I'm in the market for a new camera and the JVC HD110 is what I've been looking for (specifically a shoulder mounted HD capable camera for less than $5,000).

After searching the forums I'm reluctant to pay five grand for a camera that seems to have more than its share of problems. I've also searched for Canon A1 and Sony V1 issues and have not seen anywhere near the number that the JVC camera has.

So my question is...For those of you who own a 110 have you had any problems with it and if you had it to do over again would you purchase the camera again?

When I first purchased my camera, I of course took and home and tried it out to see exactly what this thing could do. I also tested for the dreaded split screen effect, and to my horror, I found it!

"Oh no!" I thought, "Not the split screen problem!"

I had just got the camera, and even though I heard good things about JVC's service department, I didn't want to go for however many weeks it would take to fix it without my camera.

Depressed I called JVC. They informed that the split screen effect can still occur in some special circumstances. The circuit that callibrates the two halves of the CCDs needs to see a scene with a sufficient level of detail to get the two halves to match up. Just turning it on and pointing it at a flat colored surface with no texture makes it exremely difficult forthe callibration circuit to do its job. Also, the circuit can have a difficult time in extremely low light or extremely high gain before the camera has warmed up.

Sure enough, I only got the split screen effect under these circumstances, and didn't get it at all after I gave the camera sufficient time to warm up (about 5 minutes). Even with a flat colored surface with no texture, I have no split screen problem as long as I quickly point the camera at something that has a bit of detail first.

I imagine that because the CCDs are native resolution, with no pixel shifting or upscaling, that the chips would be prone to more manufacturing errors. Because their are simply more pixels on the chips, they need to be manufactured to much higher quality than lower rez CCDs. Sometimes, I think, CCDs slip through JVC's quality control that give people some of the problems we read about. Once you have a camera with quality chips the camera seems to be extremely durrable and dependable.

I too read about all the problems people were having. I for one (knock on everything) have not had a problem with mine. I have been using it on and off for over a year. Had a couple drop outs, nothing bad, but most of my problems were of the NLE (adobe) type. The camera has worked just fine. I hope it continues to give me good service, so far so good.
Jon

I have had several JVC HD cameras now and both were very reliable. The SSE seems largely like ancient history now.

The virtues of the camera far outweigh any issues. A dealer told me that JVCHD200 series is even more reliable.

Isnt just the only shoulder mounted camera in your price range?

Rob C

My HD100 has worked fine for over a year and a half.

I shoot event video so I use it to shoot & capture footage into my FCP system.

For a 5K camera, it puts out the best looking picture hands down. Progressive is the way to go. Don't get fooled by the 1080i sales pitch. Do some research on 1080i vs 720p

Download some clips from all the cameras and see which one has the most film like characteristics.

just a teaser of what you'll get.....if you get a jvc :-)
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=98890

A dealer told me that JVCHD200 series is even more reliable.


Rob C

Has there been many "return for repairs" for the HD200/250 cameras? Just from reading some posts it looks like the HD100/110, still has alot of issues. I'm looking for a Camera that is going to work for the next 5+ years. I really like the JVC HD series, they look nice, they produce nice pictures, and i personally like the shoulder mount form factor... so it is going to come down to either an HD200 or a Panasonic HPX500, which is going to cost more $$$. I have some reservations about the JVC though, just from hearing that people are having to send their cameras back for repairs in under a year. like i said i want a camera, that is going to be very reliable. I don't want to be out of commission for periods of time, because i have to send camera away.

So i guess my question is has there been any HD200/250 owners who have had to send their cam back for repairs?

I have been using my HD-100 for over a year now, and it's been a great performer. The only single issue I've ever encountered was the flip-out lcd panel started to fail, showing only all-white whenever it was rotated past 90 degrees or so. Fortunately, JVC's standard 1-year warranty was still in effect - shipped it off, came back pretty quickly, all fixed up and that was about 10 shoots ago now.

Well this dealer guy (who sells quite a few of the cameras) told me that nine out of ten HD200s were fine right out of the box whereas the figure was appreciably lower for HD100s.

Rob

Hello
i have the 110 i have nothing but good things to say about it
i had a XL1S and also a FX1 the JVC 110 is the best of the lot
i have had no problems with it
i got A DR HD100 with a IDX BATT/SYS
get the right toys with the 110 and you will have a great outfit

thank you
JOE

I've had a lot of issues with both a HD101 and HD111.

Looking for a replacement now because I am fed up of it. If it was reliable, I would love it though.

I've had SSE on both cameras, a lot of dead pixels, random crashes and faults and worst of all an audio glitch when using phantom power. I've seen it on 3 separate cameras.

Here is a link to an interesting article.

http://www.ai-interactive.com/print.asp?id=276

Since this was published, Jim FRATER now has a HD250, v-lock battery pack and wears the camera on his steadycam rig.

I've had a lot of issues with both a HD101 and HD111.

Looking for a replacement now because I am fed up of it. If it was reliable, I would love it though.

I've had SSE on both cameras, a lot of dead pixels, random crashes and faults and worst of all an audio glitch when using phantom power. I've seen it on 3 separate cameras.


