n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

I've noticed that the camera "image flipping" on my n800 isn't functioning properly.
When I first extend the camera it is facing me and the image is correctly oriented. But as I rotate the camera away from me, it flips the image and then unflips it - so it's upside down.

Like from 0-90 degrees the image is correct
From 90-100 degrees the image is flipped so it's corrected
From 100-180 degrees the image isn't flipped so it's upside down

What's causing this, a software problem or a hardware problem? I looked on the message board and I see no mention of this, so if it is a hardware problem, I still have time to return it to CompUSA.

Is anyone else having this problem/know of a solution?

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

You need to return that one for a replacement.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

At least, you're not alone, I've got the exact same problem.
My device is manufactured in Finland.
It's a pity to return it now... probably gonna play a bit more with it before sending it back :(

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

I just came back from CompUSA
I told them I'd like to exchange it because the camera is defective, and they were fine with it.
But before leaving Customer Service I went ahead and tried it out, and that n800 had the same problem.
So they called some people over and we talked about it - they were thinking there was some setting or something. In the end, I just asked for a refund which they were happy to do. The manager offered to try another n800, but I didn't want to open up another box just to see that it had the same problem.

It's a shame too, I really liked the n800. I guess I'll wait a few months and try again

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

I've seen two N800s in the UK, one worked perfectly the other as you described.

The N800 with the faulty camera didn't feel smooth as I rotated the camera past 90 degrees - the camera felt like it was snagging on something as I continued to rotate it towards 180 degrees. At about 150-160 degrees the image flipped the wrong way up (image upside down) but (sometimes) at 180 degrees it would invert the image again so that it displayed correctly.

Anyway, it looks like a definite manufacturing/quality control issue.

Try going to a different store and check their N800s before purchase - it's probably affecting entire batches if your CompUSA experience is anything to go by.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Made in Korea on mine. Working just fine.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

The webcam problem will not be very pervasive, or affect entire batches. Just try different devices until one flips exactly as it should. The cause has been caught and corrected.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

I have the same problem (Made in Korea) and there is a slight pull on as you rotate the camera past 90 degrees. Is there a simple fix?

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

The fix is to return the device for a replacement.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Unfortunately I am in Canada and purchased it at Compusa. I can`t return to the USA just for a replacement.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Or claim warranty with Nokia and post it to them. Mine is a Korean one that works fine. The first time I rotated the camera it felt really tight and I wasn't sure it was supposed to go that far, but now it's nice and smooth, although it still feels like one of the data cables, rather than the plastic case, is preventing it from rotating more than 180-degrees. This still a tad unsettling.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

The one I returned recently to CompUSA had this problem. Turn it to use as a 'camera' (point away from you) and the image is upside down.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

The two units my brother and I bought both have this issue. We'll be making warranty claims. Nokia should probably do a recall. This new device has been a letdown so far, not only because of this but for a number of other reasons as well. :(

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

What other reasons ?
I am loving mine so far, this being the only issue (hardware speaking) I had with it.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

A recall is unnecessary due to the small scope of the problem (sorry, can't divulge details). There will be occasional "clumps" of bad webcams but not entire lots or shipments. I realize it won't seem that way to someone returning one and getting another, but the problem really shouldn't be that pervasive and all the bad webcams in the wild should be coralled soon.

I'd also like to see what other problems you've encountered.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Texrat, thanks for the heads-up. I noticed the non-flipped image in my webcam preview before this thread surfaced, and wrote it off as a design flaw (albeit an obvious one) rather than a production problem.

Since my N800 is now languishing somewhere in the Huntsville repair queue with a broken kickstand, I called 1-888-NOKIA-2U hoping they might also fix the image orientation before shipping it back to me.

Alas, even though they signed for my Express Mail delivery at 10:30am last Friday, the unit still hasn't been entered in the repair database, internally or online. The telephone rep claims there are no repair notes on the camera issue (which doesn't surprise me), and they can't add it to my repair ticket until I show up in the system. *sigh*

Can you offer any magic words, QA codes, etc. to help ensure that the camera flip gets handled as a bona fide hardware defect? Call me paranoid, but I can imagine "We're sorry, sir, but you've already told us you dropped your phone..."

