My FX1 stopped working. :(

Allen Lu · October 18th, 2005, 02:13 PM

A thread referred to this thread and this thread still doesnt have a summary of what caused this issue.

May I summarize, if I got this correct?

Dont leave the cam plugged in to AC power, even though this is the way to charge a battery. Get an external charger.

Has anyone thought about the coin battery inside that keeps the time of day and settings? If that went out what will the cam do?

Also for those unfortunate ones that had the FX1 die on them, what battery were you using?

Gary Smith · October 18th, 2005, 02:43 PM

When Sony repaired my dead FX-1 there was no information packaged with the camera as to what repair work was done.

Not sure what would happen if the small watch battery died. Is it easy to change?

I was using the stock battery that came with the camera when mine died.

Heath McKnight · October 30th, 2005, 10:55 AM

Remember one thing...Sony consumer is repairing your FX1 (or HC1) and Sony Broadcast (pros) is repairing your Z1 or A1.

heath

Tom Roper · October 30th, 2005, 11:46 AM

The viewfinder on my 2 week old HVR-Z1U quit working on Friday. I'm sort of heartbroken. The rest of the cam still works and it made some beautiful vids.

I'm going to call Sony tomorrow to handle the repair. Though I purchased it through B&H, my customer experience with them was not particularly satisfying, the many recommendations about them to the contrary.

Heath McKnight · October 30th, 2005, 12:16 PM

I'm a big fan of buying at a pro dealer.

heath

George Griswold · October 30th, 2005, 01:03 PM

Dear Tom Roper... There is a menu option to turn off the LCD (I think) or to have both viewfinder and LCD. May want to check that.

Tom Roper · October 30th, 2005, 01:18 PM

I tried that George, also the reset. The backlight works. It lights up, gives a solid, bluish-white viewfinder, but no image, graphics or text.

George Griswold · October 30th, 2005, 08:18 PM

Dear Tim, That stinks.
Have you tried a bit of "percussive maintenance" (sp)-- a few taps (sharp blows) on the screen or nearby areas, or twist the heck out of the swivel-- maybe a funky ribbon cable. What do you have to lose?

George

Tom Roper · October 30th, 2005, 11:23 PM

No, after only 2 weeks it should be covered under the factory warranty parts and labor. I would not chance getting that denied for abuse.

Victor Muh · March 10th, 2006, 08:04 AM

This is a known issue with the Z1 as I have had the unfortunate experience of discovering... twice. 2 Sony Z1 cameras in a week's time have failed on me for no apparent reason.

Anyone interested in filing a class action lawsuit with me?

I'm in the middle of 3 shoots!

Gary Smith · March 10th, 2006, 08:22 AM

Victor; I agree that this has to be a known issue at Sony. Too many occurences for it to make it under the radar. I think Sony has planned this to sell more batteries. I had to buy several more batteries to keep from using AC power. I will sign on in a class action, although I don't have any funds to help out. I will support you any way I can.

Victor Muh · March 10th, 2006, 09:23 AM

It IS a known issue. I spoke with someone who has a memo stating such. Now, the problem is getting them to release the memo. The defect appears in the early Z1 models.

Gary Smith · March 10th, 2006, 10:14 AM

The issue also showed up in the HDR-FX1 models.

Boyd Ostroff · March 10th, 2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

I think Sony has planned this to sell more batteries. I had to buy several more batteries to keep from using AC power. I will sign on in a class action

Now that sounds a little like conspiracy theory ;-) There may be a defect, but I haven't seen enough firsthand reports to indicate that it's widespread. I'm no lawyer, but I think you have to show that you've been personally damaged before becoming part of a class action suit.

Joe Lumbroso · March 10th, 2006, 02:54 PM

Hrm.. if I sue Sony I can finally afford all those cool Sony products I've been wanting to add to the temple of Sony that is my house.

