5 comments about Canon Optura 200MC MiniDV 1.3 Megapixel Camcorder.

1. The Optura 200MC is a good choice for three types of users. First, if you need a small camcorder with decent quality. I take this camcorder trail running and get great footage passing people while leaping over logs, etc. I simply couldn't carry a bigger camcorder some of the places my Optura 200MC goes.

   Second, my acting classmates borrow the camcorder to review rehearsals. It's easy for a student to "point and shoot" without training. The viewscreen is big enough, and the built-in speaker loud enough, for two or three students to gather around and watch.

   Third, I advise spending half (or less) of your video equipment budget on a camcorder. Budget plenty of money for audio gear, tripod, lights, computer and software for editing, etc. If this leaves only enough money for an Optura 200MC, buy it. You'll make better videos with an Optura 200MC and good accessories than with a GL2 or XL1S and no accessories.

   The Optura 200MC has three shortcomings. First, the built-in microphones are awful. You hear mostly motor noise. The Optura 200MC lacks a microphone hotshoe for adding an external mike. I bought Canon's microphone mounting bracket, a Sony directional mike, an extension cable to use the mike for interviews, and two Sony wireless mikes. This totalled $400. I now get great audio, although the external mike and mounting bracket double the size of the camcorder.

   Second, the FireWire chip has failed twice, and the exposure manual control has failed once. Each repair takes a month. If you need a dependable camcorder, consider buying a more expensive camcorder.

   Third, the video quality is pretty good for a 1-chip camcorder. It has only two preset color balances, sunlight or incandescent light. On cloudy days, or with florescent lights, etc. the color balance is off unless you do a manual white balance. The color saturation is OK, not great. The lens sharpness is pretty good, and it handles low light better than you'd expect. The automatic exposure uses a spot meter in the center of the frame. If you have a bright patch of snow or clouds in the center, everything else is too dark. Like the color balance, you'll sometimes have to manually adjust the exposure.
   --
   Thomas David Kehoe, author of "Hearts and Minds: How Our Brains Are Hardwired for Relationships"




2. I've been using this camera for almost a year. Ease of use is excellent. Quality of video much better than the Canon ZR series. I don't use it for still images, have a Sony DSC-F707, so I can't comment. Low light video performance is better than I expected.
   This model has yet to eat a tape or moisture check in 10 months. I've used it skiing down the Rockies and treking through jungles.
   Of course, being a male, I'm now looking at moving up to the Optura 300.



3. I'm by no means an enthusiast. My wife and I got this (based on on the reviews here) for our honeymoon and it did it's job wonderfully. The instruction manual was hefty, but it was very easy to follow. The fact that it was small and compact really worked well for putting it in my carry-on for the airplane. Therefore not leaving me to worry about it getting ripped off by storing it in luggage. Also that it was both a digital camera and camcorder proved indespensable for light packing when heavy walking. We went to Istanbul and every shot we took turned out great. If the flash went off, all we had to do was gently place our finger over the top so it would not pop up. The sound quality was also very good. I have read where some had problems with motor noise coming from the machine but we never did. The only real complaint I have about this is the night vision with the camcorder portion. If you put it in the "extreme low light" mode, the video puts out a slow-motion blurry mess even moving the camera at a snails pace. Once again I'm not an expert, the fact that the blurry mess is in color may mean something to those reading who are hobbyists. However I was able to get what I wanted in moderalty dim environments and at night in the city with the normal setting just fine. Where the low light setting pulled through was in the still pictures we took and that's what I wound up using it for. I recommend getting the largest battery offered for this model. Not only does it last forever but it's great for balancing the camera for a steady shot. Get a larger memory card too. Great for beginners that leaves room for serious filmmaking. Glad we got it and recommend it.



4. The price you see now on Amazon and other Amazon providers is way out of whack for what this camera is available for from other sources. I considered the Optura 300 and the Elura 50, but I already had a major investment in BP-500 series batteries and chargers. I also use an Optura Pi and a Rebel Digital. Be aware that the 300 and the 50 use other model batteries that are much less available and less robust than the 500 series batteries. I am a big believer in optical stabilization but that is becoming less important nowadays due to excellent electronic circuits.

   Getting to the camera, I also do not miss the accessory shoe as I bought this camera for two reasons. The battery compatibility as I mentioned and its small sized ergonomics. As other reviewers have mentioned, the rotating hand strap makes the camera comfy and very handy. My wife can throw it in a purse or I can keep it in the same bag as my digital rebel. And that's the point. Along with the Optura 300 and Elura series, this is a go virtually anywhere miniDV cam. The person that is comparing (and comparing poorly) the GL2 to this cam misses the entire point. 2 different cams for different purposes. I doubt that if you are considering a GL you are even looking at a compact cam. The GL and XL series cams are much much better than any of these.

   If you want a compact camera with optical image stabilization, with typical Canon engineering, optics and quality, this would be an excellent choice. But shop around for a deal because the Optura 300 is also very good (some would say better) and the Elura 50 is a budget minded compromise if that's what you need.




