HELLO , guys i really need your help, im about to buy a 'REFURBISHED" JVC100u from B-H and im wordering if any of you have done so, if so,
how good is it ,have you been having any problems? or what sould i look out for' what are the risks to have, by buying such,now i know that this may have been fixed but would this camera have the split screen problem; any advice, suggestions would be very cool.. wise me up with what you know
i have been selling everything i have in order to buy this camera,i have research for more than one month 1/2 and the jvc is the 'THING' at that price it tops the rest around the same price or even more
i got fcp5.0 mbp pro intel.
independents, documetaries, is where im goin.
thanks
Israel Monrroy Cabrera
cheers

It's probably not bad. The refurbished units are supposed to be up to spec of a new unit, although going this route, you're still going to have to look at a few different options, such as a battery package. The stock batteries are not great, and it only comes with one. I don't know if you've seen the HD-110 Promotion, but it comes with a $1200 IDX battery kit(you should be able to walk out of B&H WITH it), which is nice because it will last at least a few hours. We don't use tapes (go to firestore), and our battery powers the camera for about 6 hours. You would be lucky to get an hour out of the stock battery. Buying a new camera would be "ideal", because if you by the refurbished package and add on a battery package, you've spent about the same amount of money for a used camera that's a generation old rather than having the upgraded version. Buying new, you shouldn't have to worry about the quality issue.

But if money is a concern, and you're scraping together funds just to get the refurbished package, I would say go for it.

The other nice thing, since you're in New York, why not just go check it out and make sure?

How much do they want for the refurbished 100?

Here is the 110, new, and it comes with the free IDX battery -- about an $800 option (click the rebate button), and some tapes and a case -- worth $150 (and some kind of case is necessary for this camera) for $5099.95:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=458863&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

If you are not shooting where you have access to AC, an IDX or similar battery is all but a necessity. The battery also adds some necessary balance for shoulder shooting.

I personally wouldn't by a refurbished demo unit from B&H. First, I think their demos probably have been handled quite a bit, though I'm sure they are in good shape. Second, the refurbished prices aren't that much lower than a new unit.

How much is the refurbished unit?

The 110 also has some improvements.

NOTE: The offers for the free battery and the free tapes are good until March 31, 2007.

I think you would be happier with a new camera if you can do it, and the free items make up the difference in price, I believe.

guys thanks for your help you are fast -cool. Jack the price is $3895 one year warranty from jvc, i wiil try to look into geting the new deal... but i think i can`t unfortunatly; my buget is barely covering, these 100u[REFURBISHED] YOU said the included battery lasts one ONE HOUR?.... ......
i know that i woud be better of ,and it would have more life than the 100u ... the deal for the 110 sounds too good but... money money
Now is there a big diference from the 100u to 110? besides been new-- Wich is it?
is there any body here who has upgrade from 100u to 110?
wew i never thought i would buy jvc- but they are too good. Won`t you think?

From what others have said, the included battery lasts about 40 minutes. Some people have gotten a couple of extras from people who don't use them, though I think they have paid something.

I think you will need some kind of case for this camera. Since it's long, most cases people have laying around won't fit it.

If you are going to shoot documentary style stuff, run an gun, etc. I think you need a pro battery for battery life and for balance.

I know that money is a big issue, but it is worth seeing if you can get the 110 with the battery, case and tapes. You have until the end of March.

I guess there is time pressure because the refurb 100s will be gone.

At the least, sit down and make a list of how you will shoot, everything your will need in the way of camera and accessories to shoot this -- and compare this to what exactly you will have. Are there any missing items that you must have? If so, the 100, at the lower price, won't be adequate.

You might also find a used HD100 that includes a pro battery, case, etc. for $4000 or less that has almost no hours on it. You could post an ad that you are looking in the private classified section on the forum.

There are a number of people who have used the HD100 who have bought a 200 or 250 or have changed cameras. Of course, there are the usual problems of buying from a private party. But you might find something from someone who has a track record.

oohh you been helpful... i know how inportant the batteries are ,i have shot movies as actor and director on so on, and yeah extremely necesary.
now how do i get to the private classifies- i m new in the forums, may yeah i can find a good one there...
thanks for your time
really appreciate

Don't underestimate the point Jack makes about the balance of the camera with a Pro Battery pack. For doc work you will have to have one.

