Worries that there would be difficulty in getting Sony Professional video and broadcasting equipment serviced in Queensland were allayed today by Nick Buchner, Senior Product Marketing Manager - Business Solutions Division of Sony Australia.

With the sale of the repair division of Brisbane based VideoPro to Planet Tech, it was feared that delays in getting equipment serviced and repaired would blow out to weeks rather than days. Some professional videographers and editors were even worried that equipment may have to be shipped to Sydney, further delaying the process. Some had quoted up to six weeks being expected in down time.

When contacted, Mr Bucher allayed these fears immediately, stating whilere there would be a transition period while audits were completed. “Videopro’s Service Division, which formerly did pro repairs, was bought out by Planet Tech. Planet Tech will be handling pro repairs in the future, however this will not happen until an audit has been completed to ensure they have the suitable staff and service equipment to undertake such repairs.”

He went on to say, “Until that time, customers are welcome to contact our Brisbane Technical Support Rep - Mark Ninness on 07 3334 4027 -  and/or deliver pro repairs to Sony’s South Brisbane offices – 25 Donkin St -  for the attention of Mark. Where necessary, repairs will be sent to Sydney, who will then deal directly with the customer”.

By David Hague

David is the owner and publisher of AusCam Online. He has a background in media dating back to 1979 when he first got involved with photojournalism in motorsport, and went from there into technology via a 5 year stint with Tandy Computers. Following that, he ran a software distribution company on the Gold Coast and was one of the first to recognise the potential of Microsoft Windows.

Moving back to WA, David wrote scripts for Computer Television for video training for the just released Windows and Office 95 among others, and was then lured to Sydney to create web sites for the newly commercial Internet in 1995, building hundreds of sites under contract to OzEmail including Coates Hire, Hertz Queensland, John Williamson, the NSW Board of Studies and many, many more.

He went back into full time journalism as the Managing Editor for Channel 7's 'Gadget Guy', Peter Blasina's publications VideoCamera and Pixelmag, before starting Australasian Camcorder magazine when these publications were shelved. He lives at Sydney's Avalon Beaches nearly on the ocean front with dog Budweiser and in his spare time is a nut for motor sport, road safety, fishing, science fiction - especially Dr Who - and technology.

David can be contacted via david@auscamonline.com