5. I researched small camcorders for 3 months, July through September of 2002, to take for a week in London and three weeks in Scotland. I selected the Canon Optura 200 MC. It arrived in October and at 60 years of age, I practiced with it and it was easy to learn. We left on our trip in mid May of 2003. I took 1174 digital stills and 17 hours of mini DV tape in that month. The pictures I got were wonderful. I have received lots of compliments on the quality of both the stills and the video. I defy anyone to get better quality pictures with cameras that cost twice as much or more. I would not trade my camera for anything. When I finally am ready to purchase a camera in the future, I WILL buy another Canon.

5 comments about JVC GRDX77 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom.

1. I was happy with this one until it showed this problem. It automatically zooms in to the maximum. So now basically I can't use it any more. I initially thought maybe it's due to my operation somehow although I'm sure I'm gentle on it. However, after I searched online, I found that I'm not the only lucky one. Some poor dude said if he wants to use it, he has to put one finger on the "zoom out" button all the time in order to cancel out the automatic zoom in. I called JVC, and they said this is not a recognized defect for them, and they will charge me just for an "evaluation". I'd rather just throw away this junk.



2. I bought this about an year ago. It worked fine till about a month ago. The first thing that I noticed is that the camera would zoom in all by itself. I had to have my finger firmly holding the zoom out button so that it would not zoom in. Reading about it now, I find out that this is a common problem with this particular camcorder. Wish I had read reviews from people who had been using this for a while. Most of the reviews (when I bought it) were from people who were happy with it and had it for less than couple of weeks.
   
   It was good while it lasted. But I would never buy JVC again.



3. I have exactly the same problem as you guys are having. After a year of ownership hardly using the thing it starts zooming out of control. Contacted jvc and got the same response denying a problem. My friend has the dx97ek and it has exactly the same problem. "Trash" and "can" are words that spring to mind.



4. I am experiencing the same zooming trouble as everyone else. When I called JVC they denied the problem. Judging from the reviews here on Amazon.com, there seems to be a very real problem. I bought the camera because it was simple, afforadable, and I'm not much of a techno person. I used it well for over a year when the zoom problem started. Being in the military, you don't get much pay, so I was hoping this camera would serve me for a long time- I was wrong. I will not buy JVC products again! Anyone for a class action lawsuit?



5. I purchased a JVC GR-DX77us last july and to be fair, its video-taping capabilities are good, and the resolution is good. However, I have not been able to get the video capture feature to work on the camcorder. I tried both the USB and the 1394 firewire, and they both kept losing contact with various computers--turns out the problem was the plug board is pretty loose and either the plugs or the board loses contact regularly, playing havoc with your computer. I was not able to download one minute of footage.
   Dont expect any great help from JVC customer support either, every inquiry or request to them turned into an escalation to buy something else, 4 out of 5 times it was for accessories that were supposed to have been included in the camera kit.
   stay away from this model, and JVCs in general.

5 comments about JVC GR-DVL520U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5 LCD.

1. I am a TV producer, but I can't always run aound with a XLS-1 with me. This is far the least expensive DV cam I've found, nice basic features, leans a little on the blued and the autofocus is quite slow in lower loght situations. Still, if you want a nice 520 line rez DV cam with nice zoom features and firewire and USB connect capabilites, this can't be beat. However, the prices I've seen here are a bit high, I grabbed mine at BJ's discount for $298 - and I've seen it listed here for up to 40% more. So shop around, it's a basic DV cam that's been discontinued. I love it for the money, but I wouldn't spend $400 or $500 on it. There are plenty of better cams in those price ranges. But if you can get this for anywhere near $300 - grab it. Wou won't be disappointed. I used to pay thousands of dollars more for SP Betacams with less lines of resolution, analog technology and the need to convert analog to digital for editing. Try this baby first.



2. The JVC DVL520U digital video camera is the central camera in the JVC 320U, 520U, and 720U line. Each of these cameras offers the same basic technology with varying features. The 520U shares the same remote as the 320U. The 720U remote contains more functionality. The 520U remote contains all the usual basic capabilities, including rewind, fast forward, playback, record, etc. The 520U also shares the same memory card as the 720U, which is 8Mb in size. The raw technology of all these units is essentially the same. What differentiate them are the features JVC activates and implements in each model.

   The 520U specifications are as follows:

   - 680,000 pixel CCD (1/4")
   - 110,000 pixel, 2.5" LCD monitor (270 degree rotation)
   - F1.8 lens
   - B/W viewfinder
   - Night Alive full color low light recording
   - 10x optical zoom
   - 700x digital zoom
   - PCM stereo audio
   - 16x9 squeeze mode
   - 1024 x 768 digital stills
   - Picture stabilization
   - SD/multimedia card
   - USB interface
   - DV input/output
   - S-video and A/V output terminals
   - Audio dubbing
   - Numerous fades, wipes, and effects

   The 520U provides very good features and functionality for a miniDV camera in its price range. Not all features work as well as other manufacturers. Picture stabilization, for instance, is much better on the Sony models than this camera. Night Vision is also not that useful for moving images in very low light conditions. I tried shooting a fireworks display using the Night Vision feature. An image was accumulated and stored by the CCD about every 1/2 second, making the outcome choppy and unusable.

