Hate to have my first post be a negative one, but thought others might benefit from my experiences trying to purchase the new Sony DCR-HC85.

Like many others, I waited for the new DCR-HC85 to hit the stores and as soon as I saw it at Circuit City, I bought it... BTW, they actually lowered their price to $949 when I showed them what you could buy it for at B& H and others.

I brought it home and shot some video for about a day and a half. It took great video and had great sound. Then, about 2 days after bringing it home, the playback started acting like the heads were dirty... long bars across the screen, mosaic patterns etc. After 2 days!!! So, not wanting to deal with a camcorder that appeared to have dirty heads after 2 days I returned the unit to Circuit City. They agreed that something must be wrong, and swapped the unit out for another one.

Camcorder #2

So I bring Camcorder #2 home and take some Video. When I played the Video back, everything I shot had a major Ghost running down the left side... I mean everything.... nothing like the great video that camcorder #1 had taken. So back I go to Circuit City to return Camcorder #2. They again agreed that something was wrong with this camcorder and swapped it out for Camcorder #3.

Camcorder #3

So I bring Camcorder #3 home and take some Video. Picture was great, but the audio was horrible. Sounded like someone had their hand over the microphone. Again, took the unit back to Circuit City, they looked at it and listed to the Audio, and again agreed that something was wrong with this camcorder and swapped it out for Camcorder #4.

Camcorder #4

So I bring Camcorder #4 home and take some Video. This time, the video was extremely grainy... I mean, really bad! Even in fairly bright light. The only way to get rid of the grain was to take it out into the bright sunlight and shoot your video there. So again, I took the unit back to Circuit City, they looked at it and we shot some video in the store with it, and shot video with other comparable camcorders (HC-85, TRV-70 and some Panasonics)and compared the video , and again they agreed that something was wrong with this camcorder and swapped it out for Camcorder #5. As a side note, the demo HC-85 unit that we compared it to something was wrong with it's metering system... the meter wouldn't compensate for brighter areas in the store... almost acted like it was in manual mode, but it was not.

Camcorder #5

Camcorder #5 we tested in the store with the Video Dept. mgr. We shot some video and Guess What??? It too had a problem... this time the steady shot appeared to be on steroids! It was so bad that the any movement at all made the picture look extremely noisy... not just a little bit, but REALLY noisy... so much so that it was difficult to watch the video. Again, the manager agreed that something was wrong with the camcorder.

At this point, I gave up and just got my money back.

Not sure what's up with the DCR-HC85... whether it's quality control on a new camcorder, or if there is some bug with it, but my experience was not good.

Again, sure didn't want my first post on the board to be a rant and rave... I think this site is great, and found it to be a wonderful source of information...

Not sure what to buy now. May look at the time tested TRV-80, or maybe step up to the TRV-950.

Wow, that's crazy.
Certainly, go for the 2003 models. I personally prefer them over the new models. To me, the 2004 models seem lighter, cheaper in terms of quality, and more consumer-like, which isn't always a good thing. I'd definitely go for the trv70 or 80, and indeed, if you have the money, by all means, get a 950! I'm even happy with my trv38! Good luck,

T-1000

Truly increadible...

It's very difficult to find any serious reviews of the HC85 on Internet yet. Which is strange and a bit annoying... please hurry! ;-)

Your experiences are truly scary and totally increadible. If it's true than I guess Sony must have had (or still have) serious quality problems in their HC85 production line.

Yeah, I too found it incredible... not to mention extremely frustrating... Almost wore a path between my home and Circuit City!

It's almost enough to turn me off to the whole Sony line, but it seems that they still have the best overall low light and steady shot ratings, so I guess I'll give them another try.

I'm going to look at the TRV-950 and the TRV-80 at another local store this weekend. I was looking to find a somewhat portable Camcorder, and don't know if the size of the 950 will be too large. I actually prefered the size of the smaller camcorders like the PC109 etc. but can't seem to be able to hold them steady enough...

Unfortunately, Circuit City doesn't carry the 950's or the 80's... I have to say that they were pretty good to deal with during the whole thing. They were as amazed as I was!

My quest continues...

we just got the DCR-HC85 yesturday. Our problem is that the HC85 refused to mount on any of our macs...! Otherwise it shot great.

Of course we're returning it (to J & R nyc) hoping the problem is with the camera rather then the entire line. argh.

we wanted the HC80 but it seems 2 B out of stock everywhere.

P.S. Question: Did you get it in the NYC or North East area? If it was a production line issue, then all of the NYC area could have gotten duds? I actually read 2 reviews of satisfied HC85 owners -- I wonder where they are located...

I purchased my HC-85's (all of them!!!) in the Detroit area.

Sorry to hear about your luck with the HC-85 too. I know how frustrating it is!

