Damage Reports here

Ursa

Ursa

Active member
Hi!

Just wanted to start a thread for all us unfortunate users who've damaged our HVXs. This way, users can be more aware of the more fragile parts of this camera. I'll include what I've read, and what happened to my own already:

*Firewire port destroyed
preventive solution: Do NOT connect or disconnect the firewire cable while the camera is on.

*Battery mount tabs broken
preventive solution: check if your camera has a serial number that starts with A6-E6. If it has, then Panasonics warranty covers the implementation of the newer, stronger battery threads. If the serial number starts with F6 and up, then the camera has the new design already, and probably haven't broken its threads.

*Tape Mechanism eats the DV tape
preventive solution: Do not let your camera rest in high places. Even though the camera is chubby and built with a tank-like shell, the "internal organs" can't take a fall. My tape mechanism now physically ruins the tapes if I fast forward.

*Composite Output broken
preventive solution: again: do not let your camera fall to the ground. When the composite cable is in and the camera falls, the pin will break.

Can't think of any more right now. Let me know if there are any more.
 
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Hi Ursa:

Holy crap! You are tough on equipment, man!

I hope that your HVX is recovering nicely. So far, all we have had with out five HVXs is that one of the stock component out cables went bad last week. No broken tabs or ports. We have been running our HVXs into 1200 and 1400 DVCProHD decks though and that firewire port is really flimsy and loose.

Also a plastic headphone jack? I used my DVX-100 the other day and noticed how much more heavy duty the metal headphone jack is on it.

Best,

Dan
 
You realise that you just ruined your chances of ever renting anything ever again?

I confess that I have snapped off the microphone mount. To be accurate, it was snapped off by a person riding a big rubber donut down a snowfield and into my legs.
 
Great post Ursa.

In your firewire part though you may want to mention not to disconnect the firewire port while the camera is on as well.
 
re: battery mounts, I would mention NOT to transport camera with battery attached when not in use. This and dropping the camera appears to be the cause of the battery mount issue, pre AND post 'F6' serial number. . .
 
oh yea i smashed apart my DVX battery in a fall. i imagine the HVX to be similar.
 
Not to be insulting to anyone, but amazes me the number of video guys I meet in my classes who don't know that Mini-DV tape rewinders exist. I have one that both rewinds and fast fowards. I NEVER use my camera for that since getting one.

They're usually battery powered, and you can get a wall wart for them at Radio Shake. They'll save a lot of wear and tear on your camera. Mine lives in my camera bag so I can even use it in the field.

FYI...
 
Broken headphone jacks need to be put on the list, I think it might have to do with the plastic connector, but they go loose really easy, usually just a matter of opening it up and readjusting it. But almost everyone I know with an HVX has had some problems with this.
 
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