Model 12 develops screen fault after four months home-only use

[bobbydj]

Hi guys

I've been enjoying working with my Model 12 for a couple of months now. I've generally found it quick and easy to use. A pleasure.

However, after a month or so it developed a series of vertical lines on the levels screen - which fbow I decided to ignore. These lines have now spread to the home screen and are actually starting to piss me off quite a bit now. I googled this problem and noticed someone on Reddit had posted a similar issue, but received only one reply. "Turn the contrast up" was mentioned. Here are some photos of the problem:






I dread having to send this unit through the post and having to be without it until a new screen is fitted or the fault is repaired. At this particular juncture that would cause severe inconvenience and see an important project grind to a halt. For how long, I could only guess. But weeks seems optimistic.

Just to be clear, this Model 12 has only ever been used at home - in a dry room, with a quite consistent, constant temperature. No strong light, no damp, no adverse conditions of any sort. I'm the only person who uses it. Or even goes near it. It's had a cosseted life thus far. It's never been transported anywhere, it's never been subject to sweaty, damp live environments, or bumped around in the boot of a car with other gear bouncing around on top of it.

What would you guys do about this? I'm guessing it can only be a case of take your memory card out, belatedly fill out the warranty card, and send the b*st*rd thing off overseas for some sort of replacement screen to be fitted. Is that wildly pessimistic?

 

[Max Relic]

Hardware fault demands technical assistance. Unless you are willing to open the case, reach to the LCD display, detach it from the pcb, inspect the contact strip, clean it, reinstall the LCD, close the case and check if it solved your issue.
IMO raising LCD contrast can only make the vertical lines more visible. Don't blindly trust any advice you read on the net, mine included

 

[bobbydj]

Thanks - but do you know if this is a known fault? Have you seen it mentioned previously on this forum in the last two and a half years?

 

[Max Relic]

I don't recall a similar issue mentioned, but it doesn't imply it never happened before to someone else. Not all people with the same interests join a forum.
I would try submitting your case to the Tascam Model 12 Users Fb group (3000+ subscribers) or TASCAM Model 12, 16 and 24 Owners group (4800+ subs, administrated by a Tascam rep I guess).

 

[-mjk-]

@bobbydj said:

What would you guys do about this?

Contact the seller and give them an opportunity to respond.

I dread having to send this unit through the post and having to be without it until a new screen is fitted or the fault is repaired

Don't make any assumptions. That is only 1 way to solve the issue. Give the seller the opportunity to make it right and voice your concerns directly with them.

 

[bobbydj]

Thanks. I was assuming the seller (Amazon) would not be able to do anything until the unit had been inspected. Having thought it through, I concluded they'd be unlikely to say oh dear, we'll send another new one out to you tomorrow.

 

[bobbydj]

I apologise for not mentioning the unit was brand new.

 

[bobbydj]

Screen is almost completely black now. I'm surprised at how quickly it's deteriorated.

 

[-mjk-]

Thanks. I was assuming the seller (Amazon) would not be able to do anything until the unit had been inspected. Having thought it through, I concluded they'd be unlikely to say oh dear, we'll send another new one out to you tomorrow.

Remember, Amazon is the selling platform. The individual company is the seller. Amazon doesn't inspect things. They throw returns into a box and sell them as bulk lots.

I bought a weather station. That thing is amazing. I installed it and it quit operating after 3 days. I contacted the seller through Amazon. They sent me a replacement via USPS. It got lost so they sent me another one.

The point I'm trying to make is - you never know until you ask. At first, the seller wasn't going to send me a replacement. I was able to convince them that it was the right thing to do, and that is what they did. You have nothing to lose, but the longer you wait, the harder it will be to resolve.

Sorry to hear that the screen went bad, and so quickly.

 

[bobbydj]

ok - a quick follow-up on this issue

Quick facts: The seller was Amazon. Not someone selling a Model 12 on Amazon, nor through Amazon, nor with Amazon - but yes, Amazon itself.

At first there was some pillar-to-post shenanigans, after ringing a helpline, and then a second number, and finally a third. The third number was an offshore (probably Indian subcontinent-based) call-centre. The person was difficult to understand. But we got there after a few minutes.

The solution was simple. A second, brand-new Model 12 would be delivered in a matter of days, and a Q-code return label would be provided, so that I could box up and return my dark screened Model 12.

And this is precisely what happened.

I now have a new Model 12, and have been using it to great effect in the past few days - after swapping my SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC card.

In other words, the process was quick, pain-free and so far very satisfactory.