dead pixel on my hvx!!!

L

Life in a Box Films

Active member
This is pretty upsetting. Just noticed it today. Anyone know the procedure for getting this fixed? I bought the camera from Studio Exchange in Burbank. They are an authorized dealer. I assume I have to call Panasonic… hopefully they’ll give me a loaner... I'm pretty screwed if they don't.

I would have caught it sooner, but it's very hard to see in Avid since it has no option of full rez (in 5.2 anyway).

Here’s some sample shots from today. I just threw some stuff down and it’s more noticeable on some shots compared to others.

(took down link...)

Agreed, dead pixel? If you're having trouble finding it, look in the upper left in her hair. could it be anything other than a dead pixel?
 
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all the "pro" gear I've bought recently doesn't seem to have very "pro" manufacturing processes. My Marshall monitor has been gone for a couple weeks and will probably be gone for a couple more weeks (due to the flicker problem). apparently this is a Panasonic and Marshall issue.
 
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Hi:

Many cameras I have owned have had or developed dead or "stuck" pixels. I agree, it sucks. Panasonic may or may not cover that under warranty. I would petition them to fix it if your camera us less than 90 days old.

No easy way to fix it, it usually requires replacement of the entire optical block. I would guesstimate that on a $5,000.00 camera, it could cost approximately $3,000.00 in parts and labor, based upon estimates I have received on various cameras over the years.

You can always set up an offset mask layer in FCP/AE and 'fix' it but that's a pain.

Best of luck,

Dan
 
I called Panasonic Professional tech support, they directed me to the California service center and they directed me to an answering machine. so far, not so good.
 
I thought they had circuits to correct for burnt pixels. Do you think it might be something that has lodged on the surface of of the ccd and is causing this?
Perhaps a few light taps may dislodge the piece. Just a thought.
 
Contact Robbs Repair in Kirkland (Talk to Robb or Fred) 425-820-1200. They're an authorized service center I've dealt with for years. In fact, they replaced the CCD in a DVC200 for me a couple of years ago under warranty because of a hot pixel. You might be able to get faster, more accurate answers from them. They can probably also give you the number for Ted Castillo who is (or was) the area Pansonic rep.
 
Good news! I was just informed that I'm covered under warranty even if the CCD block needs to be replaced. So good job by Panasonic on that.

Thanks everyone, for the help. I'll try the white balance thing.

I've been to Robs Repair for my DVX. What I've been told is that only two service centers exist for the HVX. One is in LA.

I do have to send my camera in and I'll be with out it for several days or possibly longer if they need to replace the CCD
 
HVX Guy deserves a little bump on his suggestion: bump your black balance a dozen or more times - I've seen it clear a stuck pixel on the XDCam 350.

Don't know if it's a masking trick or what, but it cleared up our problem. Let us know if it works before you send the lump off.

e
 
tried the white/black balance thing over twenty times, didn't seem to work.

Yesterday I was playing phone tag with a panasonic tech. i was told by phone that I was to recieve an email regarding shipping and RMA info, but never got anything. unfortunately I didn't get his name or extension. I called back today and only got some rude lady that told me they don't do RMAs and to just send my camera in... any Panasonic service people on these boards want to enlighten me regarding what I should do? I'm just confused because it seems I'm being told different things.

the address I was told to send it to was:

3330 Cahuenga Blvd W
Los Angeles, CA 90068
 
Yes that should be the place to send it. I dropped my camera off there last week.
 
just thought i'd update on the situation. i spend $140 on shipping to panasonic. i got it back about a week or so latter. it still has a dead pixel. i'm pissed.
 
so what did they do at panasonic????
This is my biggest fear if buying the really expensive HVX, they just do not do anything if you get a bad one.
 
Life in a Box Films said:
just thought i'd update on the situation. i spend $140 on shipping to panasonic. i got it back about a week or so latter. it still has a dead pixel. i'm pissed.
Click to expand...

Did you PM Jan? Let her handle it.
 
In all fairness to Panasonic, I seem to be in the minority. However, I'm obviously not happy with how they've handled my case thus far. I'm missing projects and paying gigs. And I'm out $140. I refuse to pay another $140 to ship it again...

The work order form states "Service performed: aligmnt electrical. Technician's Comments: perform blem comp ulc 1cl"

Sounds like they attempted to mask out the pixel with the software. I honestly can't see how they missed the pixel. It looks so obvious on my Sony 17" and on my Sony CRT.

It's the weekend so I don't think they'll get back to me until Monday or Tuesday. I'll PM Jan.

*update* I PM'd Jan, she's not part of the service group so she can't help me. Cees Mutsaers, you're right in your apprehensions. While most of their cameras work well, it is a huge hassle when you get one that doesn't. I discovered this issue more than two weeks ago and I'm still not close to having it resolved. Since it was a close pick between this camera and the Canon, I'm not sure I would go Panasonic if I could do it again.
 
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Just a follow up. I've been calling Panasonic since last Friday. I'm told only the tech that worked on my camera is the only one I can speak to. I've been told he's in the office. He's not returning calls.

Does anybody think this is acceptable customer service for a $5K+ camera?
 
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