GH4 Faulty HDMI Port - Out of Warranty Repair?

jaypass

jaypass

Well-known member
I've never used my GH4's HDMI port before, but after getting V-LOG, I decided I wanted to give it a try with an external recorder...Unfortunately, the port seems to be faulty. The very first time I tried to plug a micro-HDMI cable in, it wouldn't fit. I eventually got it in there, but I guess the damage had been done. I tried it with a few different monitors and recorders at a rental house, and nothing got a signal out of it...This was a couple months ago, and I'm just now finding the time to look into a repair.

I bought the camera from B&H in September 2014, so I'm no longer under warranty(It's 1-year, right?). I've been trying to find my options for repair on google, but have been coming up empty...And Panasonic's website seems to be pointing to a location in Texas? I could have sworn I saw something around here a while back about a authorized Panasonic repair center in NJ. Am I imagining that?

I'd love something local because I was hoping to drop it off somewhere and pick it up in a week...I would love to use it with a recorder on a shoot I have next Wednesday. Probably not possible at this point, but worth a try.

Any advice from someone who's had their HDMI port fixed? Especially out of warranty?
 
jaypass said:
I'd love something local because I was hoping to drop it off somewhere and pick it up in a week...I would love to use it with a recorder on a shoot I have next Wednesday. Probably not possible at this point, but worth a try.
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There is a repair shop on 36th street just east of ninth avenue. Their name escapes me at the moment but they are a substantial place. You can't miss it. I used them to do an LCD replacement on my GH2 back when. Although a week sounds dubious unless the part is a common one.
 
LockPort is absolutely the best locking HDMI port I've used. Prefer it over the Wooden or multiple others i tried. Never an issue and no stress on the port.
+1
 
I too had the same problem. I also damaged what little value the port had trying to force the micro plug into it.
The 400.00 monitor was useless to me as a result. Had to sell the monitor on Ebay for a loss. Thanks Panasonic,
You loss a long time customer.
 
How much is the repair worth? Consider the price of a new body + v-log, and how much you can probably still get for a used and mostly working GH4... Might make more sense to sell it and buy a new one with warranty.

I would expect at least $400 for your mostly working body, which is just about half what it will cost to get a new one. Suppose the repair costs $200, you are about $200-$300 shy of that new body with warranty. And I'd find it hard to believe that it can be repaired for only $200 that would only be about 2 hours of time.

Here is an exploded view, but I don't see the HDMI connector listed so it must be on one of the circuit boards https://www.encompassparts.com/shop/model_research_docs/?file=/MSC/sb/ExplodedView_DMCGH4.pdf

And the parts list https://www.encompassparts.com/model/MSCDMCGH4/_/_/Panasonic/DMCGH4/LUMIX_DIGITAL_STILL_CAMERA find the part and click on it to see the price (EX. https://www.encompassparts.com/item/9593772/Panasonic/K0RB01500003/Operation )
 
Greg_E said:
How much is the repair worth? Consider the price of a new body + v-log, and how much you can probably still get for a used and mostly working GH4... Might make more sense to sell it and buy a new one with warranty.

I would expect at least $400 for your mostly working body, which is just about half what it will cost to get a new one. Suppose the repair costs $200, you are about $200-$300 shy of that new body with warranty. And I'd find it hard to believe that it can be repaired for only $200 that would only be about 2 hours of time.
Click to expand...

I didn't even think of this. Not a bad idea, except the few dealers I just checked all have the GH4 priced at $1500. So if I sold mine and got a new one, I'd probably be in the hole for at least $1000...and you're right, it's totally not worth getting it fixed if it would cost more then that. At this point I might as well save that money until NAB and preorder a GH5, assuming it'll be announced. Or maybe an URSA Mini, if the 4.6k ever ships. I've used the GH4 without HDMI for a year and a half, what's 3 more months?
 
stoneinapond said:
There is a repair shop on 36th street just east of ninth avenue. Their name escapes me at the moment but they are a substantial place. You can't miss it. I used them to do an LCD replacement on my GH2 back when. Although a week sounds dubious unless the part is a common one.
Click to expand...

Looks like you're referring to http://www.phototech.com ? I didn't even look into this last week, the storm completely rearranged my schedule... but I guess it's still worth a call. I suppose I should call Panasonic too, see if there's a difference in price.
 
Guess I saw sale prices, last one I saw was under $900 and around $1200 with the YAGH.

It would be worth an estimate if they are close.
 
I can only speak for the UK, but my port replacement cost me GBP65 including return courier (it cost me GBP11 to send it). Had the main board needed replacement I was quoted GBP140 - so not a terribly expensive repair.
 
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