Battery Plate Repair

SurJones

SurJones

Veteran
So I sent in my HVX to Spec-Comm (Specialized Communications) because they are an Authorized Panasonic Repair Center so they could fix my brken tabs. The turn around time is incredible. I expected a week. But got an email saying that it was done THE SAME DAY IT GOT THERE, and would be shipped the follwing day.

I heard the replacement parts are hard to get from Panny, but SpecComm seemed to get them in a fashionable time. When the parts were in, I sent the camera in.

ONE MORE MAJOR THING. I dont know if this is their practice or not, but they even upgraded my firmware on the camera and sent a list of the issues the firmware updates covered. If that ain't cusomter service, my God I have no clue what would be.

So recap: Fast turn around time, Fast shipping, Looking out for customers, Going above and beyond, and excellent customer service.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
 
that's great to hear. I really like Spec-Comm too.

Firmware? For the HVX? Do you by chance have a website where we can verify our camera's Firmware vs. the latest version. Mine probably is the latest since it was bought at the beginning of October, but still.

Later,
Jason
 
Hello Jason,

Go into the P2 MCR screen and press Menu. Go to Property, then select System Info.

If your Firmware Version is anything less than 2.03, you need a Firmware upgrade.

I think you can get the newest fimrware from this link.

If that link doesn't work, let us know. We'll get it to you somehow.

Thanks for your support! Thanks to Patrick too! :)

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
I recently had my battery tabs repaired. I also use the Spec-Comm 3rd party batteries, which I've been told were most likely the reason for the tabs breaking in the first place (apparently non-panasonic batteries are the culprit). Are the new tabs redesigned to not break again if I continue to use 3rd party batteries? Or are they just replacing the broken tabs with the same old ones?
 
This firmware update appears to be Windows/PC only.

If this isn't correct, I apologize.

If it is PC only, it might be about time for Panasonic to address the Mac marginalization approach it has to probably half the users of the HVX200.

C'mon. What are Mac users supposed to do?
 
tippert said:
I recently had my battery tabs repaired. I also use the Spec-Comm 3rd party batteries, which I've been told were most likely the reason for the tabs breaking in the first place (apparently non-panasonic batteries are the culprit). Are the new tabs redesigned to not break again if I continue to use 3rd party batteries? Or are they just replacing the broken tabs with the same old ones?
Click to expand...

Hello Tippert,

Our batteries are actually a bit lighter than the Panasonic Batteries and they also mechaniclly match the Panasonic batteries. So no mechanical (or electrical) damage will occur by using our batteries with this camera. The reason why the tabs are breaking are because there is nothing to support the battery if an impact occurs. When we repair the HVX200 because it has broken tabs, we replace the back panel which has been updated with support tabs to support the battery. This, along with the new battery compartment is included in the warranty repair if your panel lis actually broken.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
I'm on a mac and have udated my firmware to 2.03 without a problem. I was previously 1.03.

The formating of the sd card is done in camera and the mac recognizes it. Used dell 2405 sd slot to copy the file to the sd card then put back in camera and follow the instructions of the pdf file that you download with the firmware update.
 
But you need a Dell to copy the firmware?

Any chance you could detail the workflow?

And I'm seeing an actual HVX200 firmware updater at the site.

Could Andrew help us out a little?'

thanks
 
David S. said:
As part of the warranty repair, is shipping paid for with insurance both ways by Panasonic?
Click to expand...

Hello David,

Panasonic covers shipping back to you. So you need to have it shipped to us. And this is ONLY if the warrantly claim is accepted. For example, if you dropped the camera and the Handle broke, that isn't a warranty repair since it isn't a defect.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
Thanks Andrew.

But the battery breakage is definitely covered.

I can't seem to find the link. If I downloaded this in bootcamp, and saved it to the SD card, then I'm good to go?
 
Spec-Comm said:
Any USB to SD card adapter will work.

Andrew Hoffman
Click to expand...

Dell not needed. Any sd reader. You just need something to connect the sd card to your computer. If you have no adapter maybe a HVX200 formatted sd card in a digtal camera can make it mount. Once you get the sd card on your desktop the pdf file you should download has all the info on how to go about updating.
 
Can you post a pic. of the updated back panel with support tabs and the "new battery "compartment. From which date up are these modifications already implemeted when you buy a new HVX?


:happy:
Spec-Comm said:
Hello Tippert,

Our batteries are actually a bit lighter than the Panasonic Batteries and they also mechaniclly match the Panasonic batteries. So no mechanical (or electrical) damage will occur by using our batteries with this camera. The reason why the tabs are breaking are because there is nothing to support the battery if an impact occurs. When we repair the HVX200 because it has broken tabs, we replace the back panel which has been updated with support tabs to support the battery. This, along with the new battery compartment is included in the warranty repair if your panel lis actually broken.

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
Click to expand...
 
I just hate the idea of sending mine in to repair the two broken tabs. I just know as soon as I send it in Bigfoot or something is going to camp out in my backyard and I'll be SOL. :)
 
Cees Mutsaers said:
Can you post a pic. of the updated back panel with support tabs and the "new battery "compartment. From which date up are these modifications already implemeted when you buy a new HVX?


:happy:
Click to expand...
F6 (June 2006) and later cameras have the new battery compartment design. I had to dig a little, but Jan Crittenden provided this information back in October.
 
Cees Mutsaers said:
Can you post a pic. of the updated back panel with support tabs and the "new battery "compartment. From which date up are these modifications already implemeted when you buy a new HVX?


:happy:
Click to expand...

Hello Cees,

Here is a link that shows some pictures of the new back panel (the new ones don't come with the velcro.) :)

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=65423&page=9&highlight=battery+tabs

Thanks,

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
 
SurJones said:
ONE MORE MAJOR THING. I dont know if this is their practice or not, but they even upgraded my firmware on the camera and sent a list of the issues the firmware updates covered. If that ain't cusomter service, my God I have no clue what would be.


That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Click to expand...


Does the firmware upgrade do anything important or interesting ?
 
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