JVC GRD230 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

It seems mine was previously returned. All bags are open. Little scratch on the body. The biggest problem is the grinding noice, like a train passing by.

JVC is getting really low now.

Continue with my review. Since the background noise is really bad, I tried out the external microphone. But the mic socket is defective. Using their micphone extension cable to connect to a computer microphone, there's no sound recorded. Finally I found out the mic plug has to stay half-way into the socket to get sound input. This is really annoying - how can a brand new camcorder have a defective microphone socket.

I have never seen a malfunctioning mic socket before!

I liked the form factor and power supply that came with this camcorder. It would be very easy to bring on a trip. The fatal flaw in my opinion however is the motor noise. It's extremely loud and the built in microphone picks it all up and records it on tape. I've owned other mini dv camcorders in the past that did not have this problem. (Canon Optura Pi, Canon ZR40).

This camcorder has all the bells and whistles that the beginner or the experieced should ever want, this gives and takes great movies and digital stills .My wife opened the box and in less than 24 hrs she made a 10 minute movie with music in the backround and for a woman who never held a camcorder in her life . so if you so desire, this is the cheapest price on the web or in retail stores,you even get $50.00 back.. So do what you want, but you should not pass up a deal like this.QVC sells this camcorder for $699.00 on there site.GO CHECK!!!!!!

I was most impressed by the stabilization of the camera at 10x but the quality of the image wasn't that great. You really do need to use the manual mode instead of the automatic. Scenes are often under or over exposed. They are also very orange or blue so you'll need to white balance each scene. It's good that you can change both things but it would be better if it's more automatic. The markings on the side (play, record, automatic, manual) started to rub off after just 10 days. The size is great (fits in your palm). The manual is quite confusing.

When I got the camera, I immediately noticed the small size. That along with the CCD were pluses, but as soon as I turned on the camera for recording, that's when the problems started. First of all, please, somebody tell me if this is correct or if I should return it for an exchange (mine may be faulty):

The winding noise from the DV tape is captured onto all films recorded. This means that there is a constant train like noise captured onto all of the videos I record from this camcorder. I'm thinking that the manufacturer's can't be that stupid to make such a faulty mistake, so I'm gonna try to exchange this for another one. Is there any hope in doing this, or does all JVC GR-D230's have this problem?

I also didn't like the need to install their proprietary software.
Please, people who have this camera, tell me if this is a common mistake that you have to live with, or is this just a faulty item they shipped. Thanks