October 18th, 2005, 02:13 PM	#31
Allen Lu Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 65	Summary is mixed A thread referred to this thread and this thread still doesnt have a summary of what caused this issue. May I summarize, if I got this correct? Dont leave the cam plugged in to AC power, even though this is the way to charge a battery. Get an external charger. Has anyone thought about the coin battery inside that keeps the time of day and settings? If that went out what will the cam do? Also for those unfortunate ones that had the FX1 die on them, what battery were you using?

October 18th, 2005, 02:43 PM	#32
Gary Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Berryville, Va. 22611 Posts: 28	FX-1 repair feedback etc.. When Sony repaired my dead FX-1 there was no information packaged with the camera as to what repair work was done. Not sure what would happen if the small watch battery died. Is it easy to change? I was using the stock battery that came with the camera when mine died. __________________ Gary Smith

October 30th, 2005, 10:55 AM	#33
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Remember one thing...Sony consumer is repairing your FX1 (or HC1) and Sony Broadcast (pros) is repairing your Z1 or A1. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

October 30th, 2005, 12:16 PM	#35
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I'm a big fan of buying at a pro dealer. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

October 30th, 2005, 01:03 PM	#36
George Griswold Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 218	Dead LCD Dear Tom Roper... There is a menu option to turn off the LCD (I think) or to have both viewfinder and LCD. May want to check that. __________________ George T. Griswold, Jr. www.videonow.info New Orleans

October 30th, 2005, 11:46 AM	#34
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	The viewfinder on my 2 week old HVR-Z1U quit working on Friday. I'm sort of heartbroken. The rest of the cam still works and it made some beautiful vids. I'm going to call Sony tomorrow to handle the repair. Though I purchased it through B&H, my customer experience with them was not particularly satisfying, the many recommendations about them to the contrary.

October 30th, 2005, 01:18 PM	#37
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	I tried that George, also the reset. The backlight works. It lights up, gives a solid, bluish-white viewfinder, but no image, graphics or text.

October 30th, 2005, 08:18 PM	#38
George Griswold Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 218	Dear Tim, That stinks. Have you tried a bit of "percussive maintenance" (sp)-- a few taps (sharp blows) on the screen or nearby areas, or twist the heck out of the swivel-- maybe a funky ribbon cable. What do you have to lose? George __________________ George T. Griswold, Jr. www.videonow.info New Orleans

October 30th, 2005, 11:23 PM	#39
Tom Roper Trustee Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,891	No, after only 2 weeks it should be covered under the factory warranty parts and labor. I would not chance getting that denied for abuse.

March 10th, 2006, 08:04 AM	#40
Victor Muh Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Paris, France Posts: 126	This is a known issue with the Z1 as I have had the unfortunate experience of discovering... twice. 2 Sony Z1 cameras in a week's time have failed on me for no apparent reason. Anyone interested in filing a class action lawsuit with me? I'm in the middle of 3 shoots! __________________ Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. - Albert Einstein http://advaloreminternational.com

March 10th, 2006, 08:22 AM	#41
Gary Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Berryville, Va. 22611 Posts: 28	Class action law suit Victor; I agree that this has to be a known issue at Sony. Too many occurences for it to make it under the radar. I think Sony has planned this to sell more batteries. I had to buy several more batteries to keep from using AC power. I will sign on in a class action, although I don't have any funds to help out. I will support you any way I can. __________________ Gary Smith

March 10th, 2006, 09:23 AM	#42
Victor Muh Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Paris, France Posts: 126	It IS a known issue. I spoke with someone who has a memo stating such. Now, the problem is getting them to release the memo. The defect appears in the early Z1 models. __________________ Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. - Albert Einstein http://advaloreminternational.com

March 10th, 2006, 10:14 AM	#43
Gary Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Berryville, Va. 22611 Posts: 28	Also FX1 The issue also showed up in the HDR-FX1 models. __________________ Gary Smith

March 10th, 2006, 02:54 PM	#45
Joe Lumbroso Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 110	Hrm.. if I sue Sony I can finally afford all those cool Sony products I've been wanting to add to the temple of Sony that is my house. __________________ Brilliant Champions \| Gallery Hijinks