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Camcorder Repair

Apr 16
Love1
usic Festivals and their impact on Pro A/V Equipment

Coachella’s Effect On Your A/V Equipment

By Audio Repairs, Camera Repairs, Projector Repair

Challenging Conditions

A/V and Event Pros are no strangers to the world of music festivals, raves, and other multi-stage venues. But one of the main challenges associated with large venues are their obscure locations. Black Rock City for Burning Man, Las Vegas Speed Way for Electric Daisy Carnival, and Coachella Valley for Coachella – all of these cities are known for their dry and dusty conditions, which we know is hell on A/V equipment. Rumors have it that Coachella Week 1 saw winds in excess of 50 MPH kicking up a dust storm which can damage camera, projector, lighting, and audio equipment.

Protecting Your Equipment

When it comes to camera and imaging equipment, proactive approaches are always best when maintaining the health of your equipment. SLR cameras like the Canon 5D and C300 are some of the most sensitive to dust leaks despite their weather seals. We recommend using a rain guard like the Ruggard RC-P18 Rain Cover as a first line of defense against the elements. Pan Tilt and Zoom cameras such as Panasonic’s AW and AK series cameras should also have their mechanical sections shielded from harsh conditions. When users can’t afford the rugged AW-PH650, it is imperative that they use equipment to protect their PTZ systems. We frequently see damaged AW-PH405’s and AW-PH360N’s suffering from dust or humidity damage that affects the mechanical sections. Just like pan and tilt camera systems, lighting equipment like Elation’s Moving Head or Martin’s MAC Moving Head is susceptible to dust damage in the motor assembly.

Regular Maintenance

Dust can get inside camera assemblies, lens assemblies, and viewfinders, affecting the quality of your productions. By performing preventative maintenance and cleaning after every festival, you can ensure the health and longevity of your equipment. This also applies to audio equipment, where dust can affect speaker and amplifier connectors, causing shorts.

How Dust Affects Your High-Lumen Projectors

Dust is the number one enemy for projection equipment. It can clog cooling channels, leading to power supply and ballast failure. This in turn can cause damage to the optical block. Dust is also know to affect and discolor the polarizing plates. It is always better to spend a few hundred dollars on a cleaning, than to spend a few thousand dollars on a new optical block.

Specials on Preventative Maintenance

Digitron Electronics has been in the business of Pro A/V Repairs and Cleaning since 1992. We frequently repair Panasonic, Sony, and Canon camcorder equipment and we are experts with Panasonic, Sanyo, and other high-lumen projector repair. Mention this article and we will waive the estimate deposit on SLR and Lens Cleaning, Video Camcorder Cleaning, and Projector Cleaning.

Mar 18
Love1

Repair… or Repurchase?

By Audio Repairs, Camera Repairs, Projector Repair, Video Repairs

Is it more cost-effective to repurchase?

A/V Trends

The A/V industry has changed dramatically over the last 22 years that we have been in business. Build quality of A/V technology has dropped dramatically, while features and affordability have climbed dramatically. Some of the interesting demographic trends we have noticed, are that the older generation of users, will seek out repairs, while the newer generation heads straight for replacement. Here are our thoughts:

Efficiency is Key

If the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the cost of replacing your unit with the same, or newer model, it is usually a safe bet to upgrade. You will get all the new features, with the added safety of a new manufacturer’s warranty. If the total cost of your unit is less than $199, it’s a safe bet that replacement will always be more efficient than repair.

Consumer models of camcorder, projector, and audio equipment are really never worth repairing. A great example with projector repair: repairing the Optoma HD20’s commonly sold at Costco cost approximately $600 new. The parts alone for repairing image discoloration are approximately $200. As you can see, with any labor costs, the cost of repair is more than 50% the cost of replacement.

The Opposite is Also True

If you have a high-brightness projector like the Sanyo PLC-XF46N that is used for business presentations or entertainment productions, then the answer is a resilient YES! You should fix it. Capital investments in high quality microphones, projectors, and camcorders are certainly worth the cost of the repair.