   The software bundle provided with the camera is excellent and a USB driver is provided. It's very easy to transfer pictures from the camera to the computer. With the proper editing cable (not supplied), video can be edited on a computer with excellent results. An audio/video cable is provided, which enables viewing and transferring video. A USB cable is provided to transfer images from the video card to a computer.

   The 520U is capable of storing pictures to either a memory card or video. A snapshot button enables the shutter to operate. If you're new to this capability, be aware that at this time pictures obtained using current video technology do not match the quality you will get from a digital camera. Likewise, digital cameras cannot match the quality of video recorded on a miniDV camera. You buy a video camera for quality video, not snapshots. You buy a digital camera for quality snapshots, not video.

   Regardless, the 520U delivers adequately usable snapshots. I like being able to add a picture collage in the middle of my videos. For example, I took a walk on the beach and recorded it. In the middle of the video suddenly you hear the sound of a shutter click and there's a picture of a seagull wading in the water; another shutter click and a picture of a dog bounding out of the water; another shutter click and a picture of a child building a sand castle, etc. Each shot stays on for about 5 seconds or so and whatever sound occurs in those five seconds is also recorded. Later, you can dub audio of your favorite song over the collage before going back to the video action of your family enjoying a boat tour the following day. The creative possibilities are endless!

   Pictures directed to the video will be stored in the middle of whatever you're taping. You can also select to have pictures saved on the memory card, which provides the best quality. From the memory card, they can be transferred to your computer. This is a very nice feature. If you don't mind the limited image quality, it's quite handy to have video and picture capability in one small camera.

   Where this camera really shines is in video quality; it's exceptional! The miniDV format provides 520 lines of resolution. Color balance is very nice and the internal settings enable you to take manual control of the white balance or set it to automatic.

   Another nice feature I haven't seen on all cameras is the ability to correct for backlighting. Let's say you're in a room with many windows on a sunny day. Many cameras will meter the windows and you end-up with the room appearing too dark. The JVC has a backlight button that corrects for these conditions and it works quite impressively.

   The BN-V408U 800mAh Lithium-ion battery supplied is the smallest battery available for this camera. Using the LCD display, you will get only about 30 to 45 minutes of record/playback time. I'd strongly suggest purchasing the BN-V428U 2500mAh battery, which can be purchased on eBay for about $30 with shipping (search for "JVC BN-V428U battery"). I get about three to four hours of use with this battery.

   In short, if you are on a limited budget and would like a decent beginning miniDV camera, the JVC is a very nice unit. If you have more of a budget, I'd suggest the Sony models, which offer all these features with equivalent or superior quality (depending on the feature compared).

   If you decide to purchase this camera, always purchase from an authorized dealer, like Amazon.com. There are many dealers who sell this camera for a lower price, but what they don't tell you is if anything fails and the unit requires service, JVC will not honor the warranty. You must show proof of purchase from an authorized JVC dealer to receive service.




3. There are many reviews on this DV camcorder at this website and I don't see any need to elaborate the functionality of it. However, I had one terrible experience with this one which is discussed below. I also found by email from three other JVC 520U user that they had the same problem and fixed it easily.
   After the warranty is over, this stopped working (no power up). Took it a JVC dealer repair shop (George Meyer, Santa Monica, Los Angeles). He tried to rip me by asking me to pay $275 for labor and $22.00 for parts. I did not repair it from that guy. Finally, I bought the repair manual ($16) and opened the stuff myself. A microfuse on the main board was gone, which I replaced it myself and costed me 59 cents for a new microfuse. Though there is competetion in getting the thing smaller, there is no need to put a fuse soldered on the main board which most people can't even identify/access. If it fails often, let the consumer access it from outside (using a glass molded fuse). I assume that companies do it intentially to help the dealers rip you as soon as it breaks or you will end up buying a new item.
   good luck, if you get into the same problem.



4. Hi,
   We have been using this for 18 months now, and it's travelled continents and has give us no problems at all!

   At least 3 MiniDV tapes, an extra battery, and a carrying bag are essentials.

   This camcorder is excellent value. The only con is low light recording is not good, but that's the case with most camcorders.




5. Do not buy this camera if you are looking for a quality long lasting product. These models have frequent digital board failures. I had mine for just 2 years, the estimate is $ 400 to fix it. For that price I bought a Panasonic pvgs120. Much better quality, especially in low light settings.
   In addition, these models (and other JVC models) have frequent E04 errors, keep an eye on consumer reports.

5 comments about Canon ZR20 Digital Camcorder.

1. Since I've only had the camera for less than one week, this is just my first impression:

   I researched around and finally went with the ZR20 for the following reasons: Price, Compactness, and base features. The ZR20 has a great price after rebate if you shop around. It is very small (palm size for my hand), although it's not as small as the Elura. The size is very important to me up to a point. It has to be small enough so that I will end up using it instead of debating if it's too big to lug along because I wanted a camera for everyday videos-around the house and on trips. Between the ZR and other cameras in this base range, the ZR definitely wins. Other important features I wanted were analog video IN and hot shoe. The ZR has S-Video as well as composite video IN which means I can easily transfer my video from my 8mm and VHS tapes. It also has a hot shoe (which the smaller camera seems to lack) for a video light if needed. The closest competitor for me on the ZR decision was the Panasonic PV51, but it was just too big and did not have the analog video IN like the ZR.

