Do we need the Sony EXTENDED WARRANTY on the PDX10 at DVinfo.net

Ronald Lee · March 10th, 2004, 12:40 PM

Hi,

In Canada, the factory warranty on the PDX10 is 1 year. However, we can purchase and additional 3 (or five?) years from Sony (for cough, 1/6 of the price of the camera, cough).

Do we need this? I was set on getting this extended warranty, as if anything goes wrong with it, I don't want to be smacked with a huge bill, BUT consumer reports rates these types of cameras as being very reliable.

I haven't heard many stories of Sony products failing as well.

Reason I'm asking? I can get the PDX10 from the US (ok, off ebay - but I check, they are an authorized dealer) with a full accessory package for the same price as what I pay for just the camera here.

Boyd Ostroff · March 10th, 2004, 12:51 PM

I did not buy the extended warranty, and after using the camera for a year have had no problems. But you have to make your own judgements on cost vs risk. Basically it's like an insurance policy.

Tommy Haupfear · March 10th, 2004, 02:51 PM

Be careful about getting your cam off of eBay. Sony's list of authorized Internet dealers is very short.

http://www.sel.sony.com/cgi-bin/SEL/...gi/aid_list.pl

As for the warranty. I usually pass on these due to their high price but if its under $100 for a few extra years then I will definitely give it a second thought.

Why not put the money of the overpriced warranties (for all of your electronics) into a savings account. The odds are in your favor that you'll never have to touch it!

Boyd Ostroff · March 10th, 2004, 03:02 PM

Tommy: your point is well taken, but that list is for Sony consumer products. I believe that the PDX-10 is part of the broadcast/pro line which is handled differently. Many (if not most) of the dealers on that list would not carry the PDX-10 or PD-170.

Tommy Haupfear · March 10th, 2004, 04:32 PM

Interesting point Boyd.

Using this link you can look up brick and mortar resellers for Sony Pro gear but it doesn't seem to list websites so it makes you wonder who is authorized to sell DVCAM online.

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professiona...sp=11&id=65263

I would still stick with B&H.

Ronald Lee · March 12th, 2004, 02:45 PM

So then I take it that no one here has had problems with the PDX10 after their 6 month or 1 year warranty expired?

I don't have to worry that in 3 years something would go wrong where I would need the extended warranty?

Chris Long · March 12th, 2004, 05:34 PM

After MUCH thought, I chose not to purchase an extended warranty for my PDX-10. I haven't had a problem of any kind in the past 9 months. It's very well-made.

One thing that influenced my decision is that if you purchase with a Visa credit card (I did) it will automatically double the length of the manufacturers warranty. Not sure if this applies to Canada, but it's worth looking into if you are going to purchase with a Visa card.

I bought mine through B and H, and was VERY glad I did after a friend was dragged through a horrible experience by another dealer, Broadway Photo. Avoid them at all costs (no pun intended)

Wherever you buy, check out the overall rating of the dealer at http://www.resellerratings.com You'll be glad you did.

Patrick Grealy · March 13th, 2004, 06:05 AM

Interestingly, in Europe, a Pxd10 or other cams like the PD170 is covered by a SILVER warrenty which lasts 2 years and includes a replacement camera during the repair process.

This is the continuously mentioned by authorised dealers who say that the "grey' imports sold by non authorised dealers do not have this silver 2 year warranty and justify theor higher prices on this basis.

The price difference can often be in the order of $300.

Regards P

Lambis Stratoudakis · March 13th, 2004, 10:43 AM

2 years Silver Support in Europe for all Proffesional Sony cameras (pDX10, PD170) is great.
Sony will arrange a collection directly from anywhere in mainland EU your camera and repeare it. In the maintime you will have a other camera.

They are soe internet resealers that say that the dont offer this silver support.

After I have tolk with Sony europe I know that ONLY authorised dealers have this support. All others that dont offer this support seal "grey' imports"

By the way. where have you pursale your PDX10 Patrick?

Lambis

Tom Hardwick · March 22nd, 2004, 02:53 AM

If anyone asks me if they should go for the extended warrenty on their new Mini DV camcorder, I say nothing. I go over to my cupboard and bring forth the three chip Panasonic MX300 that I've torn down to its component parts. This is phenominal design and production engineering beauty. There are tens of ICs, tens of moving parts. The miniaturisation and delicacy makes you hold your breath as you pick up the tape deck, the lens assembly, the microphone and VCR playback panel. You spin that tiny head and realise that it moves at 9000rpm, day in, day out. It's lubricated for ''life'', and that life is very finite.

