Need service manual for Canon EX1Hi camcorder

[TC203]

Hello! I have a couple of old Canon EX1Hi camcorders which are need of a complete overhaul; however, I can't find a service manual for this model anywhere. I've found one for the EX2Hi, but, although they look similar, their insides seem to be completely different upon examination. If anyone knows the whereabouts of a copy of this service manual or could point me in the right direction I would be extremely grateful! I know of many people asking the same thing. Thanks in advance!

[Ron]

Hello TC203,

Thanks for letting us know what Canon product you've got. The Canon EX1Hi camcorder is an older model which we have retired. While that means that Canon USA no longer offers direct support for it, your friends here in the Canon Community are welcome to offer suggestions!

You can also speak with a Canon Upgrade Program specialist to help you find a modern replacement that would meet your current needs at a discount. You can reach them Monday through Friday at 1-866-443-8002.

Hope this helps!

[TC203]

Hi Ron,

Is there not any kind service manual archive or something like that at Canon?

[IamintheUK]

Canon themselves will have archived service manuals, but they are not made available to the public. What Ron is saying is that due to the age of the camera they no longer provide any support for it. You would have to try and find an independent repair facility..

[TC203]

The reason I am getting a bit annoyed is I am perfectly capable of repairing the camcorder myself, I just need the schematics etc. I've already recapped it, I just need to track down the other faults in the system control board. This is the only camcorder I've worked on (except one very obscure model) where I couldn't find the service manual; I even found some for a couple of random France-only Hitachi ones. Why don't they make them available to the public? Couldn't they just scan and upload them to the Internet Archive or something? Anyway, thanks for the response.

[Engemite]

Sorry for your frustration TC. I share it. I'm hopeful that eventually, Right to Repair laws will compel companies to release service information the moment a product reaches end-of-support, with no further service options. Clearly there's nothing to lose by releasing this information, since the products have no commercial importance and contain no secret proprietary technology.

Unfortunately, these days most manufacturers' policy is not to release any service information except to authorised service centres that have signed NDAs.

In general, this used not to be the case. I remember Sony TVs and radios that came with schematics taped to the inside of the housing. I had computers and printers in the 1980s that had schematics, protocols and memory maps printed in the back of the user manual.