Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

L

LUCAS_HITCHBERG

Active member
I've been reading the posts on problems some people have experienced with their brand new DVX camera. There seems to be a wide range of things that can be bad (as with anything electronic). I'm still holding off on such a major purchase for several reasons, the rate of defects being one of them. I have a couple of questions for owners of the DVX100a and I hope these issues of [potential] camera defects can be objectively addressed -and put to rest.

First, what is the defect rate of the DVX100a cameras as compared with similar makes/models of video cameras?

Second, it would be a good idea to do a *complete* check of camera operations to spot defects early and to differentiate between defects and limitations. I'd like to see the collective minds (sorry for the Borg reference) put together a comprehensive checklist of performance operations for the DVX. Along with the checklist a list of known characteristics (e.g. lens clunks when power is off) and settings to minimize or eliminate unwanted performance (e.g. blacks grainy).

Maybe this is too large a challenge, but if a list of things to check along with "it's a feature not a fault" were available all in one spot it would make it easier for those of us on the fence to decide.

Could dual lists of "FAULT' and 'FEATURE' be posted and periodically updated on a special page? I know it sounds like a lot of work, but even a small compiled list would be a huge start.

Thanks,

LHB
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

I got my DVX100A about 2 months ago. Other than the know issue of the hiss in the headphone monitoring (it doesn't end up on tape), I had no problems whatsoever.
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

Got mine just before Christmas - one of the first batches of the new 'A' in the US. Haven't had anything go on with it other than 'operator error'. But nothing that was the camera's fault. It's been flawless.
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

I know you're asking about the "A" but FWIW, I've had my DVX 100 for nearly 15 months and I can't think of a more reliable, solid piece of equipment. ::)
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

'Cylinder Lock'
Tape wouldnt load on the 1st 100a I received. But they shipped it back and shipped a new one out all on their dime and it's been great since.

2nd one works flawless 1st time out.
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

I just shot with a new one [DVX 100a] in Africa. It hit the ground HARD 3 times and kept right on working.

My only recommendation is to read the manual very carefully. If you know what to tell the camera to do, it performs beautifully.
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

Got mine for 6 month ago and have no problem. Let the manual be your bible :D
 
Yes, read the manual!

Yes, read the manual!

Especially the "How to hit the ground HARD" chapter!

Sorry, couldn't restrain myself.
Maybe because I remember the feeling when my DVX100a fell of a table onto the floor (*carpeted* floor - thank God!) with its LCD screen open.

The camera was on, left on the table for 30 seconds to pick something - just enough for an actor to trip in the powerstrip cable (ran out of battery power - don't ask).

Picked it up, the LCD was ok (impact was on other side) but the lens was out of focus and could not focus no matter what.

Turned the camera on and off, focus and autofocus worked again.

Camera is and has been working flawlessly before and since then. Only gripe is that the zoom and autofocus rings feel too loose (not enough friction to add smoothness to manual control).

Cheers
-- Andre
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

I got mine just before Christmas. I has worked flawlessly not problems what so ever.
I do have one issue though... The LCD screen has two smudge marks from the camera, top and bottom. You cant see them with the camera on just when they are off. Do you know of any good cleaning method for the screen? I don’t know if it is scratched... It just looks smudged.
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

I've been knocked off my regular routine after staining my lower back moving boxes filled with VHS tapes, so forgive my delay in responding.

Your replies have been interesting, as in first camera was bad, but the second one works flawlessly. The trouble with this kind of anecdotal evidence is that it could appear the DVX has a 50% fault rate. (Although dropping the cam hard and it still works is quite a testimonial!) A better measure would be like how Consumer Report magazine publishes a list of comparable items separated by brand and indicates which ones have more or fewer repairs as an indicator of quality.

I was hoping there is an objective comparison of the DVX and similar camcorders in regard to repair rate segmented either by individual model or at least by brand. Reading the experiences of DVXuser members with their cams, as I have here, _could_ give the impression of high rates of defects with the DVX100a. This may or may not be true. Maybe no objective numbers are available. Maybe only Panasonic knows and wants to keep them confidencial!