There is no question really. I'd not extend the warrenty on my TV or microwave or vacuum cleaner, but the Mini DV camcorder really is something else. Such delicate beauty deserves insuring.

tom.

Frank Granovski · March 22nd, 2004, 03:38 AM

Tom, off topic, Ugh. I shudder at that MX300 scenario---in pieces and in your cupboard. I hope you are able to get humpty dumpty back together again. :-))

I suggest the extended warranty as well. You just never know....

Tom Hardwick · March 22nd, 2004, 03:49 AM

I wasn't able to get it back together again, no :-( I was given it as it'd ''jsut stopped working'' and I gently dissassembled it, drawing pictures as I went so that I could retrace my steps through the forest. When these babys stop working they could have terminal cancer or may be simply going through a bad patch. Looking at it you simply cannot tell.

tom.

Patrick Grealy · March 22nd, 2004, 05:12 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Lambis Stratoudakis : 2 years Silver

By the way. where have you pursale your PDX10 Patrick?

Lambis -->>>

I bought my camera in ASK on Tottenham court road in London.

Not sure if they are an authorised dealer or not!

Regards P

Frank Granovski · March 22nd, 2004, 05:51 AM

Tom, if you can get it back together, perhaps you can leave out the ND filter/s on the iris. :-)) Oh, I keep my MX300 not in the cupboard, but in my Lowepro Nova 5 soft bag.

Back to the warranty thing. Some of my cams had extended warranties while others did not. So far, all my cams are still working fine; and my warranties have run out. If you had say 2 or 3 or more cams, it's probably not worth it to buy extended warranties for any of them. If one cam needs fixing, and you have to pay for it, it will most likely be cheaper than the cost of the combined warranties.

March 10th, 2004, 12:40 PM	#1
Ronald Lee Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 435	Do we need the Sony EXTENDED WARRANTY on the PDX10 Hi, In Canada, the factory warranty on the PDX10 is 1 year. However, we can purchase and additional 3 (or five?) years from Sony (for cough, 1/6 of the price of the camera, cough). Do we need this? I was set on getting this extended warranty, as if anything goes wrong with it, I don't want to be smacked with a huge bill, BUT consumer reports rates these types of cameras as being very reliable. I haven't heard many stories of Sony products failing as well. Reason I'm asking? I can get the PDX10 from the US (ok, off ebay - but I check, they are an authorized dealer) with a full accessory package for the same price as what I pay for just the camera here.

March 13th, 2004, 06:05 AM	#8
Patrick Grealy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 90	European experience Interestingly, in Europe, a Pxd10 or other cams like the PD170 is covered by a SILVER warrenty which lasts 2 years and includes a replacement camera during the repair process. This is the continuously mentioned by authorised dealers who say that the "grey' imports sold by non authorised dealers do not have this silver 2 year warranty and justify theor higher prices on this basis. The price difference can often be in the order of $300. Regards P __________________ Sony PDX10 by 2, DRS-11, Dual G5, FCX, DVDSP and Logic Plat. www.VarsityMusicVideo.com

March 22nd, 2004, 05:12 AM	#13
Patrick Grealy Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 90	<<<-- Originally posted by Lambis Stratoudakis : 2 years Silver By the way. where have you pursale your PDX10 Patrick? Lambis -->>> I bought my camera in ASK on Tottenham court road in London. Not sure if they are an authorised dealer or not! Regards P __________________ Sony PDX10 by 2, DRS-11, Dual G5, FCX, DVDSP and Logic Plat. www.VarsityMusicVideo.com

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March 10th, 2004, 12:51 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	I did not buy the extended warranty, and after using the camera for a year have had no problems. But you have to make your own judgements on cost vs risk. Basically it's like an insurance policy.

March 10th, 2004, 02:51 PM	#3
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	Be careful about getting your cam off of eBay. Sony's list of authorized Internet dealers is very short. http://www.sel.sony.com/cgi-bin/SEL/...gi/aid_list.pl As for the warranty. I usually pass on these due to their high price but if its under $100 for a few extra years then I will definitely give it a second thought. Why not put the money of the overpriced warranties (for all of your electronics) into a savings account. The odds are in your favor that you'll never have to touch it!