Wow, that really sucks.

Our HD100s and hd200 are solid machines for the most part. Never had a single crash, or audio glitch.

It seems dead pixels happen with every camera that uses ccd's. Of the four prohd cameras we have, each has had a dead pixel but the pixel compen feature covered each one up.

SSE was really bad on one of our hd100s but we had it calibrated and it's back to normal now. IMO, the SSE issue is ancient history in my mind because I never see it.

Our only issue is that rotten FCP segment capture! It's not much of a problem if you spend the money for a DTD.

Well i think that an HD100/110 is pretty much out of the question for me, now to focus on the HD200/250. This is a question for those of you who own or have operated the HD200/250s. Have you in your experiences with these cameras, have had any problems that would cause one to reconsider laying down $9,000 - 12,000 on the camera? Has there been any issue with SSE with the HD200 series? blown FW ports? (well this can't be faulted to the camera but to the operator), Audio issues? Crashes? I've heard that there is a small amount of fan noise but that is a small issue, I just want to feel assured that if i spend that much money i will be satisfied with my purchase and not left thinking i should have spent X amount of dollars on a more reliable camera..... thanks to all for your input

I worked 3 months for a production company this spring that had a 101, a 110 and 200.
We had a lot of problems with the 100´s. One of them seemed to be in service for most of the time I was there (not the same on)
I even had the 101 die on a shoot when we were abroad. Had to borrow a PD150 to finish the shoot.

I don´t think we had any problems with the 200 in my time there though.
I really liked the 110, and was going to buy one for myself, but the reliability of the camera put me off.

So now I really don´t know what camera to get and I will have to get one in August for a documentary.

I´m leaning towards the Canon now, but I love the "pro" lens on the JVC as I mostly work on "big" cameras. Decisions, decisions

I have a question.

if these cameras 100,110, 200,250
are so bad then why are they used on so many major shoots, and used by so many pro's
they are a pain in the ass at times but the end product makes it all worth while
just my opinon

Joe

i had a Canon, lots of problems

Joe, we are not saying that the JVCs are bad cameras... quite the opposite, i think that they are awesome little cameras, just looking at some of the sample videos i've seen, they are clearly very nice....but that is not the issue. I think the real issue here is the reliablity of the camera namely the HD100/110s, and i for one am currently looking to upgrade my camera from a canon XL1s to a high definition camera... and being a small production company i don't have that big a budget to get an expensive camera. That being said, if i throw down the cash on a new peice of equipment i think that i should after spending X amount of dollars have peace of mind that the camera is not going to crash while i'm producing an important Doc Video for someone.... i like just about everything about the JVCs.... small, light weight, and professional, interchangeable lenses etc... the only things i'm not that fond of are: HDV, and the inability to perform in low light (i'm talking about all 1/3" HDV cameras in general). Other than those things I think the JVCs are very nice and do produce nice video... my other option i'm seriously considering is getting an Panasonic HPX500, peice by peice if i have to... but anyways, thanks to all for the input...i'd just like to hear more on the HD200, because if i go with the JVC it'll likely be the 200.

They also seem to be very sensitive to using different tapes. I recomend sticking to one brand and not cheap tapes. One can get great footage from the cameras.
Another thing to consider is the post production workflow.
We could not edit HDV (from JVC) on our Avids. They don´t support the codec yet.

Dude, it's a total mistake to assess a given camera's reliability based on the amount of complaints one reads on internet discussion boards or what the random dealer says. It's not scientific, it's not logical, it's wrongheaded. If anyone can tell you it's JVC and I have no idea how forthcoming they would be with such data.

Further, there are often unsavory backstories as to why a given camera might be getting lousy ink on the net. Ulterior motives etc.

However, you won't much of that underhanded crap in these parts as this board is patrolled by a tough texas ranger and his hanging judge.

I agree with Brian, I wouldn't base my purchasing decisions on forum feedback alone. You have the potential for reliability issues with any of the manufacturers. Go with what works for your budget and end production goals. What works for you.

I agree with Brian, I wouldn't base my purchasing decisions on forum feedback alone. You have the potential for reliability issues with any of the manufacturers. Go with what works for your budget and end production goals. What works for you.

It was interesting when people started criticizing the HVX200 for some of it's technical shortcomings and gliches. Man, with that fan base, to paraphrase Dennis Miller, taking shots at the HVX200 was like going over the middle against Ronnie Lott.

This is my 'short' list:

SSE (in my case a complete block breakdown after some 10 months in use)
serious dropouts (not too often but when they occur they are bad)
TC continuity (a major problem for Avid and FCP)
on the stock lens a pretty bad chromatic aberation at the far end
poor quality of VF build and colour reproduction
poor quality of LCD colour reproduction
loud fan on HD200/250
lack of support with Avid

All in all, I would have been happy to pay another $3-5 more for the camera in the first place to have these issues addressed. Like this, it remains a camera "that could..."

One more note, yes, JVC repaired the problems but thankfully they happened in the 1 yr warranty and also it meant being without a camera for significant periods of time.