Preventative Maintenance

With fewer analog parts, many A/V equipment owners have forgotten that their units require regular preventative maintenance. Projectors need to be cleaned to prevent power issues. Camcorders need to be realigned and calibrated to guarantee quality color reproduction, and mics need to be maintained to guarantee high quality sound reproduction. Reduce the cost of pro A/V equipment repair by creating a strict Preventative Maintenance Schedule

Extended Warranties

Consider reducing the cost of total ownership with extended warranties from providers like Banker’s Warranty Group and Mack Camera Warranty

About Digitron Electronics

We are a consolidated repair services firm specializing in the repair of Professional Audio Video Repair. We frequently work with production companies like Encore Productions, broadcasters, and integrators, to repair and maintain projector, camcorder, broadcast, and pro audio equipment. We are also a third party logistics company helping support brands like Panasonic Broadcast, Sony Professional, and Tascam in their QA, Repairs, and Tech Support needs.

Feb 21
Love1

Panasonic AVCAM AG-HMC40 On/Off Failure and Repair

By Camera Repairs, Video Repairs

 

Panasonic AG-HMC40 Power Button Failure and Repair

Some Panasonic AG HMC-40 units are affected by a failure of the on/off button. This intermittent issue affects camcorders at any stage of use, including failure while filming causing the unit to abruptly shut off. If your unit is under warranty (standard 1 year from purchase with receipt), this issue can be fixed free of charge. For Out-of-Warranty Panasonic AVCAM AG-HMC40 Repairs, the repair is billed at the standard $90/hr, plus parts.

About Digitron Electronics

Digitron Electronics is a consolidated A/V Repair Services firm. We help consolidate A/V Repairs for Event Production Companies, Corporate Entities, Schools, and Broadcasters.

As an authorized service center for 62 different manufacturers including Panasonic, JBL, and Mackie, our team of engineers is trained to work on Projectors, High-End Video Camcorders, Lighting, and Mixing Boards, among other miscellaneous A/V equipment. We help production companies save time and money by consolidating all repairs in one convenient location with a net 30 account and free pick up/delivery for large orders.

Panasonic AG-HMC40 Repair

Jan 27
Love1

Sony Z1u Repair

By Camera Repairs, Video Repairs

The launch of Sony’s HVR-z1u is a high quality camcorder with an affordable price tag and as such, many novice filmmakers purchase the Sony z1u. The Sony z1u was designed for professionals and as such, it offers a host of advanced features and allows for precision recording, as is the case with all other of the Sony camcorders. In addition to being an affordable camcorder, the Sony z1u has been designed to offer ease of use and the diminished size of the Sony z1u has increased the overall appeal of the camcorder. Sony is a name that has always been associated with good quality audio and video equipment and the Sony products are known and used in virtually every corner of the globe. With Digitron Electronics being the authorized service agents for Sony, along with a number of well-known audio and video manufacturers, we are able to offer a highly rated Sony z1u repair. Being one of the largest independent repair agents for audio and video equipment on the West Coast and taking into account that the affordability and ease of use of the Sony z1u has made it a popular camcorder, Digitron Electronics handles high Sony z1u repair volumes and as such, our bench technicians are all qualified and experienced electronic engineers who have a good understanding of the circuitry of the Sony z1u.

Digitron Electronics was awarded the repair contract for the world’s best audio and video manufacturers and more than being a service agent authorized to carry out the Sony z1u repair, we are repair agents for Panasonic and several other well-known and renowned brands. Our competency in handling complex audio and video equipment repairs, such as the Sony z1u repair, has allowed us to partner with many other manufacturers, and we have become the authorized agents for manufacturers such as JBL, Parker, QSC, DOD, Crate, Boss, HHB, Korg, and Infinity, among a number of others. Our exceptional Sony z1u repair services have given us the chance to work with many great companies, such as Walt Disney Animation, Sony Professional, Panasonic Broadcast, Pro-HD Rentals, Fuel TV and Fox Sport, TV stations, as well as governmental agencies.

Since we handle a large number of Sony repairs, including Sony z1u repair, on a monthly basis, our technicians are able to assess the problem fast and conduct a professional repair. As an authorized service agent for Sony, other than the Sony z1u repair, we can provide repair services for most of Sony’s audio and video equipment, like the Sony PD100, PD150, PD190, etc., and the PDW200, PDW500 and of course, the Sony HVR-ZIU and the HVR-VIU, among other Sony Camcorder models. The advanced functions of the Sony z1u means that the equipment has a complex design and those who are unfamiliar with the circuitry of the Sony z1u, would not be able to carry out an effective repair. With Sony being such a great name and being a trusted manufacturer of audio and video equipment, an authorized service agent must be tasked to carry out the Sony z1u repair.

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