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rip sony pcm-d50

My Sony fieldrecorder died after a mere 4 years. Well, it's not really dead but it freezes and lately it sometimes refuses to start up.


I opened it to verify the usual suspects like power supply problems but the problem seems to be somewhat more complicated then that.
With external power it draws 50 mA when operational. When it doesn't start up it actually draws 35 mA and as the power switch is connected to the processor it clearly does something.

Unfortunately I promised to record a christmas concert....

There is a famous duo around this time of the year, maybe they can fix something.

The letter is already written.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Did you find a solution? I think I have the same problem. Mine only worked for 2 years. Switch seemed to be acting up and now won't turn on at all.
Koen said…
I'm afraid it will stay dead. Even if I knew what components to replace most of them are simply too small to handle by hand.
Anonymous said…
Did you try a reset NAND through a "key check + format" in service/test mode? If you can't find a service manual, just enter a test mode by this button sequence:

Setting the serivce mode:
>Turn on power to the set. Turn the limiter switch on while pressing [A-B] button and [DIVIDE] button at the same time, next select a "KeyChk+Fmt" and perform a button test.
>When an input has been determined, the backlight is illuminated for 0.5 second. When all the inputs have been confirmed at least once, NAND is formatted (all the issues are deleted) and the MENU settings are defaulted.
(quotes form service manual)
Koen said…
Thanks for your tip, I gave it a go but unfortunately the device does not start up at all :(
Anonymous said…
Anyone still reading this post in order to help me?

I have quite the same issues, my device won't turn on by the first attempt and then – after a succesful start – freezes quickly afterwards. There is no pattern (time or function) for the freeze and I am very disappointed because I bought the D50 as a used device for my work as a radio journalist.

What else could I try or is this problem already known??
Koen said…
I think it is a known problem with a lot of angry customers.
No solution if you need it for anything serious but you could try this: http://www.fixya.com/support/t9085424-sony_pcm_d50_mu_sony_pcm_d50_takes
Unknown said…
I just took my PCM-D50 out of storage after a year in a cushioned protective gear case, no batteries in it, of course. Put in fresh batteries. Nothing. Wouldn't turn on. Tried that NAND reset using finger yoga. Still dead as a door nail. So I pulled off it's little wind sock, and started gently blowing short puffs into the condenser microphones in the vertical position while turning the volume knobs up and down. That did just as much good. It's dead, Jim. Dead.
Unknown said…
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Unknown said…
Gosh - mines dead too. This MUST be a known issue. Sony no longer service them - gee I wonder why....!
Unknown said…
Gosh - mines dead too. This MUST be a known issue. Sony no longer service them - gee I wonder why....!
masta said…
same here, my d-50 have been dead for many years...at first i had to power on/off for 4-5 times and it would still work...but then i left it unpowered for a few months...BOOM DEAD!! SONY "Pro" division equipment?
Athanasios said…
Hello there, I am looking for a sony d50 lcd screen to replace my broken one. If anyone is interested of selling his dead d50 for parts (or just the lcd display would be fine) please contact me at spogos@gmail.com
Thanks!
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Anonymous said…
I would be interested selling it maybe, where are you located ?
Anonymous said…
Unfortunately I have the exact same problem, I've bought mine in 2008 and the issue appeared at 2021, so maybe I am one of the lucky ones. So sad to hear that this is not resolved..
Athanasios said…
I already got an lcd and replaced the broken one. Works as a charm 😉 Thanks for your reply though.
Anonymous said…
There are people at China that can fix D50s and D100s. Look for Xianyu app on Play Store or App Store. @wipeyourbuttocks on Discord if anyone wants to contact me!
Anonymous said…
I bought a new D-100 when it was relatively fresh on the market, perhaps a year after its debut. A couple of years later I added a used D-50 that worked upon arrival, but developed the same problems mentioned here after a few months and died not much later. If I knew about the D-50's problem beforehand I'd never spent money on it, of course, but neither had I bothered to consider the purchase of a D-100. Guess I'm lucky that the latter one is working to this day without a single hiccup. Couldn't throw away the D-50 by the way, neat looking thing that still resides in its genuine leather case, what a pitty.
Anonymous said…
I’m baffled that in 2024 we still don’t have the underlying reason for why the D50 dies. My D50 is also dead drawing around 35mA not starting up. Working with electronics since many years I’ve tried to find the reason and I do believe IC1001 might need a reflow since it’s a BGA and pressing it slightly changes the power consumption upwards a few mA’s. Also, the unleaded solder is probably to blame for this. Would be interested in hearing from others re my theory.
Perus said…
On top of that is IC1001 very well hidden placed on the board beneath all the others hence the price for an official repair.