When I first received my HD100 I was waiting for the battery promo, so I purchased a few extra small batteries just to get by with until the AB battery arrived. Well, the funny thing is, and I don't know why, but the time on the little batteries really varied. Sometimes they would last 40 to 43 minutes and sometimes they would only last 30 minutes. Maybe once or twice one would last over 50 minutes, but the point I'm trying to get to here is it's very difficult to shoot with those small batteries when you can't depend on how long there going to last. And for the record I always drained them empty before I charged them back up.

Now, when the AB system arrived I thought that it would balance little better on my shoulder, but wow! It was a lot better. I always have it on my camera now, most of the time it's on a tripod, but when I want to go hand held, it feels great.

The way the HD series cameras balance with a battery pack is just one of the many features that make these cameras superior in the sub 10k price range.

I believe that a refurbished camera should be fine. And I would venture say that the risk factor probably isn't any higher than if you bought brand new. Either way there's always a very small chance something will be wrong. But remember JVC customer support is legendary for taking care of it's customers.

I would suggest you think through your purchase very carefully and consider this, your going to need more than a camera to accomplish your goals. I would say at very minimum you should budget for a pro battery, some filters ( clear, pol, an ND ) carrying case or bag, tripod and on and on and on. Sorry. Don't forget mics.

Bottom line is, eventually your going to need more money to shoot at this level....

I hope this helps.

Good Luck!

now how do i get to the private classifies- i m new in the forums, may yeah i can find a good one there...
To get to the Private Classifieds, go to the top of this page and click on the big DVi.

This will take you back to the table of contents for the forums. Go down the page about about 3/4 and you will see the link to the Private Classifieds.

Note: the Private Classifieds doesn't show up unless you are logged in.

oohh you been helpful... i know how inportant the batteries are ,i have shot movies as actor and director on so on, and yeah extremely necesary.
now how do i get to the private classifies- i m new in the forums, may yeah i can find a good one there...
thanks for your time
really appreciate

Sorry Israel, I didn't see this post before I finished my reply.... The phone rang and...

I will be selling my HD100 fairly soon, when do you need one?

Here's my email if you would like some info..

Sunpath@Linkline.com

I've bought factory refurbished and been quite happy - a b&H floor demo would be another story....
{non-sponsor reference deleted as per dvinfo policy (http://www.dvinfo.net/network/policy.php)} has new hd100s for $4,295 free shipping and no tax.
There are other options for battery on a budget.
You might be comfortable with an NRG belt for instance. I was told by JVC that the IDX NP-1 carrier and batterries I have on my GY-DV500 would work fine with the HD series.

We purchased a refurbished HD100 and have yet to run into any serious problems.

by some crazy reason i can`t find the "classifies" i joined in january, so may be this is an issue.
if chris hurd sees this, maybe he will be able to tell me.
i will email you Sam, and get info. accesories waiting for

a JVCHDPRO,
i have a Rode ntg 2 shot gun to use it as a boom
is this a good mic for indoors and outdoors?
for the boom i have a koala fluffy[windshok + a very long boom cable
man i can`t wait to start making movies!


if any body has access to the classifies and goes there and sees a good deal and a jvc send me their info

But remember JVC customer support is legendary for taking care of it's customers.

I wouldn't classify it as legendary. Many of times, you'll call that Customer Service number and no one answers, or it's an hour + wait to speak to someone just for them to tell you they have no info.

We had a problem with one of our DV-5000's and it took 6 weeks for them to turn around - that after having the camera for only 2 weeks. Pretty ugly. They replaced our heads that had less than 10 hours with used heads having almost 1000.

But I do agree with Sam and everybody else about the battery issue. You'll be tired of the regular batteries before you know it, probably in the first week or two. I would still go for the new package and try and get an extra credit card or something to cover the difference - it's well worth it.

Just to give you an idea of the battery - I have a former employee that still does freelance work for us, but his job now is a cameraman at one of the major local affiliate news stations. Even with the IDX battery kit, he mentioned how much more front heavy the camera is compared to the full size standard def panasonic's they use. So with that being said, with no IDX or AB kit on, it is going to be VERY front heavy. Using the IDX kit, I like the balance, but he didn't. And we get hours and hours of use out of the IDX kit.

by some crazy reason i can`t find the "classifies" i joined in january, so may be this is an issue.
if chris hurd sees this, maybe he will be able to tell me.
Unfortunately a couple casual members with low-post counts attempted to defraud other members in the classified section in the past year. The solution to the problem was to require a minimum number of real posts to be granted access for selling (and I believe buying/viewing) in the classifieds. I'm not sure what the magic number of posts is.

