Sony comes clean about CCD defect
posted Oct 10th 2005 8:11AM
What can you say when a manufacturer finally comes clean about a
product defect, three years after the fact? If that manufacturer is Sony, and the defect is a CCD problem that affects
over 100 different models of digital cameras, camcorders and PDAs made from 2002 to 2004, you might say, "gosh, no
wonder your market share is slipping!" According to Sony, the defect, which affects both the recording and displaying
of images "only occurs to a limited number of units" (ain't that always the case?). The company is offering free
repairs to anyone whose camera is still experiencing the problems, though we have to wonder how many owners of
long-discontinued digicams like the 2 megapixel DSC-P31 have been hanging onto their defective cameras just waiting for
this announcement — and how many have moved on to newer (and probably non-Sony) models in the interim.
SONY once again screws their customer base over. Just check these MINOR Sony issues out:
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000070037508/
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/psp/sony-psp-hardware-problems-027933.php
Hopefully the power of consumers teaches them a lesson by not buying their products this holiday season.
Ahh... the P31... brings back fond memories of Silicon Valley in the winter....
Tsch. I had a DSC-p51 (which is on the list). the screen died, I thought 'oh well', and bought another Sony camera. Feel a bit silly now.
Just hope they do the repairs free of cost globally and not just in Japan / US.
what was the problem? I have a PS150 which has developed a small strange shadow on both the screen (and the recording) which I attributed to a problem on the lens. Cleaning the front of the lens doesn't shift it. Tried to get it fixed within the warranty here in the Netherlands....Nah you don't want to hear that story.
The rest of the world? Let me tell you something, I don't care about the rest of the world.
Heh, nice one George W. Bush. Urm, where is the list? My digicam died a while ago, and the same model a friend has also went too. I hope they can fix it!
I bought my mom a P51 back in the day to jumpstart her into the 21st century and shortly after the screen died. Sent it back to Sony, they 'fixed' it and the screen died again. But I figured out how to fix it on my own. If the screen goes dark or black, just hit it. Works everytime.
There is a well known problem with CCD's on their camcorders. This problem persisted for years. Just a s the well known videohead and tape transport problems on panasonic camcorders etc... The problem is that it is the policy of these companies to deny these problems. ".. oh, you are the first one with this problem..."
Solution: browse all these usergroups on the internet before buying stuff - whatever the brand.
FYI -- this issue affects more than just Sony cameras. Canon & Fuji have been using the affected CCD's in many of their products as well.
See: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0510/05100602canon_ccdproblem.asp
and
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0510/05100403fuji_advisory.asp
Have had one of these for a few years. It quit about two months ago. Just hadn't tossed it yet. Called them when it happened and all I got was the T/S response. Called again this morning..had to point their rep. to the webpage before he would do anything. Now they will fix it if I ship it to Texas :) Going to get it fixed then give it away. Two megpixels is a bit out of date today.
What was the result from teh bad CCD? Like.. if you have a bad CCD how would you know?
I actually own that camera... It's sitting around somewhere....
Where is this list to see if your product is affected?
Where can i go to find out how to get my camera fixed?
I have a p51 with this problem and a swift whack always made it function again. I "RTFA" but I didn't see where it explained how to go about getting an affected camera fixed.
Hmm... anywhere to get a list of the products? I have a CD500 and a DSC-S40. Minor, but hopefully not the ones affected.
How ever may years ago I bought the P51 for myself and my father in law. They both have the same problem, the LCD just doesnt work some times, a good swift wack does the job ussually but getting them to fix it for both of us would be great! If the people writing into this are any indication, they have a lot of repairs on thier hands.
Thanks jcrkelly (#10)
Typical response amount people here to just jump to conclusions and bash when you can before knowing the facts.
Why not bash Canon and Fuji while you are at it?
I went to this page for the P31.
There is a 1-866 number to call listed there.
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=DSCP31&news_id=95
“only occurs to a limited number of units” - as opposed to an "infinite number of units"..
I wonder if they're really repairing them, or replacing them?
My Sony PSC-P10 is one of the ones affected.
-- Elias
Thanks for that link with phone#. Unfortunately still no list of products affected.
Whar's the list???
customers who have a Sony Digital Still Camera as outlined below and if said Sony Digital Still Camera exhibits the above-mentioned condition caused by the image sensor device, CCD chip, may contact the special call center set forth below for free repair:
DSC-F717 - DSC-P10 - DSC-P12 - DSC-P2 - DSC-P31 - DSC-P32 - DSC-P51 - DSC-P52 - DSC-P7 - DSC-P71 -DSC-P72 - DSC-P8 - DSC-P92 - DSC-U10 - DSC-U20 - DSC-U30 - DSC-U60 - DSC-V1 - MVC-CD400 - MVC-CD500 - MVC-FD200
I have a P-31 with this problem.. i try to repair with this method..
I bought a Sony MVC CD 500 some 3-4 years ago and have been enjoying it for some times. I put it away and did not use if for posibly a monthwhen I decided to use it again I notice the focus was fuzzy for no apparent reason. I did not drop it or leave it out inthe cold or heath but when you look at the screen the image was sort of a streak I look through my mnual to see if there is any reference as to why this would happen and possibly a way to trouble shoot it.
The darn manual did not help a bit. Now I have this relatively expensive camrea and cannot take any pictures with it. I can still view my mini disk on it but the capability of taking picture is not there. Can anyone tell me what's the problem or is it something for Sony. Please, I need help someone, sony, anyone.