   After I received the camera, I started to tape within 5 minutes. It was very easy to use and the firewire connection worked right off the bat. I was able to capture the videos to Premiere quite easily. Premiere even had the ZR10 controls build in-the ZR20 and ZR10 is virtually identical for this purpose. So far the camera is exactly what I had expected. There are a few issues that are worth mentioning. The tape transport mechanism (loading and removing tapes) seems to be very fragile. Loading an older DV tape that I had required a slight nudge to get the transport to load. This has happened twice in the beginning, but has not happened again. Canon specifically says in the manual to remove the tape when you are not using the camera. I am not sure if this is true for all DVs, but seems cumbersome. I left the tape in the camera for a couple of days and the next time I turned it on to shoot again, it gave me a HEAD CLEANING warning. I took the tape out and turn the camera off and back on, put the tape back in and started to shoot. The message did not appear again. I shot quite a bit of indoor footage in dim and average light. It was OK for what I expected-note, I shot in the automatic mode, not the programmed indoor mode. I don't really have any thing to compare with either. Assuming the tape transport is not going to be a continuous issue, I am very happy with the camera at this time. As for recommendations, I would recommend if you are looking for a base DV to play with. Look over the features and go to the local store to "handle" the models you are interested in. No matter what "great" features any camera has, if it's not comfortable to use, you will end up not using it. Since I have not had the camera long enough, I have no idea of it's quality, so can not recommend based on that.




2. The Canon ZR20 is a Digital MiniDV camcorder with a 2.5" LCD and a color viewfinder.

   Zoom And Image Stabilizer

   The camcorder has 10x optical zoom and 200x digital zoom. The image is not shaky at high magnification levels, since the camera is equipped with a digital stabilizer.

   Picture

   The camcorder records video and still pictures. The still pictures can be recorded on a MiniDV tape and one tape can hold around 700 still pictures. The picture quality (the CCD has 460,000 pixels) in the video mode is very good with low noise level.

   Sound

   The camcorder has a stereo microphone and a built-in speaker. The microphone input allows you connect an external microphone. You can select between 12- and 16-bit recording.

   Features

   The camcorder comes with a Li-Ion battery, A/V cable, S-Video cable, power adapter, battery, remote and a shoulder strap. There are several AE modes, including fully automatic "Easy Recording".

   But in addition to automatic settings (focus, white balance, etc.), you can manually adjust focus, white balance, shutter speed, exposure (AE Shift). The camcorder allows you apply faders and digital effects and has widescreen mode.

   It also features FireWire (i.Link, IEEE1394) jack, so you can connect it to another digital camcorder, MiniDV VCR or a computer for editing or making a copy. The remote control allows you search for still pictures on the tape using Data Code recorded during the shooting.

   The camcorder features both composite and an S-Video inputs/outs and LANC editing terminal. The timer allows to perform recordings at predefined time. There is a Low Light recording capability (low shutter speed and high exposure time).

   Remote

   Unlike entry-level digital camcorders from Panasonic, the wireless remote control is included here.

   Bottom Line

   The ZR20 is a nice camcorder with good feature set. But the menu system is unnecessary complicated and the Canon camcorders are not among the most reliable (unlike Panasonic ones).




3. Very small and compact, but well laid out so for as the user is concerned. Has both a color viewfinder and a 2.5" LED that extends out from the left side. To save battery power, you can only use one at a time however. Some of the settings are a bit confusing, but going through the manual (well written by the way) will quickly supply answers to any questions you may have.

   Low light capability is not as good as some others, but the camcorder works well in light ample to read by. By comparison with my Nikon FM (50mm F1.8), the Canon ZR-20 will do a good job
   down to what would be about 1/60 of a second on ISO 100. It will do a fairly decent job a couple of stops lower, but gets "grainy" at low light levels. Daylight however is excellent. I also found the still feature works well in daylight, but gets rather "grainy" in low light (like an old "GIF" at about 320x240). I'd guess in good light that stills work out to be about VGA level (640x480), which serves.

   This is not a digital camera, and if your major interest is in that direction, you'd be better off buying a regular digital camera. On the other hand the stills I've taken in daylight looked pretty good on a TV, and the recordings create images that are the equal of anything you can get off the air or from your local cable provider. This is using the video in and audio in jacks on a regular TV, as none of mine have the S-video feature. Which no doubt would be even better yet.

   Tape loading seems a bit slow, but I guess this is the way it is. Works OK, but my old VHS camcorder is a lot easier to load.

   Digital is definitely the way to go, and Canon optics seem to be
   pretty good. Lens is a F1.8-2.9 zoom with a range of 4mm to 40mm. I'd guess this works out to about 40mm to 400mm on a 35. The digital zoom can be set at two settings, one giving 40x and the other 200x. The 40x setting is very marginal, and the 200x is nothing but a waste of time. On the other hand the optical zoom is good, and you can shut off the digital zoom if you wish.