From mid 2005 to mid 2006 I was on this board everyday, and JVC was going the extra mile for any issues that people may have had.

Now since I placed my reservation for a Red One camera at NAB, I haven't been around here much. So I don't know if things have changed.

But, I will say there was a problem with my AB battery system being delivered and when my dealer ARMATOS made a call to JVC on my behalf to let them know there was a problem, JVC bent over backwards to remedy the issue and took care of it immediately.

FWIW if anyone does have a problem it's a good idea to ask your dealer and JVC area rep to help out.


We had a problem with one of our DV-5000's and it took 6 weeks for them to turn around - that after having the camera for only 2 weeks. Pretty ugly. They replaced our heads that had less than 10 hours with used heads having almost 1000.


Wow, I have to say I never heard of a major manufacturer installing used anything then alone heads.

Well, I can see why you feel the way you do Kit.

But I still want to believe your experience was the exception, not the rule. Let's hope so, anyway.

Regards

tell me guys why have you chosen JVC instead of the canons , sony- wich are supose to be the... best

tell me guys why have you chosen JVC instead of the canons , sony- wich are supose to be the... bestThis has been discussed ad nauseaum on the boards. Maybe you should read Adam Wilt's summary of the 4-camera shootout.
http://www.adamwilt.com/HD/4cams-part2.html

tell me guys why have you chosen JVC instead of the canons , sony- wich are supose to be the... best

I chose the JVC because it is way infront as a user friendly camera. JVC consulted professional cameramen when designing it.
I did a shoot for National Geographic in prisons in Australia a couple of months back and for NTSC / PAL conversion reasons we used a Sony Z1P. No lighting allowed and lots of hand held, also breakaway from sound recordist with no notice. I don't want to burrow 2 levels deep in the menu to switch to the camera mike. Try doing accurate iris pulls with Sony Z 1P in a run and gun situation and as for the focus system - the lens has no end stops and in poor light most of the time its very difficult to see accurate focus. On the JVC I can flick one switch on the audio panel on the outside of the camera, flick to auto levels on the outside of the camera. I can do a nice easy exposure setting on the professional style interchangeable lens and see what F stop I'm shooting at and like wise with focus, look down with my left eye while shooting and see where the focus is set too.
I've got a friend who bought a Canon and went to East Timor to shoot a doco, came back with boom mikes in shot - what kind of camera only allows you see only essential area in the view finder. (Apparently he can pay more for the professional viewfinder, on top of what's already the most expensive camera on the market). Then ask him about the 25F (or 24F) system in post - the only piece of kit that can replay this is the Canon camera, there are no replay decks that recognise F frame and Canon appear to have no intentions of building one.
The Panasonic HDX200, well its ergonomically like the Z1P with the added problem of P2 and doesn't shoot HD to tape. This creates a problem of limited shooting capacity (eventually will be resolved) and archiving material - the JVC shoots HDV to the DR HD100 and tape simultaneously so no archiving is necessary down the line and you have 2 identical copies of the shoot.
So this leaves the 4:2:2 (or 4:1:1) compression, only really relevant if you are doing special effects in post and then according to Adam Wilts report it doesn't seem to make a great deal of difference (especially if you import the JVC pics into FCP as AIC) This may have something to do with the limited number of pixels on the Panasonic CCDs which result in the lowest actual image resolution of all cameras in this range.
I also like the true progressive scan of the JVC, for todays plasma and LCD screens its far more suitable and for conversion to film out its important. Progressive scan is also easily converted to interlace (but it's difficult to go the other way)
Finally try doing a 20 minute hand held interview with a Sony Z1P or Panasonic, your arms get really tired and then after about 15 minutes shakey. The JVC sits easily on my shoulder, just like a professional camera only lighter so I can hand hold steadily all day if I'm not allowed to use my tripod.
Apart from that I like the pics I get out this camera and they're easily manipulated to get a "look".
Well that's all I've got to say really.

How many times do people have to repeat this...."The Best" is your opinion, depending on your needs and situation.

The reason we went with the HD-110's is because to us, it looks and feels the best as a sub $10k camera. It is designed very much like a pro ENG camera, and that is what we're used to shooting on. It was a very easy and natural transition.

I would actually like to conduct a poll at some point. I'm interested in how people's past experiences and equipment usage affected their sub $10k camera purchase. Are there in fact more ENG familiar shooters going with the JVC? Are people stepping up from smaller cameras typically going to Panasonic or Sony? I wonder what people's motivations are for choosing the camera they did.