Re: Sony NXCAM (HXR-NX5) major (?) problem

major (?) problem - use precaution.
The HXR-FMU128 is very sensitive to power cycles. Sony even warns against unplugging the USB cable from a PC without doing a proper USB shutdown, not to mention NEVER write to the unit, format the unit, or move files around on the unit while connected to a PC.

Based on my personal experiences, data to flash memory units can become corrupt during a read/write cycle if power is interrupted. One corrupted, the unit must be reformatted. Some bit errors can still remain after a format and the unit may not work, or work until the bad spot is addressed again during usage, and in some cases may not reformat at all. I have been able to try another camera and correct the corrupted data flash unit with a good format. My thought is, one or both of your units got corrupted and the camera, with limited error reporting, limited on-board diagnostics, and no error correction feature was giving you a ‘catch-all’ error message with little to no meaningful explanation of the real trouble.

Based on more of my personal experiences using a Sony CX7, HDR-CX500, VX2100, FX1, etc. and flash cards for them....I would sometimes have to use a different camera to format a card before it would work again in the unit it was corrupted on. I once had a memory stick that formatted and worked fine in a digital camera but not a video handicam.

Tapes jam and flash units corrupt. Suggest having a spare or two of each type memory handy. I must remind myself to use caution ALWAYS when working with flash units.

I have a FMU128 unit and waiting on the NX5U to arrive any day now. I plan as a precaution to NEVER delete a clip, NEVER mix recording modes, and to power down the USB port and shutdown the PC before unplugging the FMU128.