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

This probably isn't the best thread to post a list of problems, but since two people have asked:

1. Broken camera flip switch (on both the N800s I've used so far)

2. Whenever the N800 makes ANY sound, it makes a very quiet (almost inaudible, but definitely real) hiss for about 2 seconds afterward. For example, if you have UI sound effects turned on, it hisses every time you click the screen. It does this even when the volume is all the way down. This issue affects both N800s I've used, and I think it's probably a design flaw. The noise is quiet enough that I didn't notice it at first, but it's pretty lame nonetheless. Nokia really needs to work on QA.

3. This one is unique to my device: The past three nights when I've gone to sleep the N800 has had a full battery. Each morning, the battery has been completely dead, to the point where it won't start up without plugging it in. Not sure what that's about, since it's been holding a charge just fine during the day. Something must be causing it to crash and then maxing out the CPU until the battery dies...

4. This doesn't directly affect the N800 as of yet, but the fact that the 2007 OS is incompatible with the 770 less than 1.5 years after its release doesn't bode well for the new device... This has already been discussed at great length in the comments on Ari Jaaksi's blog, and as I've said there, it really makes me wonder if buying the N800 was a mistake.


I really enjoy using the thing when it works properly, but there are some pretty significant problems. For $400 I expected better.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Mine does that as well - at least it isn't a hardware defect (I hope!)

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

It's not going to be that easy. Again, sorry I can't divulge details but you will very likely have to have ANY device with webcam flip issue replaced outright. Repair options are limited at this time to my knowledge.

And some of you are describing issues I haven't seen in any of the thousands of N800s crossing my path, so I'm really at a loss...

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

I can't hear any hiss, even with my ear pressed into the device.. either you guys are in very quiet rooms, or your hearing is way better than mine ;-)

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

I believe you. My concern is whether the repair facility will deal with it properly (or at all), if this issue isn't on their radar yet. Realistically, I don't imagine my input into the process will count for much. "But this anonymous Nokia guy on the Internet told me..." Time will tell, I suppose.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

A few more things.

First, for anyone who purchases the N800 in the USA but live outside (yes I mean you Canada), the Nokia Warranty is useless without a US mailing address. No use in suggesting you will cover any additional mailing costs they dont care.

Secondly, the Nokia USA reps I have been dealing with state that there haven't been any reported incidents of the webcam being flawed. So I guess anyone here with the problem is imagining it.

So back to my original question. Any quick fix?

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Don't be discouraged by the run around. Tell the reps you are reporting the defect. If that response you mentioned was accurate that's stupifying.

I stick with what I've been saying: the device needs to be replaced. The program in Finland is very aware of the issue.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

1-888-NOKIA-2U gave me the same line as dwoolley: no known issues with the webcam. I will continue to press my case, except we're STILL waiting for my unit to show up in the repair database, more than one week after the facility signed for my Express Mail delivery. I returned it for the kickstand repair, but they can't add to the trouble ticket until the unit gets logged in (assuming it ever does).

If I had the whole purchase to do over again, I would absolutely include the CompUSA extended warranty for in-store exchange. This "hurry up and wait" is getting old...

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Resurrecting an old thread here...

I just ordered two new N800 for the family, and one of them also has the camera switch problem, so apparently Nokia has not completely corrected the manufacturing problem yet. That unit is made in Finland.


I would also note that the defect does not appear to be so rare. Of course I have a limited sample, so it could just be bad luck, but of 5 N800s that went through my hands, 2 of them have the defect (the first one I bought and that last one). That is a failure rate of 40%.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Hello,

Uninstall the camera and only install the videocamera. It has camera functionality and the flip and auto start of Internet call will work consistantly. As far as I can tell it is the camera app running on Diablo that causes it and I have had no issues for two week this way. They will fix Diablo soon, just wait, it is not the best camera anyway.

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

Are we so sure this is just a hardware problem?

I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my N800 to Diablo.

Both the Camera and Videocamera aps now invert the forward lens setting, whereas my old 2007 Camera ap didn't.

I tried uninstalling both, and reinstalled the videocamera ap - it still inverts. Grrrrr...

Re: n800 Camera Flip Broken?
 

As an additional note, I just installed the Knips camera ap and the camera image is correct, while Camera and Videocamera aps are still flipped.