   If you're looking for a good small camcorder, this might be the one for you. It is small, but seems to be fairly well thought out except that the mike probably should have been mounted somewhere further away from the tape transport area...




4. I bought this camcorder to use for family and work purposes. It is very easy to use, and the picture quality is good. It was simple to connect to my tv for viewing. I haven't tried to connect it to my computer yet, but I will have to get a firewire adapter for my desktop first. No video editing program was included, so I will have to get one of those, too. Although basic, the ease of use and small size make this an ideal camcorder for my needs.



5. I would like to take this time and give my input about the Canon ZR 20 MiniDV. First off let me say that the size of this thing amazes me enabling me to fit it in my pants pocket (compared to my old vhs). There aren't that many high end features on this but for the basic everyday recording this is an excellent camera. Be aware that this DOES NOT have NIGHT VISION if you want it purchase the ZR-40 series. I purchased this at the [store] that sells mac computers. It cost me [money] and for [the same amount] at [a different store] i could have got the ZR-40 but they were out :(. Overall i really do like this camera not overpowered with features but does the job well (my first canon camera). From now on i'll stick with them in the future (Much better than JVC and SONY). Down the road I'll upgrade my pc to firewire for video editing, that looks pretty fun. But if yourlooking for a good quality camera with a GLASS lens not plastic like the others and something stylish and small than go with any of the Canon ZR Series (10,20,25mc,30mc,40,45mc,50,50mc)

   Hope this Helped in your camera buying experience!

5 comments about JVC GR-DVL300U Digital Camcorder.

1. Picture quality is good but the image stabilization is very bad. I purchased this camera a week ago and decided to return it and get Canon Optura Pi, since Optura Pi has the optical stabilizer.



2. This is my first camcorder, and I'm having a ball with it! It's so easy to use, and I love the snapshot feature that allows me to take a snapshot image in the midst of recording, and it even throws in a little shutter click sound for effect! Maybe I'm easy to please, as I have no prior camcorder experience, and therefore no preconceived notions as to performance. But the picture looks great, and the sound is decent. I'm basically just using this for family purposes, and it serves me well!



3. I've had this camcorder for about 3 years now and it's been a nice addition. The battery life is fair (roughly an hour), and the picture quality is above average. I say that because it doesn't pick up all the details on pictures that you'd get from say just a digital camera. I like how the flashlight in the front actually does a good job and doesn't light things to a minimal effect. Dark rooms light the heck up once you switch that sucker on. The digital screen shows everything perfectly (for its size that is) and you won't have any trouble making sure you're getting everything or not. The sound is pretty good as well. Even when talking close to the speaker on it, I rarely got fuzz or any other weird effects added to voices. There's also a snapshot feature which isn't excactly innovative, but nice if you'd rather take a quick picture instead of taping something for a few seconds. Keep in mind that when you tape something, even after you see the status change to "REC", a second or two might get cut out. With the snapshot though, you don't get the full image because of a white border around the image. So be careful there.
   
   What's keeping it from 5 stars are three things. One of which might be obvious and I just wasn't aware of it. The cable it came with isn't for use with my eMac. So I don't know if Mac users are just screwed here or what. But it'd be nice if I could find out where to get a cord for it if I can in fact use it with my computer. It was just fine with my PC when I still had it, and there were no problems. Another thing being the lack of a headphone jack. The last con about this product is the same thing everyone here keeps mentioning- the "head clean" message. Why this appears, I don't know. Everything can be taping just fine, and then all of a sudden, the message flashes on the screen. If this does happen, then you can forget about what it is you just taped, because it deletes it for some reason. I've lost a ton of priceless moments thanks to this. And sometimes when I put in a tape, it just won't do anything. Like when I pop in an older one to view something and go to the play mode and hit one of the buttons (play, rewind, fast forward, etc.), nothing happens. It'll just stay on the blue screen until I take the tape out over and over. It's very annoying. But this could be due to the fact that I've used the camera so much. I never got this problem the first 2 years I had it. And yes, I used those cleaning tapes, which worked at first. But now, nothing's helping out much. It's a game of chance half of the time. And now that I think about it, the buttons are delicate. Right now, the stop button is very fidgety, and I can't tell if I activated a button or not unless I watch the screeen. This is most likely due to the number of times the camera's been dropped. Yes, I see that saying that right there may result in the head cleaning messages, but everyone else on here seems to get that message regardless of if their camera(s) has taken a few bumps or not.
   
   In the end though, I liked this camera up until it gave me the stupid messages to clean it. Maybe it's just a production error with the first wave of cameras, maybe not. It's great for beginners though, and a good start to building a nice photo gallery. You can see the quality of some of the pictures at http://photos.yahoo.com/mujaheddin_nagi. Mostly being of myself and things in my home. As you can see, the quality is pretty good, but it could be a little sharper. I look forward to getting another JVC digital camcorder in the future. They're great products.



