I purchased a Canon ZR600 several months ago, and thankfully was able to get a full refund (minus the shipping costs from the US to Japan). I thought I was getting a great deal.

I was dead wrong, and I mean, dead wrong. I found that camera to be less desirable than my cheap digital camera's movie function. The problems? Where do I begin?

The audio is probably the worst possible thing about that camera. Horrible whirring/whining/ringing noises in all but the loudest of environments. Why? Well the tape motor is basically running against the microphone. I don't think they could have designed it any worse without placing the microphone INSIDE the tape motor. Contacted Canon, they gave me some garbage about it being "within factory specifications," and to try turning on a TV or radio in the background. Told me I could ship it to them for evaluation, and maybe, just maybe they might try to fix it. If they find it acceptable, I gotta pay all the shipping costs.

Hey, if I want to record with a TV or radio, I will, but if I don't want to, I shouldn't have to! Honestly, who records decent video for anything with a loud TV or radio going?

To me, the audio alone made the camera worthless, especially when you consider that there is NO mic input.

Next was the video: it was honestly not apparently any better than my not-so-fancy digital camera's movie function. I couldn't believe it. I recorded a video with my digital camera (small compact thing), and then recorded one with my Canon ZR600. I very much preferred the look of the digital cam! So did my wife. Don't ask about how grainy the video was in less than bright sunlight, ask how much color could be seen through the graininess -- not much.

I returned it to the merchant, and then requested that Canon refund me the shipping costs, stating that I believed it was an inferior product and couldn't live up to the advertised claims (that it was ideal for "graduations [and] retirement"). I said it was ideal for nothing that required any audio, and that the audio production should have been labeled with a warning, or somehow clarified in the specifications of the product.

Anyway, Canon said no, and then ignored all of my e-mails (I always maintain a basic level of politeness of course). I sent 3 more e-mails over the course of a couple weeks, and they ignored every one of them (completely, not even a canned response). I then filed a complaint with the US Better Business Bureau, and sent two more e-mails (no response).

I then received a letter stating that they wanted to get into contact with me. Since I'm in Japan, I can't call their 1-800 number (many international calling plans/cards don't allow it). I told them the situation, and that I preferred e-mail, but they insisted. I gave them my home phone number here in Japan, but still no call (almost two weeks later). In fact, they asked for my home number!

I researched it, and found dozens (literally dozens) of complaints by people who had motor noise problems with the ZR series. In fact, many reported sending their cameras in for repair, and getting an equally or even noisier product in return. Some said the noise was slightly decreased but still debilitating for any practice use. Lots of unsettled claims with Canon on the BBB's website.

In fact, go check it out. Here's what the American BBB site says about Canon of USA:

"Based on BBB files, this business has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau because it failed to respond to one or more complaints."

With that said, I'll just comment that I purchased the Japanese iVISHV20 (just HV20 in the US, I believe). I'm not totally anti-Canon, but I think they're selling some third-rate garbage to their lower-end customers, things that ought not to be for sale at all in their present condition.

What do you all think of the ZR series and motor noise?

I would like to be able to verify your statement.

Please provide a valid URL.



Rich

http://search.newyork.bbb.org/repor...page=1&id=18378

Under "Customer Experience," it's the first sentence in that section.

CANON U.S.A., INC has a total of 115 complaints at the New York Better Business Bureau (BBB) and 10 of those complaints were "Administratively Judged Resolved" (The Company has responded to the complaint(s) addressing the disputed issues, however, the consumer remains dissatisfied) which comes out to approximately 9% unhappy people.

SONY CORPORATION OF AMERICA has a total of 843 complaints at the same BBB and 184 of those complaints were "Administratively Judged Resolved". Which comes out to approximately 22% unhappy people.


Sony got a "Based on BBB files, this business has a satisfactory record with the Bureau."

Hummmmmm....

I've got some thoughts, but I will not say them.

I will say do your research and protect yourself first before you buy a product.




Rich

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Why don't you guys read up on the camera before buying it and then complaining you got a piece of junk. If you had read up on the ZR600, you'd have known the 600 does not have a mic port.

__________________
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Hi pfloyd,

You should do what you yourself suggest, and get your facts first. I DID read up on it.

In fact, I read over 15 reviews for the ZR600, as well as reviews for the other ZR products, and other products by Canon, Sony, and Panasonic (not much JVC). Not a single one of the reviews mentioned the problem with motor noise, and it only appeared in one "comments" section, so I just assumed it was that guy's specific model that was damaged.

Then I got the ZR600, and ready to start enjoying it. I was pretty naive about camcorders, but I did my research, as I do with just about EVERYTHING I buy. And that's why the ZR600 was such a huge let-down for me, because I had researched it. Why wasn't the motor noise a key issue in the reviews? Check out the professional reviews for yourself, and see if motor noise is prominent or even mentioned. Additionally, the quality is terrible, even for a low-end camera.

I knew there was no mic-in, but figured that I wouldn't be getting too involved with camcorders. Now, it's become a hobby, so I wouldn't dare think about no mic-in in the future.

Anyway, pfloyd, don't insult people with your rude assumptions and coarse comments. Don't like my thread? Then please, DO NOT post in it. Why people like you feel the need to post rude and insulting comments is just beyond me.

You brought up some interesting points, and worth considering. Not sure what your thoughts about it are, though...

Perhaps we should consider whether the mediator's opinion of the situation is included in the ultimate decision. If the mediators felt that the Canon representatives were not friendly or forthcoming, perhaps it negatively impacted their evaluations.

My personal experience was about as bad as a business can get: completely ignored me. After I stated that I felt the product was inferior and would be continuing to seek a resolution, they ignored a total of 5 e-mails over several months, before responding to the BBB's letter.

Canon's behavior, IMO, is 100% unacceptable. To completely ignore a customer with no warning or mentioned justification is not only rude, but unprofessional and cowardly. No one said, "We cannot help you any further." No one told me, "We cannot discuss this matter, since you have mentioned possible intervention by other parties." Nothing of the sort, just a complete silence on their part.

Then, when they got in touch with me via e-mail to ask me about the BBB's intervention, it took them over ONE WEEK to reply to my e-mail. I replied to them in less than 12 hours, and they took over 7 days to write me back. I was then interestingly told that the woman who sent me the original e-mail is "no longer with Canon." Not sure what that's about...

Regardless, very bad experience with Canon. Horrible product, falsely advertised (in my personal opinion, no official judgment), very poor customer service, delayed responses (if I get one at all). All-around bad experience that is typical of a business that isn't a total farce (Canon can't afford to be a total louse, since it's so large and well-known).

Hi, does the HV20 resolve the internal mic issue you found with the ZR600?
Thanks!

Hi Yabadaba,

I would say it resolves it 90% or more. There will ALWAYS be some motor noise for a consumer camcorder with a built-in mic (well, camcorders that use MiniDV, at least). However, the Canon HV20 does a magnificent job of minimizing that noise even with the use of the onboard mic.

Regardless, I purchased a RODE VideoMic, which has a pretty extensive shock-mount, and that helps immensely to eliminate the motor noise even further.