS is the broadcast repair depot?

I want my camera or a replacement SOON.

Thanks for letting me vent, guys. ;-)

--Ralph

you have every right! i don't think this reflects well on sony's commitment to prosumer / business categories at all...

sharing your annoyance,

leslie

Ralph, if it makes you feel any better, my camera came back last week, and although it was electronically repaired, there are two hairs and some moisture or oil spots inside the lens. :-(

Ouch! No, it does not make me feel better. I want Spotted Eagle to shoot much clear video. Just as I want to shoot much clear video of our very colorful leaf season here in the Great Smoky Mountains where my Cherokee ancestors once hunted and now scalp many tourists in their casino 24/7. Did you have to send it back, Douglas?

--Ralph

FRIDAY: Day 29

Still getting the run around. Monday they told me the parts were in... so far, that is the only info I can get out of Sony in Teaneck, NJ. I've requested three times (once yesterday and twice today) that the technician give me a report on exactly what is wrong. The nice lady I spoke to this evening said, yes, he was told to do that. I've requested a supervisor call now.

I have no idea what's going on, but this is definitely NOT good service from Sony.

--Ralph

Douglas,
Is it possible to take that lense off and clean it yourself or does it go back to Sony?

Ralph, Has your V1U saga reached any conclusion yet? I can't help thinking about your misfortune, old chap!

Thanks for the concern, Piotr... just called Sony again, see next message for details.

--Ralph

DAY 32:

Called Sony in Teaneck, NJ again this morning. Insisted on speaking with the engineer this time, since no one had called me back despite three requests last week.

Okay, he's a nice, conscientious guy and very forthcoming with details (finally)... they had worked on my camera for quite a while and could not fix it so finally he just replaced the main board and all the internal mechanism (essentially, jacked up the case and put a new camera in it, which is fine by me). This was completed on Friday and the camera was working so he signed off on it.

But... no camera yet!

Since it was so extensively rebuilt, it requires total recalibration. NOW the problem is THEIR calibration software is not working (that should cause a few delays as calibration is kinda important in repairing broadcast equipment).... but, as soon as their stuff is fixed they will finish fixing my stuff and send the camera. ... no one would or could say when.

To summarize: camera fixed, repair facility broken.

<*sigh*>

--Ralph

Day 34:

Now nobody knows anything about anything up there. What the engineer told me about THEIR recalibration system being broken now no one will talk about. Was promised (for the 5th time since last Thursday) a "call back." No one ever calls back.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH SONY?

I have a job this weekend that I took because who would think Sony's broadcast repair center would take more than 34 days to fix a V1? I guess the trusty old HC1 can handle it or I can rent a V1, durn it.

This is causing me to reconsider ordering the EX which I was once all excited about ... doesn't matter how good the camera is if the repair service is pathetic. And this is an in-warranty cam.

grrrrrr.

--Ralph

34 days?! Dang. Have you tried talking to management?

heath

yup... been promised a callback FIVE times since Thursday, still no call from supervisor.

--Ralph

Sheesh, this is so NOT like Sony. Hmmm...Work your way up the chain.

heath