Sharp VL WD450

Review Date
March 16, 2004

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
George , Casual

Price Paid
$500.00 at Online store

Summary
I love the features; however the quality of this camera is an embarrassment.

I've sent it in for repairs twice (at $175 for the first, it’s really not worth it, but I was stupid). It only works occasionally, and destroys tapes constantly.

Not sure which is worse, getting the famous ‘Eject the Cassette’, or trying to find Sharp’s customer service? Eject the cassette means the pictures of your kids have gone the way of Sharp’s customer service – they are non-existent – can’t be reached, absent, no forwarding address etc…

I spent so much time trying to track them down that my warranty expired (90 days labor - when that's up, count on $175 for someone to look at it.).

Sharp, if you’re reading this – my email is gvr@cox.net – give me a reason to like your company, your products and your service. Make this camera work. PLEASE.

Thanks, George

Strengths
Tons of features!

Weaknesses
Totally unreliable mechanics. Tape destruction is 3 out of 3.

Similar Products Used
Sony - Oh how I miss my Sony!

Customer Service
This is the funny part - there are phone numbers, but no people. There's a even a web site, but the info emailed to me was incorrect.

Review Date
August 18, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
simonwass , Professional , from UK

Price Paid
$650.00 at Dixons

Summary
I wanted a dv camcorder that had a large optical zoom, digital camera option and stereo sound. I wanted to pay no more than £900. I got the vlwd450 for £650!
The ease of use is such that I rarely use the manual and the playback quality is near to tv broadcast standard even when played on a 32" screen. The still camera function is low res, but more than acceptable for putting pics on the internet.

Strengths
Ease of use.
Smart media card slot for digi pics.
Very powerful OPTICAL zoom, 26x
780x digital zoom, impossible to hand hold, but why would you want this much zoom?

Weaknesses
I had to buy a head cleaner after less than 6 months use but fine ever since - the (x) in the viewfinder that everyone seems to have trouble with, do you read the manual when you have a problem?

Customer Service
Got a free zoom microphone from Sharp after they sent info stating it was a standard accessory, it isnt!

Review Date
August 15, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Reviewed by
Oslo Jargo , Casual , from FINLAND

Price Paid
$1000.00 at Red Vowells Hardward

Summary
This recorder is not a very good one. After having it only for a few weeks. I accidentally dropped it on cement and its been having problems ever since. The buttons were all scratched and the metal pieces are even rusting. The images are cheap and grainy and I have been having problems with tapes.. as I see a large "X" which I guess says that the tape is messed up. After I review what I have filmed.. I notice that it is very broken up and it is bascially worthless. At night, there is no point using it at all because it doesn't pick up anything that doesn't resemble a large bon fire. The quality is very cheap and not durable and as I said..one drop will ruin it.

Strengths
None.

Weaknesses
Difficult command buttons, not good for night use, bad tape quality, mic picks up loud "wind noise", rusting parts, leaking battery pack, exploding lens, gets dirty easy.

Review Date
May 14, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Reviewed by
Julito , Casual , from Australia

Price Paid
$1300.00 at harvey norman

Summary
The camera vl-wd450 is actually good. I appreciated the features, The audio and the video works fine even now after three years.

Review Date
April 4, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Reviewed by
R Willms , Intermediate , from Wisconsin, USA

Price Paid
$458.00 at Online

Summary
Terrible Camcorder!!! The picture was terrible, exspecially in low light conditions. Then after my daughters first birthday we sat down to watch the days video. The picture was scrambled and the audio was terrible. I assumed it was a bad tape. But then it happened a month later. And again this year on my daughters birthday again. I get a Red "X" in the display which means there is a problem with the tape. Apparently you are only supposed to use Sharp brand tapes in the camera, but they are very expensive and shorter than normal mini dvs. My experience with the camera was very very bad. Im spending the extra money for a Sony!

Strengths
Cheap.

Weaknesses
Bad picture. Unreliable. Requires EM tapes.