4. I purchased my JVC DSL300U new back in 2000. I bought the extended warranty for an extra chunk of change. I couldn't be more unhappy with the product and so I am leaving these commments. It is an expensive camera and it if would have worked some of the time over the last 5 years I would have been happy with it. The largest problem is that it flashes the message "HEAD CLEANING REQUIRED" "USE CLEANING CASSETTE". When this happens it does not work. Cleaning does not help. I have had it into the repair shop every time I tried to use it and it would work on average of 10 minutes to 30 minutes after I got it back. Often the authorized repair shop would say they could find nothing wrong or to try JVC tapes. I have only used JVC tapes in the camera. There is also the message E04 that tells you to remove and reinstall the battery. Lets be honest, removing and reinstalling the battery does absolutely nothing to fix the problem. I have taken very good care of it and it has NEVER been dropped. When I have actually thought is was recording and later looked at what I recorded birthday / holiday, I found out that it did not work correctly. Wide horizontal red and lines and no sound is not my idea of a good recording. Maybe you think I got a lemon. I did a web search on google with the following: JVC "head cleaning required" . I found out that all of the JVC mini DV cameras have the same problem and I am not alone. Do the search yourself before you buy any JVC video camera. Consumer reports November 2004, page 29 rates JVC mini DV as the worst in repairs and serious problems. It also rates JVC VHS-C as the worst for repairs and serious problems. You have been warned. Good luck!



5. I have this Camera from the year 2000 and work perfecly. Im very happy whith this. JVC is a great product.

2 comments about Panasonic PV-DV901 Digital Palmcorder.

1. This has to be the greatest item I have ever laid my hands on and thats saying alot since I'm a multimillionaire with everything that I want. There is not a better camera available in the world.



2. This camcorder has many good control designs and it is excellent in recording DV footage. However the digital still photos onto SD cards function lacks any High-Res performance. Photos will seem spotty. If you want great digital pictures better buy a 3 mega pixel digital camera instead. The Cam's VCR play back directional pad, the zoom slider, record button, menu button & its switch ...all contribute to the cam's easy functionality. The cam I bought came right out of the box with 5 bad dead red/green pixels on its side LCD panel. I had to sent it to repairs within the week. Panasonic service at Elgin, IL took over a little over 3 months to get it repaired. Some what irratating...and poor service. The unit is repaired now and works properly. I highly recommed to get a service plan on it. Make sure it works right with in 90 days. Its a cool cam but sure wish it had a image motion stablizer.

5 comments about Sony DCRPC1 Handycam Digital Camcorder.

1. I am looking for a digital camera which can record directly on a CD. If there is one then please let know about it. Sony DCR PC1 is an excellent piece of photographic equipment. It is very useful for my profession of Highway Designing/Improvement. For my profession I need something that can be immidiately loaded / displayed on computer.



2. An earlier review stated that it was not possible to edit digital video from the DCR-PC1 on a desktop computer. I bought a third party FireWire board and DV editing program bundle for my PC (I paid $80) and had the board installed, the software running, and video downloaded from my camera in under an hour. While cracking open a computer case and installing a new board might not be everyone's idea of fun, it is a simple procedure and greatly enhances the value of the camera. I've been very pleased with the DCR-PC1 and carry it everywhere I go.



3. I purchased this camcorder Oct. 1999. The picture quality is crystal clear in good lighting conditions, grainy in low light conditions. I also purchased a ... hardware/software package from Pinnacle Systems ... that allows me to edit video and audio captured on the camcorder on my PC. This is a very innexpensive way to produce high quality home movies. The best feature of the camcorder is its size-you take it everywhere.



4. I bought the PC1E in 2004 so it's not the newest, I have been looking for a camcorder to settle down with for a while now and have used Panasonics, Sharps and JVCs, I was put off Sony by the fact that you usually pay a premium price and I had no evidence that they were definitively better than the other brands. Obviously the size of the PC1 is noticeably small even by modern mini-DV standards it holds up well. It takes a little getting used to but unlike other upright cameras that I've used the natural holding position on the PC1 doesn't interfere with the microphone, a definite plus. Sound quality is good and the unit makes very little mech noise so you don't get that on playback. The Carl Zeiss lens is excellent as you'd expect, I particularly like the light adjustment which is very fast and very good, it means if you swing past a window whilst indoors it doesn't screw up your footage. All in all I'd recommend it as a great camera for the enthusiast, in terms of connectivity it links up to the Mac through iMovie with no trouble at all.



5. I owned this wonderful piece of optical marvel since 2000. In all these years I traveled from the Sahara to the Mont Blanc, from 120F to minus 40 in Siberia. It never failed! I kept it in my pocket to record my life's events. I imported the videos to my hard drive, edited them and burned them to DVD with amezing ease. It is all metal construction and never suffered from the occasional banging it received. Excellent, but keep spare batteries on hand.

5 comments about Panasonic PVGS12 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. I bought this Camera for my 13th Birthday and I was happy until i tried to put the video onto the computer. I you realy want to edit video on the computer then you NEED to get Firewire for your computer.After I got Firewire The video worked fine, but I suggest you get a good editing softwear like Adobe. windows is ok to start but has very low video capture. When you burn it on to a DVD using windows is is all blury but can still make out picture. So a Great Camera but you have to get firewire to make it better. Firewire is only like 25$.I love this camera and I hope you will to.