After looking at almost every camcorder on the market today, I bit the bullet and bought the TRV-950 over the weekend and am happy to say it's great! Actually, it's OUTSTANDING! The price was a bit steep and it's a little bigger than the HC-85, but wow, what a difference in video quality.

And BONUS, there is no ghosting, no hyper active steady shot, no dirty or misaligned heads, it meters great, and the audio is fine.

I suppose that if they get the bugs out of it, or beef up their quality control, the HC-85 will be a great camera. But after my experience with it, I was too leary to try another one.

The TRV80 can still be found at B&H Photo. This cam has been a terrific one for me. (I have had mine since they first came out.) I paid close to $1,400 a year ago and now the price has come down to $894. :-)

B&H has given me impecable for years so you can't go wrong dealing with them. Plus it sounds as if the quality and the quality control of the HC 85 line is really lacking compared the the older TRV 70/80 line. (I was afriad of this as market pressures are forcing Sony to sell their cams for a cheaper and cheaper prices.) The supplies of TRV80s won't last long so you are nearing the last chances to get one.

Here is the link for the TRV80 at B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...u=272609&is=REG


Chrystie

So far I am happy with my HC85. I haven't used it too much as of yet, but with my limited use it has me satisfied. Sound quality is good, as is the excellent picture quality (of course, I moved from my old Hi8, so any DV pic is going to be better for me). Analog -> Digital transfer works like a charm as well.

I am capturing using a Windows based PC, so the Mac problems I can safely avoid.

Purchased in Phoenix, AZ

What Mac problems? I am a HC85 and Mac user. No issues.

It seems hard to believe that Sony has had quality issues with the whole HC85 product line. The HC85 is by far superior model than the TRV80. The product cost reduction in the 2004 line has been made possible by altering some characteristics from the 2003 line.
I for once would be very cautious against those who suggest getting the TRV80 instead of the HC58.
Many retailers would be happy to get rid of the TRV80 stock so they will come up with ANYTHING to sell you the previous model.
Unless you are getting it to a substantially reduced price (comparing to the HC85) then by all means go get it.
Of course you can still go for the Panny or the Canon.

I totally disagree with the last comments on the TRV80 vs the HC85. You honestly, at this point in time, couldn't give me a HC85 over a TRV80.

I have held and used the HC85 (and I was sorely dissapointed in it). The HC85 feels cheap and less sturdy in build compared to a TRV 80. The vewfinder has half the resolution and the eyecup is not as nice compared to the TRV80. The zoom lever on the HC85 is awkward and less responsive and controlable compared to the one on the TRV80. The new batteries of the HC85 don't last nearly as long. The LCD has half the resolution and, yes, that does make a BIG difference and it's clarity and sharpness. The hybrid LCD doesn't come close to compensating for that loss, IMHO. (I own a PC330 too so I have used both LCD types - regular and hybrid - in and out of sunlight.) I have used both the old and the new menu systems and I consider them a non issue as I like them both. In some ways the older one is actually better.

The deciding factor for me, though, would be the quality control issues some people have had. It seems appalling on the new HC line. I don't think I have ever heard of a buyer having to return so many duds. I would worry about the model breaking down later too... and SONY only covers labor for 90 days. The labor alone for a repair..any repair between 90 days and a year is over $250 dollars. (Get an extended warranty if you buy the new SONY cams! :-)

Plus the TRV80 can be had for $895 dollars. It's a better cam (IMHO for a cheaper price with a proven quality track record.

Chrystie

I like the zoom lever...

Normally, I would not take an add-on warranty on an item but when I pick up an HC85 in the near future, I'll have been thinking about it for a while after pegleg's ordeal.

Bernie

We are talking with Sony and investigating this problem because currently we have a DCR-HC85 unit and saw the same problem of excessive noise in dark areas of the picture even in bright light. I will keep you all updated as soon as we have any information, and we may run a news story on this item if it turns out to be a widespread problem. At this point, I would recomend holding off on purchasing any DCR-HC85s until we have further information.

Robin Liss
CamcorderInfo.com

2 days ago i got my new DC85 and i have not found any problems yet.

Could it be that only the US models have problems? I bought mine in Europe / Austria and some other friends too and they too have not found any problems yet.

Well but its a strange thing somehow in Austria, because the HC85E can be bought for about 970 Euros and the TRV80 for more as 1050 Euros, allthough it is the older model

Greetings!

I don't know if this will filter over to cover any Sony camcorders or even if this is in response to any Sony quality control problems, but dpreview.com is posting the following info for Sony digital cameras:

"Sony Support USA today announced that they are extending the limited warranty on DSC-F828, DSC-T1, and Y2004 models DSC-P41, DSC-P73, DSC-P93, DSC-P100, DSC-W1. Previously the warranty covered parts for 1 year and labor for 90 days, Sony has now extended the labor portion of the warranty to a full year providing full 1 year cover for these models. All other digital cameras are covered by the warranty specific to that model."

Chrystie