DO NOT buy the HVX200A - Here's why

When I still had my 2 HVXs they worked flawlessly and they still are with their new owners.

I think this may be a PEBKAC problem.
 
I'm not bashing anyone, however, just this morning, I read an important note which came with my HPX. To paraphrase, it said: "Be very careful inserting a 4 pin connector into the iEEE1394 port. Make sure you insert it straight and properly and not on an angle or you will damage the port." I guess we must always show due diligence in using our equipment. I can see how easy it would be to slightly cant the 4 pin while inserting it. Man, ya just gotta be careful.
 
Per my earlier post, the OP posting has merit. But the cam has given great service to many people. It does have weaknesses, but it is still one of the most significant cams of the generation. Think of all the things the HVX brought to prosumer operators in the tradition of the DVX.

Ya, crappy 4 pin FW plug too.

Grant
 
All 4-pin FW plugs are equally horrible. With that said, I've had or used 4-pin plugs on a Sony VX1000, TRV7, FX1, Z1U, and EX3; a Canon HV20, XL2, and XLH1, and a Panasonic DVX100, 100A, 100B, HVX200, HVX200A, and ... well, probably a dozen other models I can't remember right now. Plus I've had 4-pin ports on every laptop I've had since ... I dunno, the last 10+ years?

Never had a problem with any one of them. And they're all identical; there's certainly nothing superior about one 4-pin port as compared to another.

The #1 problem that happens with firewire ports appears to be people plugging in 4-to-6-pin cables, and plugging in the 4-pin side first. And then a momentary misalignment when plugging in the six-pin side can short out the power pin and blow up the 4-pin port.

The solution is really, really simple -- plug the cable into the computer (6-pin connector) FIRST. Then you eliminate all danger of shorted-out power travelling along the cable.

Secondly, when using the 4-pin, provide some strain relief. Wrap the cable around the camcorder's handle or something similar, so it's not straining the connection with the 4-pin port.
 
All the connectors on the HVX aside from the XLR mic inputs are consumer grade, for obvious, sensible, cost saving reasons. As others have mentioned, considerable care should be exercised in using all of these connections - not just the headphone or FW ports, but the remote zoom/iris pots, RCA audio jacks, P2 slots, battery compartment, etc., etc., etc.

This is an in-between-level "prosumer" product - it features (very) near pro level performance, but manages to be affordable (even more so nowadays) in part by *not* exclusively using heavy-duty, beat-the-crap-out-of-it-24/7 hardware. Doing so would have added hugely to the price. I don't know about others, but I doubt I'd have bought an 'Industrial Grade' HVX for a $2K upcharge, even if it had been available.

You get what you (can afford to) pay for...
 
I've been in the market for one of these used, and I think in all the ads I've read, I came across one with a damaged FW port. By and large there are dozens and dozens of them out there for sale that appear to have a lot of use, and not a single problem.

While I imagine the OP is telling the truth about his camera, to have the thread say "DO NOT BUY..." is somewhat misleading. I mean, every camera ever designed has had units that need repair in one way or another for one reason or another at one time or another. All of them.
 
snowleopard said:
I've been in the market for one of these used, and I think in all the ads I've read, I came across one with a damaged FW port. By and large there are dozens and dozens of them out there for sale that appear to have a lot of use, and not a single problem.

While I imagine the OP is telling the truth about his camera, to have the thread say "DO NOT BUY..." is somewhat misleading. I mean, every camera ever designed has had units that need repair in one way or another for one reason or another at one time or another. All of them.
Click to expand...


exactly, it was an ignorant post. And is misleading.
 
Aside from the fact that the post is misleading and uninformed. Announcing the HVX as a worthless product here at DVXUSER is about the equivalent of telling a mother her baby is ugly.

Not a bad way to get our attention on your 3rd post.

Welcome to DVXUser :)
 
550 hours and four years later on my HVX - working just fine. Yes the ports are not "broadcast" grade, don't treat them as such.

