Mini DV Camera - Get New or Fix Old

I don't know where to get your camera looked at, as I'm in the UK and you're probably not.

To get a camcorder taken apart and examined and then repaired may cost at minimum around $140. You may get a guarantee on the particular repair (..e.g; tape transport or loading/unloading..) but that guarantee probably won't extend to anything else which may go wrong (..dead mic, bad connector sockets, etc). The examination and repair may cost half the price of a new, guaranteed, camcorder.

In the 4 years since you got it, most cams have had improvements in the CCDs which are used. Most have higher resolution CCDs than were used 4 years ago ..mainly for taking higher resolution stills, which you won't bother with. However, the extra pixels available on those CCDs mean that although the resolution of DV video has stayed the same, the 'sharpness' and contrast of video which you can shoot this year can appear a little better than similar footage shot with an older camcorder. So a newer camcorder may (a) give less trouble over the next few years, and (b) may give better results than an older cam.

A 3 CCD camcorder generally gives a better quality picture than a single CCD cam. But you may not see the differences unless you're comparing like-for-like alongside each other, and it also depends on what and how you're shooting. If it's detailed, quite static shots - e.g; people looking at pictures indoors at an exhibition - a 3 CCD cam will probably give noticeably better results. But if you're shooting kids playing football outdoors in bright sunshine you may see no difference at all.

"..Compatibility with the Mac is a must have.." ..and the most reliably compatible are probably Sonys, with others - like Panasonic, Canon, etc - a close second, and JVC maybe third, and companies newer to photos and video - like Samsung - fourth or so.

So it'd probably give you more peace of mind and reliability to buy a new, mid-to-low-range Sony, something like this at about $399, than have your Canon repaired.

But that's only my view ..others may differ.

P.S: NOTE that in some countries, that camcorder (above) may have only DV OUT, and may not accept edited video back IN to store on tape. If so, the next higher model in the range will have DV IN as well as OUT.

I agree with David. It seems like getting today's electronic gear repaired is usually not cost-effective, unless it's a high-end item.

I would recommend getting either a Sony or a Canon.

Rod

Hi M & R:

I think CNet is always a good place to start..

😉 Sue

Try DV Spot and Camcorder Info ..or just use Google and type the name and model number of any camcorder and add the word Review.

..That's what Google's there for..

Hi Michelle & Randy

I had the same problem with my Cannon Elura 40.
My camera cost bout $700.00 originally and about the same to replace, so I set a $300.00 limit on repairs.

I caled the cannon reapir department and received a $150.00 estimate. This was acceptable so I sent it in and it came back in about a week.

If you choose the repair option, I highly recommend the Cannon repair dept as you can track the repair online, it is quick, and they will do a follow-up.

Good luck

The DCR HC series all work with iMovie. The only problem I've ever had with a Sony miniDV cam was (..and it was a fault with several of just this one model..) that the internal mics gradually got quieter and eventually cut out after about 3 or 4 years ..that's a TRV900.

Never had any other problems with it, nor with any other Sony camcorder.

A bit of disappointment with some JVC models:
1 - Original JVC miniDV camcorder (..which didn't have a DV/iLink/FireWire connection..) worked marvellously, except for teeny audio dropout between shots when playing back.
2 - 2nd JVC 'paperback book' shape miniDV camcorder ..ditto bad replay, but also insufficient shutter speed range ..tended to always shoot at high speed in bright light, giving minutely 'stuttering' video effect on playback (..I like to shoot at a one-fiftieth shutter speed, for smooth motion..)
3 - JVC VHS-&-miniDV deck ..same audio dropout effect when playing back through normal analogue connections or to TV, but OK when playing digitally through FireWire connection. Took it to JVC workshop for examination and they said, after studying it carefully, "Yes, all our miniDV products do that." So I never touched another JVC miniDV product after that.

"..16:9 or HD may be standard for these little consumer models. What do you think?.."

I think the same.

Thanks for letting us know your decision, and what worked best for you!