March 10th, 2004, 03:02 PM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Tommy: your point is well taken, but that list is for Sony consumer products. I believe that the PDX-10 is part of the broadcast/pro line which is handled differently. Many (if not most) of the dealers on that list would not carry the PDX-10 or PD-170.

March 10th, 2004, 04:32 PM	#5
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	Interesting point Boyd. Using this link you can look up brick and mortar resellers for Sony Pro gear but it doesn't seem to list websites so it makes you wonder who is authorized to sell DVCAM online. http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professiona...sp=11&id=65263 I would still stick with B&H.

March 12th, 2004, 02:45 PM	#6
Ronald Lee Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 435	So then I take it that no one here has had problems with the PDX10 after their 6 month or 1 year warranty expired? I don't have to worry that in 3 years something would go wrong where I would need the extended warranty?

March 12th, 2004, 05:34 PM	#7
Chris Long Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Middletown, Maryland USA Posts: 177	After MUCH thought, I chose not to purchase an extended warranty for my PDX-10. I haven't had a problem of any kind in the past 9 months. It's very well-made. One thing that influenced my decision is that if you purchase with a Visa credit card (I did) it will automatically double the length of the manufacturers warranty. Not sure if this applies to Canada, but it's worth looking into if you are going to purchase with a Visa card. I bought mine through B and H, and was VERY glad I did after a friend was dragged through a horrible experience by another dealer, Broadway Photo. Avoid them at all costs (no pun intended) Wherever you buy, check out the overall rating of the dealer at http://www.resellerratings.com You'll be glad you did.

March 13th, 2004, 10:43 AM	#9
Lambis Stratoudakis Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malmö, Sweden, Crete, Greece Posts: 49	2 years Silver Support in Europe for all Proffesional Sony cameras (pDX10, PD170) is great. Sony will arrange a collection directly from anywhere in mainland EU your camera and repeare it. In the maintime you will have a other camera. They are soe internet resealers that say that the dont offer this silver support. After I have tolk with Sony europe I know that ONLY authorised dealers have this support. All others that dont offer this support seal "grey' imports" By the way. where have you pursale your PDX10 Patrick? Lambis

March 22nd, 2004, 02:53 AM	#10
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	If anyone asks me if they should go for the extended warrenty on their new Mini DV camcorder, I say nothing. I go over to my cupboard and bring forth the three chip Panasonic MX300 that I've torn down to its component parts. This is phenominal design and production engineering beauty. There are tens of ICs, tens of moving parts. The miniaturisation and delicacy makes you hold your breath as you pick up the tape deck, the lens assembly, the microphone and VCR playback panel. You spin that tiny head and realise that it moves at 9000rpm, day in, day out. It's lubricated for ''life'', and that life is very finite. There is no question really. I'd not extend the warrenty on my TV or microwave or vacuum cleaner, but the Mini DV camcorder really is something else. Such delicate beauty deserves insuring. tom.

March 22nd, 2004, 03:38 AM	#11
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Tom, off topic, Ugh. I shudder at that MX300 scenario---in pieces and in your cupboard. I hope you are able to get humpty dumpty back together again. :-)) I suggest the extended warranty as well. You just never know....

March 22nd, 2004, 03:49 AM	#12
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I wasn't able to get it back together again, no :-( I was given it as it'd ''jsut stopped working'' and I gently dissassembled it, drawing pictures as I went so that I could retrace my steps through the forest. When these babys stop working they could have terminal cancer or may be simply going through a bad patch. Looking at it you simply cannot tell. tom.

March 22nd, 2004, 05:51 AM	#14
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Tom, if you can get it back together, perhaps you can leave out the ND filter/s on the iris. :-)) Oh, I keep my MX300 not in the cupboard, but in my Lowepro Nova 5 soft bag. Back to the warranty thing. Some of my cams had extended warranties while others did not. So far, all my cams are still working fine; and my warranties have run out. If you had say 2 or 3 or more cams, it's probably not worth it to buy extended warranties for any of them. If one cam needs fixing, and you have to pay for it, it will most likely be cheaper than the cost of the combined warranties.