Audio Noise Defect found in Small Number of Panasonic PV-GS400

The problem was first found by CamcorderInfo.com staff member Guy Bruner. He discovered the problem from feedback on the CamcorderInfo.com Panasonic PV-GS400 message boards, as well as on Pana3CCDUser.com. Bruner first reported the problem around two weeks ago in an article titled Tape Transport Noise: A QC Issue?. The article includes sample sound files that clearly show the difference between a working PV-GS400 and a broken PV-GS400. The article has now been updated with an official response from Panasonic US.

CamcorderInfo.com contacted Panasonic US regarding the problem, who in turn investigated it with their Japanese headquarters. In a letter to CamcorderInfo.com , Andy Nelkin, Vice President of the Panasonic Optical Group responded, "Please pardon the delay in responding to your inquiry regarding Panasonic DVC camcorders. Our engineers and technical staffs have spent this time looking at this issue and finding a remedy. They believe the noises your readers described may be caused by a misalignment of the camcorders' transport mechanism. After checking our inventory and reviewing data from around the world, we have concluded that such a situation affects less than one-tenth of one percent of actual DVC camcorder production."

Jim Reilly, Director of Public Relations for Panasonic, clarified that only one-tenth of one percent of the total PV-GS400 in the US are affected by this problem. This mollifies earlier confusion about the breadth of the problem.

It is a major step for Panasonic to recognize the problem. In an incident earlier this year, a defect with the video performance of Sony DCR-HC85s was brought to the attention of Sony, and they were reluctant or unable to identify how many models were affected.

In his letter, Nelkin stated that the only way to identify if a PV-GS400 is broken is for Panasonic to inspect it. He said that if an owner of a PV-GS400 is experiencing the clicking noise from their tape transport, Panasonic will fix the camera and send it back to the user at no charge. Nelkin said users should send their camcorders to the following address:

Panasonic Services Company
1705 N. Randall Road
Elgin, IL 60123-7847
Attention: Camcorder Repairs

Nelkin did not mention warranties when he suggested that users return their products. It is unclear what users from other countries should do with their broken PV-GS400s, and whether their local repair centers will be aware of the problem.

Editorial Note: This issue, of course, raises questions as to whether or not it is advisable to purchase a PV-GS400 considering that there is a confirmed defect with it. In July, CamcorderInfo.com heavily recommended the PV-GS400 as an outstanding purchase. This publication withheld recommending the Sony DCR-HC85 because of its video performance defect and because Sony could not identify which units were affected. In this case, however, Panasonic has taken proper action to solve the problem. Although, like Sony, they can not identify which units have been hurt, Panasonic has admitted that there is a problem and made very clear that they will fix any units with the problem. We believe Panasonic is doing everything they can to solve this issue. We still recommend the PV-GS400; however, we suggest that, as soon as you take your camcorder home, you listen for the noise problem. If one occurs, bring this article to the store you purchased it from and attempt to get an exchange. If they will not exchange your product, send it to the Panasonic address listed in the article.