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Sharp VLWD255U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5'' Viewscreen, Smart Media Slot and Built-in Digital Still Mode

Sharp VLWD255U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5'' Viewscreen, Smart Media Slot and Built-in Digital Still Mode

List Price: $849.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: "Eject the Cassette" message, Sharp not very helpful...
Review: I bought at the end of 2001, and I too have been getting these "eject the cassette" messages! I just didn't know how common this was until I started looking for a replacement camcorder just today, and happened to see mine (this one) and thought I would just check out the reviews, and was just SHOCKED to see how many others have had this same problem. I probably have used this camcorder a total of about 2 (yes, two) hours in the past 3-1/2 years, and have been getting the "eject the cassette" message for at least a year, I have to use a new tape each time I record, and cannot use the tape again (even to Play it), it tells me to "Eject the Cassette"--won't let me do ANYTHING. Sharp has not been helpful at all, continually referring me to 'my closest athorized servicer'. The closest place that will service it is in California, and I have to pay $55 just for them to 'assess' what the problem is. I have not found anyone in Arizona that can repair them, since they (an authorized Sharp servicer here) said when Sharp came out with these, they did not have a training program for repair shops to learn how to repair them. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMCORDER!!! Again, I am just shocked to read all these other reviews that sound IDENTICAL to the problems I have been experiencing practically since the camcorder was out of warranty, figures.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: "Eject the Cassette" message, Sharp not very helpful...
Review: I bought at the end of 2001, and I too have been getting these "eject the cassette" messages! I just didn't know how common this was until I started looking for a replacement camcorder just today, and happened to see mine (this one) and thought I would just check out the reviews, and was just SHOCKED to see how many others have had this same problem. I probably have used this camcorder a total of about 2 (yes, two) hours in the past 3-1/2 years, and have been getting the "eject the cassette" message for at least a year, I have to use a new tape each time I record, and cannot use the tape again (even to Play it), it tells me to "Eject the Cassette"--won't let me do ANYTHING. Sharp has not been helpful at all, continually referring me to 'my closest athorized servicer'. The closest place that will service it is in California, and I have to pay $55 just for them to 'assess' what the problem is. I have not found anyone in Arizona that can repair them, since they (an authorized Sharp servicer here) said when Sharp came out with these, they did not have a training program for repair shops to learn how to repair them. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMCORDER!!! Again, I am just shocked to read all these other reviews that sound IDENTICAL to the problems I have been experiencing practically since the camcorder was out of warranty, figures.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Horrible Got 2 both broke within 1/2 year
Review: I get the "eject the cassette" message as well, and Sharp is EXTREMELY unhelpful. I'd say it works without eating tape only about 50% of the time. Pathetic. Absolutely unacceptable.

I won't buy other Sharp products in the future either.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Piece of crap
Review: I'm sitting here with the repair estimate for my Sharp in front of me from the one authorized repair facility on the West Coast: "Need to replace drum assembly." Balance due (if I opt to fix it): $378.88. I had to pay a nonrefundable $40 for the estimate, and NO, I'm not going to fix this thing when I can buy something comparable brand new for just a little more.

I thought I got a great deal about 2 years ago when I got this and a tripod, case, cables, etc. as a very low-cost holiday promotional bundle. I've used it mostly at demonstrations as a legal observer, and I enjoyed the feature set ("Cat Eye" night vision, image stabilizer, still mode) which is the only reason I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1. I'll have to pay a bit more to get those same features in my next camera, but I, like the others here, won't be buying a Sharp ever again. Getting a more respected and widely-used brand like a Canon will expand the range of available repair shops, too, if/when my next camera needs some TLC. (Sharp has one in So. Cal., Texas, and New York -- that's it!)

I wish these reviews had been here before I bought it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Bad deal
Review: I used the camera for about a year when the screen scrambling problem arrived. It's the same problem alluded to by many others. Repair facility charges $256. I bought this product because I wanted a digital camcorder for not much money - to get my feet wet. Luckily, I was able to get some footage before it croaked. I would not buy this product or any other camcorder from Sharp. It's not worth it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Take Heed
Review: I have had the camera for 2 years and I have gotten the eject the cassette problem. It worked fine until Dec' 03.


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