Camcorder LCD backlight problem, help!

[Alex Knappenberger]

Hey guys, I own a crapalicous low end Panasonic DV52, and a little
while ago the LCD started to go out (it would go on and off, depending
on where it is rotated to, if it was in the standard position, it
would usually be on, and then if you turned it up or down it would go
off) and it got worse over a period of 2 days, and then it finally
just stopped working totally, and the other day I noticed that you can
still see a faint image on it when put under a light, so then I
figured it's not the LCD, but the backlight, correct?

Now, from what I know, the LCD backlights have a long running life
,right? So i've came to the conclusion that it's the "flex circuit"
where the backlight connects to the camcorder...thats what it has to
be, what else could it be? I put the fact that the camcorder is
cheaply made (ecspecially the lcd portion) and its behavior together,
and got that, sounds reasonable doesn't it?

Are these things not fun to take apart? I started taking one screw
out, but I decided not to continue because I didn't know what I was
getting into.

Oh yeah, it's still under warranty (parts only) and I don't want to
send it in to Panasonic because 1. It will cost $100 for Labor (and
thats not worth it, it's only a $350 camera). and 2. I hear it can
take upto 4 months for them to get the stuff back to you, atleast I
know they are very slow.

Thanks for any advice/tips/help in advance.

 

[Ian Stirling]

Alex Knappenberger <alexk1100@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hey guys, I own a crapalicous low end Panasonic DV52, and a little
while ago the LCD started to go out (it would go on and off, depending
on where it is rotated to, if it was in the standard position, it
would usually be on, and then if you turned it up or down it would go
off) and it got worse over a period of 2 days, and then it finally
just stopped working totally, and the other day I noticed that you can
still see a faint image on it when put under a light, so then I
figured it's not the LCD, but the backlight, correct?

Sounds likely.

Now, from what I know, the LCD backlights have a long running life
,right? So i've came to the conclusion that it's the "flex circuit"
where the backlight connects to the camcorder...thats what it has to
be, what else could it be? I put the fact that the camcorder is
cheaply made (ecspecially the lcd portion) and its behavior together,
and got that, sounds reasonable doesn't it?

Flex PCB connectors seem to be very easy to get the design wrong
so that they fracture after some cycles.
The fracture will often be visible if you flex the connector by
being slightly more bendy.
There are various ways to repair:
Obtain a new connector, and replace.

Shave the top layer from the cable, with a very sharp knife, solder
a fine wire.

Solder wires to the ends of the connector.

Are these things not fun to take apart? I started taking one screw
out, but I decided not to continue because I didn't know what I was
getting into.

Obtain a digital camera, or camcorder, to record in detail
the dissasembly.
Take several bits of cardboard, draw diagrams and as you remove the
screws place each screw in its place in the diagram.

Axes, hammers, ... are contraindicated, force nothing.

If you get stuck, post.

Use screwdrivers that fit.

--
http://inquisitor.i.am/ | mailto:inquisitor@i.am | Ian Stirling.
---------------------------+-------------------------+--------------------------
Two parrots sitting on a perch. One asks the other, "Can you smell fish?"

 

[Alex Knappenberger]

Thanks a lot for the advice, man!

I might try to take it apart tonight, i'm itching to and I won't be
able to sleep, heh...but i'll probably get so far and just wait for my
uncle to help out...