My DVX firewire port is broken - is $350 to repair realistic?

[Unsomnambulist]

While importing footage from my DVX100A to computer, someone tripped on the cable, and it screwed up the jack on the camera.

Looking close, it looks like one of the four tiny metal contacts someone bent back, or off. The camera is now unable to export footage.

I called Panasonic, and even though I live in Los Angeles the closest dealer is a bit out of the way in Santa Monica (I'm in Hollywood - miles wise, not bad. Traffic wise, that at least 45 minutes away).

The dealer said the repair would cost at least $350, assuming only the jack was damaged, and would take one to two weeks to repair.

So, two questions:

1. Sight unseen, does this seem reasonable?
2. Would it make more sense to send it in to Panasonic, and are there any advantages to sending it directly to them - such as, do they include additional head cleaning and such when products are sent in?

Bonus question: does anyone know of anywhere closer/better in the Hollywood, CA area for DVX repairs?

Thanks!

 

[manglerBMX]

the firewire ports are somewhat fragile little connectors and a lot goes into them. i think $350 for a repair of that seems reasonable. but it also depends on how much you need your firewire port on your camera. if you are using a dte device such as a firestore i can see it being very important, but if you use it just for capturing footage you have some other options. the best option would be to go buy a cheap single chip camera for capturing and playback. you can possibly get an open box buy or something for less than $200. this will also help cut back the hours you put on your camera heads, thus extending the life of your camera. but driving 45 minutes to hand deliver your camera is a nice option rather than boxing it up, and shipping it off to someone and somewhere far off in a distant place. i'd rather drive 45 minutes to hand deliver it and be able to pick it up, that would be worth $50-$75 to me just in time alone.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

the best option would be to go buy a cheap single chip camera for capturing and playback. you can possibly get an open box buy or something for less than $200. this will also help cut back the hours you put on your camera heads, thus extending the life of your camera.

Thanks, Mangler. That seems obvious, but I never thought of that! It also gives me an excuse to buy a second cheap camera!

Regarding the relatively short drive - we're just spoiled here in LA. Still, there's a Panasonic HQ a little more than a mile from where I live - just wish they could help out there!

 

[68bird]

I guess I got it made My brother broke my dvx100b mic casing on the front . I have a company within an hour away from me I called him he ordered the part I sent the camera and the next morning he fixed it and sent back out same day and I recieved it the following day that was a exspensive fix also but worth every penny when you have professionals like that there located in montreal Quebec .. A++++++++++++ they are called inter city video