Refurbished Camcorders

[Harry Lender]

I'm looking to buy a new camcorder off the internet. I notice alot of the "low prices" are linked to the camcorder being "Refurbished". Sometimes when I call they say they are "recertified". Now....should I stay away from these types or are they ...OK. Or Buyer beware? I think I've answered my own question however I would love some input from all of you.

Thanks
Harry

[Rob Lohman]

Welcome aboard DVInfo.net Harry! As the saying goes "if it is too
good to be true...."

Be VERY wary on being secondhand/refurbished, especially with
ultra low or high prices.

We also have a secondhand forum here which you might want to
monitor. You can also post a WTB (want to buy) request there.

Also, please take your time to look at our sponsors (see my
signature) if you are going to buy new gear. They are (handpicked)
the best in the business with reasonable prices and good service!

[Harry Lender]

Rob
Thanks for your reply. You guys are great. I will look carefully through Dv forum. What I'm looking for is this. I just recently upgraded from Adobe Premiere 6.5 to Premiere Pro. I had Pinnacle Dv500 card which I can still use but only with the firewire for output to a TV monitor. That's ok. I expected that. I have to go through my camcorder now to get to my monitor. I have three Camcorders, a Canon GL2, Sony TRV-900, And Sony TRV-17. I was considering a Mini Dv deck to use to transfer the video shot with the camcorders to my computer in order to save wear and tear on the camcorders. However with the prices of the Decks out there makes it difficult to afford one. While reading different posts throughout this form a lot of people are saying that they have gone to a cheap Camorder to use for this process, Stripping tapes, transfering video to computers,etc. I came across the Canon optura 20 which was within my budget, $400. I could retire my Sony TRV-17 to do the transfering job and use the new Canon optura for other small jobs. I guess I should have said all this in the beginning post. If you or anyone else would have an alternate idea, or better camera for the job, I would appreciate knowing about it. I want to let you all know now how much I appreciate this forum. You're helpfulness has been great, I've learned and will continue to learn as I read through the posts. Thanks again for all the help.

Harry

[Rob Lohman]

I think the main question is would you trust your tapes to a
secondhand device? I wouldn't unless it just went to the factory
for a cleanup and servicing job.

Another thing to consider: a lot of camera's have trouble reading
tapes that where recorded in other camera's. Canon camera's
seem to have some troubles with this. Can your TRV read the
tapes from your GL2 for example?

If so, what you are suggesting might be a good way to go forward.
I believe that a DV deck is a tad more expensive, but I do not
know this for sure.

I have moved this thread to our general forum so more people
get a chance to take a look at your question.

Good luck!

[Ray Echevers]

I'd say your best bet is get a cheap "capture" camera that is the same make.
I have a Sony VX1000 i use, and i bought a Sony HC20 ($400 new on sale at Best Buy) for a capture camera/vacation camera. I've had no problems at all capturing on it. The only time i got glitches, is when i used part of a tape on the VX1000, captured the footage on the HC20, and then used the rest of the tape on the VX1000. But that problem is with the VX1000 (it's old and tempermental with putting in other cameras tapes) So I just don't put a captured tape back into the VX1000.