2. This camcorder is absolutely wonderful. Though I don't think I'd pay top dollar for it. While it works great recording and playing back, there is minimum software availible ( Id didnt recieve any) and figuring out how to download it to the computer to burn to a DVD took a while. Though I only paid $195 for this camera that also came with a brand new camcorder bag and additional battery. I kinda wish I would have spent the extra money to invest in a DVD camcorder. But, if you are willing to take the time to learn how to burn to DVD, then this is a great camera!



3. This camcorder is good but not great. Sure its not expensive but with this amount of money you can get a much better one on ebay. 1/6 in ccd is average for this price range. It has no mic input. But it does last a good amount with the battery, has acceptional quality under lighting when i use two or more lights...for my movie aspire which is a musical. During shots that have fast sequences, you can tell as it looks jagged and not smooth. This had to be fixed in post, which, if you're only paying 250 for this cam, you probably won't waste your time fixing this in post. The manual white balance is nice.



4. I know the frustration of wanting some software with this product. Yes its a nice little camera and all but if you want to get some actual video out of it to be put on your computer you could use video capturing software like snag-it which has a free download and trial. Granted the video will not be the best of quality but if you absolutely have to have this on video on your computer snag-it will give it to you but at low quality. You can also snap still images from the videos using it too. Hope this helps



5. After using the Palmcorder brand for 6 years, I just purchased a second one to use for a 2-camera setup (both running at different angles since I produce martial arts instructional videos). For those new to digital camcorders, my opinion is that this is a great camera. For those who are intermediate and advanced, naturally you already know that you will want to spend a bit more for a bigger, better camera to meet your needs.
   
   The Palmcorder takes good video but you should have additional lighting available. They say it's good in low-light conditions, but admittedly I've never found that to be true, even with a LOT of experimentation. Outdoors, though, or indoors with normal lighting? You will find a good video result.
   
   The audio is passable but connecting an external mic, you will hear a slight "buzz" in the background (removable in post). A pain but still passable for the price.
   
   Zooming in and out finds zero noise, but I rarely zoom much anyway. If I need a closer shot, I get the camera closer since the pixelation is always noticable to some degree when zooming. It's not "too" bad zooming in just a bit, but beyond 1/3 of the bar you see will find a lot of pixelation.
   
   Tape change is great vs. Canon (Canon tape door is at the bottom and you have to remove it from the tripod, whereas Panasonic and most others are on the side). Battery life is 1 - 2 hours depending on the age of the battery. My first one is over 6 years old and I just had to change it last month. 5 years isn't bad.
   
   Manual controls could be improved but passable. Automatic controls work well for new users and you will probably not even need the rest. If you want to learn it, though, it's a simple process.
   
   For best shots, I recommend a good tripod to keep the camera steady (for all cameras, too), particularly if you zoom in. There are lots of techniques for holding the camera steady when zoomed in but the Palmcorder must lose it's mind after zoomed in too far. It comes out with a lot of pixelation. Read that as "don't zoom in unless you absolutely have to and you'll be fine."
   
   I've used my Palmcorder in all sorts of weather and conditions, and it's worked like a dream. Good video, good audio, good battery life and easy controls. The only "bad" thing you might encounter is that in humid weather, you need to acclimate the camera for 15 - 30 minutes or so. But since you have to do that with every camera, anyway, it's not Panasonic's fault so no biggie there.
   
   All in all? This is a great camera for the price, as well as being a solid piece of equipment that you will enjoy. It's good to learn with as well as being a good backup camera or using as a 2-camera system.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV8 Handycam Digital Camcorder.

1. I searched and searched for the best Digital Camcorder (for the money) and this is easily the one. It has the smallest size except for their PC-1 and PC-3 (slightly smaller, but much harder to hold, I think). Plus a 3.5" LCD (only 2.5 on Canon's Elura or the Sony PC-Series).

   Picture quality is outstanding, though a little grainy and flat moderate to low indoor light. Sound quality is amazing, and connection to my PC through a $98 Firewire card is awesome.

   Best camcorder on the market (without spending an extra $500 for 2 more CCD's), until the next advancements!




2. Hey,, love the trv8 and its video capabilities, Still learning to use and trying to figure out how to get Still images on pc besides in avi format. Anyone know how or what software works best?



