Just got used HVX, what tests should I run?

Chris Adams

Chris Adams

Active member
Ok I just bought a used HVX and I have about a week and a half to make sure this camera is in perfect working order and then this guy's "warranty" is over.

So besides the obvious things, is there anything you guys would recommend checking?

Thanks
 
1. Battery tabs. Are any of them broken off or look like they are on their way to being broken off?
2. Headphone jack? Tight and no shorts?
3. Four pin FireWire connection. Solid? Not loose or shorting?
4. D4 connection. They are all loose but do you still have a fairly solid connection?
5. Audio beeping in headphone jack or recorded signal? (only apparent when camera is recording, not in e-e/standby) You have to really listen for it, it's faint, but it's there on some cameras.
6. Firmware version? Might need to be updated for 16GB and above P2 cards
7. Check hour meter. How many and does it jibe with what the former owner told you?
8. Check front lens element in darker room with a window for micro abrasions on lens coating
9. Is rear IR receiver cover tight and not cracked?
10. Did former owner include remote? Test it. Give it a new battery. I live and die by the remote when jib arm shooting.
11. Record some Mini DV tape and check for excessive head wear/mis-tracking or tape dropouts
12. Check for backlash on zoom. Some cameras, when manual zoom has been used a lot or when people have had it in servo zoom mode and forced a manual zoom, the end result can be backlash on the manual zoom so that when you zoom in and let go, the zoom mechanism clicks back a bit, it looks bad when you shoot.

These are the top dozen issues I would worry about although someone else may chime in on some others.

Let us know what you find.

Dan
 
Drop it into a swimming pool. If it still works after you take it out, sell it to me for $17. If it doesn't, tie some weights to your legs and jump in the pool.

Seriously, I think puredrifting pretty much provided a great checklist. The only thing I'd add is to switch the camera into tape mode, and then check the hour meter there (so that you know the hours on the tape deck as well as the total operation hours)
 
Dan gave you an awesome checklist. Worthy of printing for anyone who buys used cameras!
So glad it all checked out OK.
One thing I read on a couple threads to check for is the bottom base of the camera. Under stress it has cracked on a few people.

It sounds like this camera has been taken care of, but it's worth a check. Put it on a solid Tripod and "gently" :) rock the camera and make sure there are no stress fractures on the base.
 
There is 86 hours on the tape deck out of 190 hours total. Which is pretty much what I expected. I don't plan on using tape often, but is that a lot of hours on it for a two year old camera?

The bottom base looks pretty solid, and I will gently test it when my tripod comes on Monday.

And as for the swimming pool, $25 and you've got a deal!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top