Here is a selection of upgrades and fixes from Sony's engineering board. For more detail go to the Sony at www.sonysupport.com, search for f900 and download the particular document that you are interested in.

Note the serial number of the camera that you are using as some of these fixes relate to manufacturing screw ups that do not effect all cameras.

Also note that some fixes are included with system software upgrades. You'll need to download the software upgrade details to check which of these upgrades are included.

Remember that whilst these fixes were being designed there is often little communication between Sony and end user. Some fixes relate to manufacturing faults and others appear to be enhancing performance.

Why does Sony not inform end users of these faults?

KEY OPERATION DISABLED; TC AND AUDIO METER NOT DISPLAYED

Document ID 202004005

Publication date12/01/2004

When power is turned ON, the CPU on the SY-285 board may hang. As a result, keys on the camera are disabled, and TC and audio meter are not displayed

PARTS REGISTRATION - CASSETTE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY

Document ID 202003228

New cassette compartment assemblies are available for the half- inch camcorder to :

. Improve performance of tape ejection and release of the cassette lid in low temperature environments, and

. Standardize on the assembly used in different series camcorders.

CASSETTE JAMS AT EJECTION IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES

Models: HDW-700A, HDW-F900

Document ID 202000277

Publication date 20-November-2000

The stopper plate on the eject mechanism was redesigned but if you have a older camera cassettes can jam

in extreme temperatures.

FLICKER IN PROGRESSIVE MODE

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID 202002135

Publication date 17-June-2002

Flickering highlights in progressive mode can be solved with this fix. It is apparently not the same fix as occurs when using 1/250 second in progressive modes.

PICTURE DISRUPTED WHEN VF TUBE ASSEMBLY IS ROTATED

Models: HDVF-20, HDVF-20A, HDW-750, HDW-750/9E, HDW-F900

Document ID 202003020

Publication date 23-January-2003

This fixes a covering plate that prevents a cable being snagged when the viewfinder is rotated. There is a fault with some viewfinders where the top part of the picture is distorted. This may be the same fix.

AUDIO NOISE WHEN USED WITH WRR-860

Models: HDW-700, HDW-700A, HDW-F900

Document ID 202002083

Publication date 6-May-2002

New connector prevents drum noise interference on radio mic when mic is being powered by camera.

TAPE KEEPS RUNNING AFTER PERFORMING REC REVIEW; SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID 202002088

Publication date 6-May-2002

Fixes fault where tape keeps running after performing rec review. A pain this one that lead to discontinuous timecode.

NOISE AT +18 dB

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID 202002012

Publication date 14-January-2002

Vertical band of noise at 18db on felt side of frame can be fixed with this "upgrade"

COOLING EFFICIENCY

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID 202001020

Publication date 22-January-2001

Possibly a good trick, but should we all do it or wait for a problem?

MEMORY STICK READ ERROR

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID 202001296

Publication date 15-October-2001

This is a hardware fix for cameras that have errors trying to read memory sticks.

So it may not be a memory stick problem as most of us assumed.

HDW-F900 : SY V1.15 (SY-285 Board)

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID PRE-01KN

Publication date 19-November-2001

Reduces flicker when gain is selected

VF DETAIL LEVEL UP

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID 202002194

Publication date 19-August-2002

This mod improves detail of the viewfinder. So should we all get it? or does it repair a batch of dodgy viewfinders?

HDW-F900 : SV V1.06 (SV-218 board)

Models: HDW-F900

Document ID PRE-01MA

Publication date 23-August-2002

This fixed the fault of tape rolling on past end of recording when return was hit. This caused consternation for some time.

TROUBLE WITH CASSETTE INSERT/EJECT

Models: HDW-750, HDW-750/9E, HDW-F900, MSW-900, MSW-900P

Document ID 302002192

Publication date 7-October-2002

This is a new part that rectifies a design fault of the original.

STREAKING NOISE ON Y/PB/PR OUTPUT

models f900, 1/2/3

Tech Bulletin 20-2003-170

Monitor out problem only not recorded to tape.

STREAKING NOISE ON HDSDI OUTPUT

Models f900,1/2/3/

Tech Bulletin 20-2003-174

Same as above but fixes the problem when HDC-901 is connected to the unit.

BRIGHT AREAS WERE COLOURED WHEN SHUTTER SELECTED

UPGRADE SOFTWARE V2.02 Models f900

The famous flicker in highlights can now be more easily rectified with this upgrade.

AUTO BLACK BALANCE CORRECTION

UPGRADE SOFTWARE V2.02 Models f900

If black level was set to neg auto bb would not function. This is fixed in the V2.02 software.

HKDW-902 INVERSION BOARD

UPGRADE SOFTWARE V2.02

Models f900 If this option is installed the DC clamp level is too low.

BLACK BALANCE LOST WHEN GAIN IS INCREASED

Tech bulletin 20-2003-173

This fixes a fault where black is lost when gain is increased.