S30 4-way controller problems

[sid_freeman]

I've been having some trouble with the 4 way controller on the powershot s30 recently. I bought the camera about a year and 3 months ago and when I bought it I had read that the controller could be annoying but that eventually you get used to it. Which I did. However recently it has become increasingly more and more difficult to perform certain functions with the controller. The most annoying of which is deleting a photo. When trying to select 'erase' by pushing straight down on the controller it always moves to either side selecting the 'cancel' option. It is terribly annoying and to the point where my wife refuses to use the camera (since she can't delete any photos of herself that she doens't like). It usually takes me 6-7 attempts to delete a single photo.

Another problem I've had recently is with the video out function. When I send the signal from camera to television the horizontal balance is all out of wack. Has anyone else experienced either of these problems? I would have thought I would find more postings about the 4 way controller problem but most people seem content with it.

Unfortunately the manufacturers warranty on the camera is up and I did not purchase an extended warranty. I am going to wait unti the new year to send it off to Canon for a repair estimate. I'm sure the video out problem can be fixed (at what cost? I don't kow) but I think the 4way controller is more of a design flaw than something that can be repaired. They will likely just replace it but I worry that it will fail again due to wear and tear.

Any comments would be appreciated.
Sid

[Stringrazor]

I just bought a used S30 via Ebay and quickly found that the multi-controller can be a bit hard to use. Oh well, the S30 does so much so well that I can cut it some slack for its weak areas.

As for the video problem, make sure you've got the proper video output setting for your TV (it's in the MENU somewhere) - NTSC for USA/Canada/Japan and PAL for Europe/Aus/NZ. Having the wrong setting would cause the problem you describe. Other causes could be a bad cable or a dirty jack. Have you tried other cables? I didn't get the Canon video cable but a standard stereo 1/8"-to-RCA (black=audio, red=video ...if memory serves) worked for me. You may want to try moistening the 1/8" plug with a very small amount of contact cleaner and inserting/removing/turning it a few times.

[stardis]

I have always had a bit of a problem using the 4-way controller to delete messages. I think partly it is the camera, partly me.

[Carnivore]

I purchased an S40 about a year ago. Over the last month the multi-controller operation has degraded to a point where the "set" function no longer works. A friend of mine who also has a S40 had the same problem and ended up sending it in for repair.

I have seen this problem discussed on sevral boards so it appears that this is not an isolated issue. I am wondering if a Canon service bulliten has been issued for this problem.


Looks as if I will need to have mine repaired. I use this camera on a regular basis so I hope to find somewhere that can turn it around quickly. Any suggestions?

[snapshooter]

sid_freeman wrote:
I've been having some trouble with the 4 way controller on the powershot s30 recently. I bought the camera about a year and 3 months ago and when I bought it I had read that the controller could be annoying but that eventually you get used to it. Which I did. However recently it has become increasingly more and more difficult to perform certain functions with the controller. The most annoying of which is deleting a photo. When trying to select 'erase' by pushing straight down on the controller it always moves to either side selecting the 'cancel' option. It is terribly annoying and to the point where my wife refuses to use the camera (since she can't delete any photos of herself that she doens't like). It usually takes me 6-7 attempts to delete a single photo.

Another problem I've had recently is with the video out function. When I send the signal from camera to television the horizontal balance is all out of wack. Has anyone else experienced either of these problems? I would have thought I would find more postings about the 4 way controller problem but most people seem content with it.

Unfortunately the manufacturers warranty on the camera is up and I did not purchase an extended warranty. I am going to wait unti the new year to send it off to Canon for a repair estimate. I'm sure the video out problem can be fixed (at what cost? I don't kow) but I think the 4way controller is more of a design flaw than something that can be repaired. They will likely just replace it but I worry that it will fail again due to wear and tear.

Any comments would be appreciated.
Sid


go through the menus, you might have selected the wrong video type pal/ntsc ... it's there, i've played with it..... hehe

the 4-way button does need a little bit of getting use to.... but thanks to SNES its really not that difficult...
it like operating a stick shift on a car, a tiny car..... hehe.
if you're going to press "set" let go first, before depressing the button, so it will be in its natural position when you press it.