Killer Sony Digital 8 buys

jboy wrote on 3/22/2002, 2:19 PM
Know this is a bit off topic, but just wanted to alert folks looking for an inexpensive, versatile, dv camcorder to this great buy. Compusa.com is selling refurb Sony digi8 models TRV120-A/D pass-thru, 2 1/2 LCD,-$330, TRV 520-A/D pass-thru, 3 1/2 LCD,-$400. Check website for details. This is a great buy, so snap them up if you can. The latest generation of digi8 cams omits A/D pass-thru, and the ability to transcode 8mm and hi-8 tapes in their cheapest entry level models, (TRV 130 and 140), so this price is about $300 less than it would cost you to get this functionality in current models. Look under Monitors/digital cameras...

http://www.compusa.com/sales/postann2k2/default.asp

Comments

Caruso wrote on 3/25/2002, 4:13 AM
JBoy:
Went to the site you listed and checked out the deal. It looks good. I was turned off, however, by their 'as is' and 'no return' conditions of sale. I'm still pondering, however. I'd like a second cam. Would be useful in multi-cam shoots. We'll see. Thanks for the heads up. (How do you learn about these things?)

Caruso
jboy wrote on 3/25/2002, 1:55 PM
You're too late Caruso, they jacked the price up to $400 for the TRV120. Yeah, I was a little put off by the no-return policy, and didn't get one myself, (it would have just been a backup anyway), but it's still probably an ok deal for someone just getting started. It did include Sony's new cam warranty. I find a lot of stuff on a site called:

http://www.techbargains.com

You can find lots of great deals on this site, but they go fast, so you've got to jump on them when they're on. BTW, how the hell do you post a URL so it shows as a link, and not just an address ?
Chienworks wrote on 3/25/2002, 2:55 PM
To post a URL as a hyperlink, you must use the HTML a href= code:

ChainsawBodyArt.com

will display as ChainsawBodyArt.com
Wayne wrote on 3/25/2002, 5:55 PM
jboy,

Thanks for the heads up, I ordered a 520 while it was still at $400. I noted the as-is / no return, but with the warranty figured that if it had a problem, I could just take it to the Sony service center in town.

Related to Sony, something that is little know is that they have a flat rate on service for units that are within 7 years of going out of production. Example costs are VCR-VHS/8mm/DVD is $159, Camcorders are $164 - $216, TVs 19-27" $175, Projection TV 32" and Larger $205. I learned the hard way, I had a Camcorder repaired through a local camnera repair shop for $275. I figure all they did was take it to the Sony service center and charge me $50. + for taking it there.

Sony service also have a trade up program for camcorders, but the prices aren't much better than what you can get on the street. Ex DCR-TRV230 for $560.

And one bad policy they have is that they will not even look at equipment which has been out of production over 7 years.

These prices are from price sheets I got from my local Sony service center a year ago.

Wayne
jboy wrote on 3/26/2002, 12:46 AM
Hey wayne, glad you got the 520, cant go wrong. And thanks for the info on Sony repairs. I concur in your feeling that Sony is the best place to handle repairs. Do they warranty their repairs ?, and do you have a link for the location of their repair facilities? Thanks for the info on links Chienworks, doers this method apply to the posting of all links on the web, or only to places using this method ?
Chienworks wrote on 3/26/2002, 6:29 AM
Jboy: ummm, it depends.

That method works here because the forums are displayed as mostly straight HTML. Some places automatically detect URLs and make hyperlinks out of them for you. Other places filter out any HTML codes completely so that you can't use this method at all. You just have to try it and see what works.
Wayne wrote on 3/26/2002, 9:47 PM
Jboy,

Looks like Sony may have shut down their regional service centers. I went to their web site and did a search for repair centers and it came back with a Sony repair center in California (I am in Houston) and several independent repair centers here in town.

I also didn't see anything about rates on the site. Looks like they no longer offer the flat rate. I was last at the service center here on 4/8/01.

Wayne