DVX out-of-the-box issues

[alan b]

Well, with my much-anticipated DVX finally in my sweaty hands, I was chagrined--to put it mildly--to realize a couple of immediate issues.

--I'm hoping, of course, that this is normal and it's an indication of nothing in particular, but I am hearing (and feeling) an odd noise from within the camera. When I hold it by its handle and rock it gently front to back I hear what sounds like a ball perhaps--not soft but not really hard, kind of a hard rubber sound--rolling back and forth; I can also feel a slight impact when it reaches the end of its "rolls." Think of it as a quiet pinball game indside my camera.

But it's not really like a ball as it doesn't seem to rolling around randomly; it's like something attached at one end and is allowed to slide back and forth. Is there something inside its guts that is meant to be...unattached? I shouldn't think so. This sound is only barely audible when rocked side to side.

--Imagine my dismay to see a dead pixel in the viewfinder. I did a search here lookig for existing threads on the subject and the only one I found made it sound like one can exect no satisfaction unless it appears on the actual taped image; something I don't know yet as I just took it out of the box. However i am not expecting that to happen. Call me a foolish optimist. But I just had to share.

Anyway...anyone have any thoughts on that rocking noise?

alan b

ps--I bought it at EVS and don't know how they are to deal with in these circumstances.

 

[hienben]

Hi Alan, welcome to the board. The 'odd' noise is made by the stabilising system before it has engaged (or something like that), it's perfectly normal. Once you turn on the camera the noise should disappear. As for the dead pixel, if you're not happy you should return the camera and ask for a replacement. Give the guys at EVS a call and explain your problem.

 

[alan b]

Hi Alan, welcome to the board. The 'odd' noise is made by the stabilising system before it has engaged (or something like that), it's perfectly normal. Once you turn on the camera the noise should disappear. As for the dead pixel, if you're not happy you should return the camera and ask for a replacement. Give the guys at EVS a call and explain your problem.

Yeah it's funny. No sooner did I write that post than I sat down with the DVX book that came with it and sure enough it was the first issue dealt with in their FAQ section because so many people are concerned when they first pick the thing up.

As for the pixel, I just tested the picture by hooking the camera up to a monitor. No dead pixel evident in the picture just as I had hoped. But I guess I should sheck with EVS just for yucks. Unfortunately I was going to begin shooting a doc this weekend and can't afford to give it up.

thanks

alan b

 

[Prairieboy]

oh man did you get off easy with that question. There are members here just lurking with one liners to mock and ridicule you over that one. It is their way of saying welcome.
Enjoy the camera, and welcome.

 

[J.R. Hudson]

Damn I never even had a chance to answer it. Damn it. No fun.

EVS is epic; give them a call. They will always treat you right even when something goes awry.

 

[Pipe]

I still can't leave the house after the ridicule I got for this question a couple of months back. It's like the lurgy, I'm waiting to pass it on to someone. Next person that asks this please let me get to them first.

 

[alan b]

You guys...if you weren't otherwise so helpful I would take exception to your gloating.

My thanks to "hienben" for denying you all the opportunity to pounce.

ab

ps--BTW, what's that little red button on the back of the camera for???

 

[JustinT]

i just got mine - and sigh 1 blue pixel - was hoping for an exchange - but unfortunately i was told that they would order the part in and call me when to bring the camera in...

again.. sigh....

 

[Rush]

Alanb, we have been as yet unsuccessful exchanging a camera from Panasonic with a bad pixel in the LCD or VF. I called Panny support yesterday about that issue, and they were very adamant about not exchanging any camera with one dead/color pixel, whether I am a dealer or end-user. Thus, I would not be able to get a new camera from them, to sell in exchange for yours. Their instructions were to have you send the camera to Digitron in California for the free warranty-covered repair.

What I have been offering DVXusers with similar issues, is to be a middleman, and send the camera in myself, then send it back to you when repaired. Panny support said they would definitely not exchange the camera though... However, if you want to send it back to me, I will send it for repair myself.

If you are a local customer in LA, I will offer you a free rental for any shoot you have until your camera comes back. We don't ship rentals any more though, because we got back too many damaged cameras, and the customer wouldn't acknowledge the damage and pay for it. :undecided

You can email me at rush@evsonline.com and let me know what you decide. Again, Alan, sorry for the trouble you are going through.