I bought a DCR-TRV19 ~18 months ago and have been very happy with it until a week ago. Out of the blue, it stopped being able to record. Like another reviewer stated, all other functions are retained. When recording it will record the audio w/o video.

It's like the camera can't "see" anymore. Sony will repair it, but only by charging you ~250.00.

Although i use this device sparingly, i take great pleasure in capturing videos of the kids and special events. The camera is a breeze to use with well thought out features. You can even use the camera to play back videos on your tv by using some of the many video outputs on the camera. It becomes, in effect a vcr of your homemade movies.
I've had this camera since spring of '04, and have not had any issues, problems, or even had to replace the (rechargeable) batteries.

There is a defect that shows up after about a year of use wherein the unit cannot record video anymore - all other functions are retained, including audio recording.
Sony will charge you over $250 to fix it...stay away from this model...

I have had this camera for just over a year. 8/14/03 is the purchase date. I used it a total of 12 times for maybe 20 minutes max, kept it locked up when not in use, and now it doesn't work. I paid extra for Sony "quality". There were other cameras I would have rather had (cheaper, more compact with more features) but bought the sony because of Consumer Reports listing Sony's as having low occurances of repairs. One thing I did like better when this camera was working was the nightshot feature. It was much better than the night shot feature on the Panasonic GS-15 I just bought to replace the Sony.

I called Sony and they offered my a flat fee of 269.00. Not willing to throw good money after bad because I have already spent over 600.00 dollars on a camera that only lasted a year with only a few uses.

This camera is a waste of money!!! Do not buy it! We bought it new and we've only used it for a month and the tape got stuck!!! Warranty pays for parts only and not labor and Sony is charging us about $220 plus shipping and handling! This is awful! Save yourself grief!!!

Just like another reviewer, my DCR-TRV19 I purchased almost exactly 18 months ago stopped "seeing". Like another reviewers state, all other functions are retained. When recording it will record the audio w/o video. I have owned several Sony camcorders and I guess quality at Sony is going down.

When I record with my DCR-TRV19 I have sound and a black picture. I bought the camera 04/30/2004 and this problem started in February 2005, less than a year from purchase. Sony will only replace parts after a year (not labor which lasts 90 days). I will have to ship it carefully to Connecticut with a cover letter to have it repaired for the flat rate of $269.00. The rep could not break down the repair rate for labor and parts. I mentioned to the Sony customer repair that I have read other consumer reviews with the same problem, and he told me he will make a note of my problem.

I feel foolish for purchasing this product since my last Sony Handcam which I bought in 1995 also stopped working mysteriously (atleast that one lasted a few years).

Like numerous other reviewers, I too loved my camera for the first year that I had it. I bought it after our first baby was born, and used it about 10 times over the course of 18 months. When I went to record her 2 year birthday party, the LCD panel was black, and I couldn't record anything but audio. I now see that this is a VERY common defect in this product. Unfortunately, Sony good name no longer equates good product. Very disappointed in Sony for not recalling these. Obviously a design flaw somewhere based on how common this problem seems to be with this camera.

I have had the EXACT same problem with this camcorder that others described. Timed perfectly with the warranty running out, the screen is now black, and it won't record any images, just sound. The repair cost is more than the cost of the camera. I will never buy Sony again.

The camera takes and records good pictures in the camera, but the problem occurs when I try to download the camera to a DVD recorder. The Emerson VCR and DVD recorder I have tells me the program of the Sony TRV19 is incompatable with the DVD side and it will not down load. I can,however make a VCR tape with the camera. But when I try to dub the VCR tape to the DVD side it refuses because it recognises an un acceptable program. Any one else have that? What do I do now? Get another machine? This is getting expensive. If you have an Idea please tell me.
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I've owned my Sony TRV19 for 15 months. Like many others have mentioned, the video function stops working. The unit will play previously recorded video, but will not record or even display new video at all. This happened out of the blue. The unit was not dropped or banged in any way. Everything else works and it records sound. The lens even moves, but no video shows at all. Sony is no help and will not help pay for any repairs. They deny that this is a manufacturing flaw....obviously it is with all the other complaints noted. SONY SUCKS !!

