Customer Reviews:
  Stopped Working July 30, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The DCRTRV38 is a great Digital Camcorder - as long as it works. Mine is 1.5 years old, has had light use (about 10 hours of video recorded) and has had no abuse. It no longer plays video back on a TV, and after hours with Sony support, it appears the A/V out no longer works.
I wouldn't be concerned, but when you start to search on line - you begin to realize that Sony has tons of problems with the entire line of Digital Camcorders. They don't seem to be fixing the problem, and ask for a lot of money to fix the problem - estimated at $269 for this repair (on an $800 unit).
I have to say, in dealing with the problem, Sony support is spectacular. The on-line knowlege base took me quickly to a relevant troubleshooting procedure. When it didn't solve the problem, it offered me a choice to do an interactive chat with support. I did that and it worked very well, though it ended with the determination that the unit was malfunctioning. It would be great if everyone emulated Sony support.
Known Defect in Sony CCD Assembly June 19, 2005
BEWARE of the Sony Camcorder products. I have a TRV 38 and, like many, many other people, the picture (LCD/CCD connection) went dead just after the warranty period. Do a google search on this issue and read the video forums to see the enormous problem that Sony has with these camers. There is talk of a consumer class action against Sony on this issue since it affects several of their models and they have refused to deal honorably with the problem. I will say that when it worked the camera was just great, perfect picture and easy to use. Avoid the heartbreak of finding a dead camera on your child's first birthday, as I did, and buy something else.
Buy it if you want but it might stop working in 1 year May 28, 2005
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this product last year. It has stopped recording video. I can't see anything in the viewfinder or screen. Absolutely nothing.
On the flip side, it did work nicely for the year when it was working though.
Just in case, you think I am disgruntled, cynical and I am writing this out of spite, please follow this link. There are many like us.
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7594-0.html?forumID=59&threadID=53316&messageID=635769
In fact, people there have filed a class action suit against Sony on this issue.
Overall, buy it if you want to. But see you on the forum above in 1 year.
Beware of Sony April 12, 2005
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
My little advice - Beware of Sony. The quality has decreased over past years badly and customer service and technical support is very bad too. Not to mention the warranty plans and costs to fix things. I just owned a nice handycam DCR-TRV19 that died after one year of seldom use. Something that is obvious factory defect (since many people experience exactly the same problem) costs more than half of the camcorders price to fix at sony service. I advise you to have a look at http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6142-0.html?forumID=59&threadID=53316&messageID=1064984 and see for yourself how Sony treats their customers.
Once again, don't be blurred by pretty design. The inside is piece of crap.
Sincerely.
 As good as it gets May 21, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Can't see how a camcorder could be any better unless it were bigger. Easy to use (even my wife uses this one - she never used our Panasonic). We Bought this instead of the Sony DVD Camcorder because of the Good Reviews on this and the bad ones on the Sony DVD model. So glad we bought this one. The nightshot is awesome. Definitely buy a larger battery and extra tapes.
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