Since I have not yet purchased a DVX unit (for several reasons some having nothing to do with the camera itself), the idea of a brief checklist of things to test came to mind.




Audio check: mic noise, headfon noise, RL track function, etc.

Video check: bright light grain test, low light grain test, blacks grain test, etc.

Other check: OIS function test, focus test, etcetera

What's normal: non-powered lens clunk sound, etcetera.

I'm just not that familiar with the ins and outs of what to include in the tests and what to list on the 'it's normal' side. Especially since I have not even seen one yet.


Maybe I could talk Jarred into creating a page for posting both a testing protocal and a running tally of defects?

Then again, I could just buy a unit from EVS, spend a couple of days playing with it, and exchange it if it's faulty! Nah, sounds to easy. :)

LHB
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

in the end, regardless of any "faults" it may have. its the only cam in its class with the ability to do what it does.. there is no other choice. so realistically there is no other cam to compare it to, cause no other cam does the same thing. that would be like comparing the "faults" of a Geo metro with those of a lamborghini.. well not quite that different, but anyway..LOL :p
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

and I thought I was the only dumbo to have dropped the camera! My drop was with it in the soft case and from a 2 foot hieght. Camera was fine! ANd I agree with IAL, you gotta love it cause it is the only one around, it makes your work look good so kinda deal with the chances of a hitch here and there esp if you have warrenty. I live on an island with no panasonic dealer! & I still got it!
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

[quote author=LUCAS_HITCHBERG link=board=nws;num=1087572649;start=0#9 date=06/23/04 at 12:42:12]
Then again, I could just buy a unit from EVS, spend a couple of days playing with it, and exchange it if it's faulty!  Nah, sounds to easy.  :)[/quote]
Muhahaaaa! No way... ;D
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

The store I bought it from said that they had very few returns due to defective cameras. (I think they said considerably fewer than the gl2, and that's a solid camera.) They did say, however, that they felt the pd170 had a bit more of a "solid" design and build, whatever that means.

As for faults, hmm....the hour meter on the heads seems to add up too quickly. I swear!!!! There's no way it's been 21 hours already!

Design flaws are the only real thing I can think of...lack of a LANC port, oversaturated reds, etc. I honestly can't say that I've had any problems, except once I recorded over some footage and it sort of freak out and created weird mosiac noise.
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

No problems here either except for a busted firewire pin that was my fault.

Ive seen DVX's hit the ground and bounce so hard it dislocated the operators shoulder.. but the camera worked fine. Its really a pretty solid little machine. I think the only problems are a very few isolated off-the-line cameras that had a lock error, you find out about it as soon as you open the box.
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

Well.. mine works great.. No complaints..  ;D i think its a bunch of hype about bad cameras that no one here  has really had.. Very few user complaints that i can recall... only rumors of a brothers uncle who knew somebody... lol

Of course no dis respect to any of us who have lived through the anxiety of a serious malfunction
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

LUCAS_HITCHBERG!!

Believe every one...there are no major issues of CONCERN with a DVX100A...when u buy it anew

Best of Luck ;D
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

But one thing....

Please make sure u buy it from a REPUTABLE dealer...

My own feeling is that most complaints concerning out of the box cams posted on this forum or others related mainly to those cases where "they had got it from a less well known dealer ....becuase it was on sale for 'such an astonishingly cheap price' "
 
Re: Brand New DVX Fault Checklist?

[quote author=LUCAS_HITCHBERG link=board=nws;num=1087572649;start=0#0 date=06/18/04 at 08:30:49]I've been reading the posts on  problems some people have experienced with their brand new DVX camera.  There seems to be a wide range of things that can be bad (as with anything electronic). [/quote]

I guess I must have missed all this. I've had a 100, and now two 100A's and have had zero issues. I've travelled with them,,, just returned from Europe with one... no problems.
 
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