3. I would actually give this camera a 4.5/5, but since there isn't the option, I will just round up. This camera is fantastic for what it does for its size and price. I couldn't decide whether to go for the PC-1 or the PC-100 (the little rectangular cams.) or this camera, which holds true to the "standard camcorder shape"; but, after trying out the alternative designs, I found them to cramp my hand and just be awkward to use with such tiny buttons and strange button/control placement. I am glad I went with this design instead. The quality of the picture and sound on this camcorder is simply great! The colors are well balanced and contrast is handled quite well. When watching what has been recorded with an S-Video cable (another review mentioned that one wasn't included in the box - he's right, but I would recommend getting one if you're going to use this camera the way it was meant to be used - a decent S-Video cable is only about $5-$10 anyway), you can really tell there are about 500(!) lines of resolution. The picture is almost DVD quality it seems. Also, the stereo mic does a great job in picking up voice or other ambient audio. For instance, during one filming session, we had a CD playing in the backgroud and the music ended up sounding as if it were dubbed onto the tape; it was not overpowering but actually added to the "atmosphere" of the recording. Very nice in my opinion, but it my be bothersome for some users that the mic can be a bit touchy sometimes. This camera is loaded with features and I would recommend it over the TRV10 with a savings of about $200. While this camera doesn't have the memory stick option [and a few other bells and whistles], you really won't need the TRV10 if you a) have a digital camera already or b)plan on connecting your MiniDV camera to a PC/Mac. However, I wouldn't really recommend using this camera for stills. While they are okay, an actual digital still camera would be better. It should also be noted that the build quality of this unit seems very good. This camera, while fantastic, is not without its subtle flaws. One small problem I have noticed is that when recording in low light conditions, the picture tends to be a bit "grainy" on playback. The picture is still good, just not exceptional like those taken with this camcorder outdoors or in well-lighted conditions/rooms. I haven't tried the "Low Lux" mode to see if this will compensate for or reduce the grainyness, but it will probably help a bit. Another problem with this camera and the MiniDV format in general is the price of the media. It can get a bit pricey if you don't plan on transfering recordings to VHS or SVHS tapes with your VCR. Sixty minute tapes can run you anywhere between $8 and $25 depending on what brand/quality you purchase. I usually use Sony tapes that end up costing about $11.50/hour. And the last problem I have is that the use of the 3.5" LCD screen can really eat up your battery charge (almost cuts it in half, it seems). The screen is great, but just expect to charge a bit more often if you use it regularly or buy a spare battery. So, to sum up: for the money, this camera is absolutely superb. It provides a *fantastic* picture outdoors or in well-ligthed areas, and a good picture in dimly lighted rooms. This camera is also LOADED with features that will make any user happy. I highly recommend this camera to anyone in the MiniDV Camcorder market.



4. Great picture. Wonderful features. Easy to use. Terrific 3.5" LCD screen. Goes in my pocket. Firewire for my computer. I am very lucky to have it. A great investment! Can you see me smiling?



5. Great camera with large LCD screen. Takes great pictures
   in bright light. Not bad in low light with slow shutter.

   Problems
   No shutter speed control above 1/30.
   No pass through of RCA/Svid to IEEE 1394 for capture use.
   No line level audio input while taping.
   Focus controls right next to microphone.
   Zoom control fragile.
   Camera forgets last mode when shut off.
   No histogram of exposure.

5 comments about Panasonic Pro AG-DVC30 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom.

1. A camcorder with features found only on more expensive models and resonably easy to operate by a beginner. The quality of the picture was very good and the zoom operated very smoothly. Overall I felt it was a product that was well thought out in design and well made.



2. I'm by no means an expert, but I really wanted a reasonably priced video camera that could produce the highest quality picture for the price. I did a TON of research and landed on the AG-DVC30 after much agonizing over "to HD or not HD" as well as brands and features. Based on all the reviews I read, this camera seemed to offer the most features and the best video for the money. I have not been disappointed. On my first outing, I took the cam to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. Wow! What incredible color and clarity! I also really love the 16x zoom. It's smooth and powerful. I got great shots of the Colorado River from the rim of the Grand Canyon. I'll agree with all reviewers that the audio is not great. It is not super sensitive so you lose sound if not quite close to the subject. If you're interested in good audio, I'd suggest an optional mic. If you just want great video, awesome color, and ease of use, this is your camera. At the price (plus the rebate) you really can't beat it.



3. To my knowlege, there simply isn't a better equipped camera for the professional investigator. It's IR-sensitive mode (nightshot) is in B&W (rather than cheeseygreen), far superior quality-wise to anything Sony's got, and it's the only 3CCD that I know of with a low-light mode. The image stabilization is exceptional and the image quality is production grade. Time/Date stamps can be "burned in" so they xfer via firewire - again, the only camera I'm aware of with this feature. The audio can be turned off which we know is a must. And best yet, you can disable the sleepmode so it won't turn off eliminating missed money shots waiting for the camera to cycle back on. It's built like a tank and feels substantial in the hand, but it's still lightweight thanks to an alloy frame. Finally, it's totally silent even with the tape transport in full swing.
   
   The ONLY downside so far as I can tell is it's size - It's a big camera compared to the handicams I've had, and wouldn't be well suited for close-proximity work. However, the black casing dosn't print/siloutte terribly, and the 16x optical lets you set back quite a bit.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. Does anybody know why this camera got so expensive again from 1,700 USD just few months ago to almost 3,000 USD now??? :(



5. I can't believe they are asking $4790.00 for this cam. I bought mine 3 years ago(with xlr adaptor) for just under $2,000.
   
   
   Nice camera but not good in low light. I've ended up buying oncamera and off -camera lights.
   
   is the extreme price(what you would pay for an HD cam these days) because they don't make them anymore? Can't believe it. Because it is 1/4" 3CCD, the cam is kind of obsolete at this point.