If your HVX-200 is as horrendous as mentioned, I'll PM my address for you to send it on over.... ;-)
 
I will seventh the previous posters. I have owned both the 200 and currently, the 200a (in my market, placement on local TV is still 480). I have almost a thousand hours on one...over 700 on the other and neither jack has failed on me.

I would also attribute to user error. These are definitely weak spots on the camera, and well documented (And fixed on the 170)...however, with careful input and output of your headphones and FW...you'll be fine. I have been for the past couple of years in horrible environments in Alaska. Cold, snow, dirt and dust, water (salt in the ocean), and up high after climbing 14,000 feet with the camera on my back. NONE of the issues you describe has reared it's head...however, I'm extremely careful pluggin an unplugging my headphones...and I routinely use my FW connection tethered to a MacBook Pro using scopebox software. Neither has failed...and my partner in crime is the owner of 3 original 200s. Two of them are always tethered via FW...over 1000 hours on each, no issues.

Yes, you HAVE to be careful! Use headphones with curly-cu cords, so they don't apply pressure, and be gentle pluggin and unpluggin your FW4 cord, you'll be fine!!!

I will admit, they are weak points on the camera (as well as the plastic battery hinge on the original), but with a little research ahead of purchase, being aware is the key to damage free operation. My 2 cents, and YMMV. Perhaps you had a cold solder or an issue to begin with (from factory)...are you saying you broke BOTH?

Sorry...not to be demeaning...but many of us, and several thousand others that probably don't frequent DVXuser, have used this camera for years without issue.

That said, I have had to send mine back for issues I created (Sand in zoom ring)...and I was one of the VERY few folks in the world to have an original P2 16gig card fail. However, quick replacement of card...and fast cleaning from Panny broadcast, and my issues were handled withing 7 working days, and back in my hands after shipping.

I'm a happy HVX owner. Keep in mind, EVERY camera on the market has weak points. Ergonomic issues, jello, aliasing, etc, etc. There is no perfect camera...however, the HVX still holds it's own...almost 4years after introduction (+/-). That's cool.

And all that said, I believe both of these "challenges" were addressed with the 170. 6pin locking FW and metal HeadPhone jack...so perhaps this is an option for you?

J
 
Xerces77 said:
Headphone jack/IEEE 1394 ports will fail on this camera, costing $$$ of dollars to repair, sometimes days after its brief 1 year warranty expiration.

I had not done thorough enough research and only discovered its lack of a decent warranty after my purchase. I wanted to return but it was too late.
Click to expand...

Mine is now 5 years old, thousands of miles of footage, not a single minimum failure, no one connector or function, I'm in the tropic (Colombia), going to the jungle with my P2, have made 3 features, 5 video clips, 12 commercials and about 35 videos. I'm very happy with this kind of sofisticated, hard work, HD machine!!!

And nothing to say about the price. Much less and more effective than other brands. period!

Greetings from Colombia!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=17233&id=543097084
 
Xerces77.

Have you tried spraying some electrical contact cleaner in the jacks ? I bought a used 200 and thought the headphone jack was no good, but was just dirty. Sprayed some contact cleaner in the jack ran the headphone plug in and out a few times and was working again.
 
Yup, around the world and 4 years later... not a single dropped frame or corrupted clip from my HVX200. Electronically solid.

Now the battery tabs... sheesh : /

I hope you can repair your HVX200a inputs.

-A
 
Frankly, there isn't much, or anything that will fail on this camera if proper care is given. The HVX should last until a chip fails and that should be 1000's of hours.
 
RE: 1394 firewire port failures. This applies to all cameras not just the HPX.

NEVER CONNECT OR DISCONNECT A FIREWIRE CABLE FROM ANY DEVICE THAT IS TURNED ON!

There are active voltages on the pins of these cables and arcing on insertion can kill the firewire chip.
 
hvx 201ae owner since 2 years, heavy usage and mistreatment ...never a problem that wasnt solved by their excellent service either on warranty or for very reasonable $$!
i doubt i will sell it even if i get newer better cameras in the future!
 
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