Any more cracks appearing in the HD5 buttons ?

[johann1979]

Hi guys, I have placed my order for the special edition 30GB HD5 online and have been reading through all the threads regarding the HD5 while I'm waiting for it to ship.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my gadgets and one thing I read in a totally unrelated thread regarding error messages, has worried me most.

I was wondering if anybody else noticed little cracks between the arrow buttons in the middle and the four buttons set around it?

The poster swears the cracks appeared some time after buying the player. I don't doubt him for a second, but it just doesn't make sense. Metal should bend before it cracks, so how can these cracks appear even after possible mishandling?

Has anybody else noticed this?

[dzysheep]

hmmm...interested in seeing picture of the crack

[sacd]

Yes!

[dzysheep]

Originally Posted by sacd

Yes!

u have cracks too?

[David Mackenzie]

I'd like to see a picture of these cracks. I'm sure they're meant to be there ... I've always had little tiny gaps between the buttons.

[johann1979]

Hey thanks guys for your replies so far. The original mention of these fractures were posted in the ''System Error' problems with HD5' thread by Hrochnick - maybe he could supply a photo.

I've looked very carefully at the pictures of the HD5 on Sony's website and noticed the edges surrounding the buttons are slightly rounded, making it even more unlikely to fracture.

I really would like to believe that it is not possible - hopefully this was a one-off problem and the unit he got had tiny tears in the corners when it left the factory, causing these fractures to occur.

Thanks guys

[Hrochnick]

As requested, a picture of the cracks... you can clearly see them in three out of four corners and each one is slightly different suggesting (as I know they have) that they have appeared after manufacture.

Annoying as they are, the don't in any way interfere with the operation of the unit and wouldn't overly bother me if it were not compounded by the system error problem - which is actually starting to **** me off quite a lot.

[dzysheep]

hmmm this is quite disturbing

anyone else noticed this?

[johann1979]

well - thank you so much for the picture - I previously misunderstood you and thought they ran from the middle buttons out to the outside four buttons. Obviously this is quite disturbing and not something I would put up with!

Take it back! I would definitely take it back if I discovered those on my HD5 - it is clear that it is a manufacturer's fault as there is just no way you could cause that.

I've pre-ordered the 30GB version and have serious doubts about it now. I wonder what Sony will say if you email them and send them the picture...( ?)

[LFC_SL]

Sony, why can't you get DAPs right?!?!?! their old CD walkmans were great - I had three difffereent ones which had good SQ and build quality. I only got rid of them to upgrade.

Hopefully it will turn out this problem is limited and the majority of HD5s are ok

[mrtbag]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Sony, why can't you get DAPs right?!?!?!

Maybe that's a question that should be directed to Sony. I appreciate that people are frustrated with the issues they are experiencing, but how many have actually contacted Sony direct?

Luckily, I have had no need to, but in case you do:

SUK.generalcic@eu.sony.com

[johann1979]

Guys

I just sent Sony a long email and attached your picture, Hrochnick (sorry about the copyright infringement there... .

I told them my pre-order for the 30GB unit was under threat and that it is obvious from that picture that they used materials of inferior quality not fit for their purpous on the buttons.

It would be interesting to see their reply. As soon as I get it I will smack it on here.

[johann1979]

purpose I meant

[johann1979]

my main concern here is if these fractures showed up after just two weeks on Hrochnick's HD5, how long down the line before most people's start cracking? It is a very thin piece of plastic/metal that link the four buttons with each other in the middle and i'm really concerned about the quality of the materials used... get back to you when I hear from Sony.

Magnesium is a metal which is notorious for cracking if the corner radii are to sharp or the tooling hits the sheet too hard. The Aircraft industry use tons of the stuff as it is light strong and durable except in seawater envoiroments, where it need coatings.........It is also very volatile and has been the basis of Incendiary weapons for over a century, most high intensity battlefield flares are magnesium.

If there are insufficient radius allowances the corners of apertures the edges will suffer stress cracks if the material is thin enough. The unfortunates that flew on Comets 1's in the early 1950's found out to their cost what happens when stress cracks migrate ................................