This camera starts recording but the screen is blank. It zooms and everything but wont start "seeing". So far the screen has come back up after a minute or so, but from everyone elses comments, it looks like it will be useless, and sony will not fix it. What is more upsetting is that I just bought a brand new laptop from sony.

AMAZON please post this!!!! I and many others like you have suffer the same faith with the Sony DCR-TRV19 "No video after a few months of use". Please go to this link http://esupport.sony.com/, select Model Home , enter DCR-TRV19 in Option 1 , select the green arrow, choose the LCD screen is black in the Hot Topics menu, the next screen will SAVE you $250. I just received my unit and it works fine. They'll even pay for shipping.

The CCD in this camera goes dead after a year. Sony, well aware of the problem for a few years now, refused to repair the cameras unless you pay the $300 labor costs! A class action suit had to be brought against Sony before they would concede that it was a manufacturer defect!(You can now go to their website to initiate a free repair). My advice? Skip Sony all together from now on. Their quality has gone downhill, their customer service is disgusting, the hide defects, they install rootkits on your computer. Give your money to companies better deserving of it.

This was a great little camcorder until the CCD issue. Yes, they repaired it for free and quite quickly. However, I just today watched the video we've taken since getting it back, and there is a VERY LOUD mechanical noise buzzing rhythmically off and on in the background. It sounds like its internal to the camera (can't be outside the camera since the footage is taken over a couple of months in a variety of locations). So now I can pay $211 for Sony to repair it. Great!

I absolutely LOVE this camcorder and the NightVision Feature is Ultra Cool. The unique hi-tech touch screen is also an added plus. I had a problem with the LCD but it was fixed for free by SONY and I've had NO PROBLEMS since. Can't say enough great things about this gem. All kinds of features, "LIKE BACKLIGHT" and excellent DV Quality! A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

Calvin

I have been using this camera for four years now and had been very happy until my camera fell victim to the "CCD issue" in which the screen goes blank when trying to record. Some history...this CCD problem happens in almost all of these models and has resulted in a class action suit against Sony. They now have to repair all TRV-19 cameras free of charge, including shipping to and from your home. (If you need more info on this please visit the Sony website.) I went forward with the repairs and when I received my camera back it was working correctly and the repairs appear to have been made but a small cover piece is missing. I phoned the customer service number on my invoice and the supervisor states this piece was not on their inventory taken when they received my camera and there is nothing else they could do. So I have a functional camera now but not in the same condition that I sent to them and they really could care less--it's my word against theirs. So much for customer service. If you need to send your camera in please take lots of pictures of the condition before shipping and remove all removable parts because there is a good chance you won't get them back. I was really wanting to purchase a Sony big screen TV but this experience has ruined that plan for me. I WILL NEVER BUY FROM SONY AGAIN. I know most (if not all) electronic corporations have customer service issues but this one takes the cake. They did not want to do the right thing in the first place my fixing a problem that has been confirmed as a manufacturing defect. It's disheartening that it took a lawsuit to get Sony to do what they just should have done in the first place! And...I missed getting my baby daughter's first crawl on video because of this defect--wouldn't you know the camera broke down right then...ugh! Yes...I am frustrated. I hope some of my vent has helped you...thanks for your time.

Can I use the USB port save the movies to my computer? I wanna make Youtube movies,Can I & how well dose it work???????????...?


elliot2698 (at) yahoo com ,I wanna buy one ,
elliot
Eureka Northern Califoria

Bought this handycam when it was new. 2003 I think. Probably have went throught 50+ tapes, and this camera hasn't flinched. Bought the extended warrenty and haven't used it. Just what i was looking for.

OK......I have had the DCR-trv19 for several years now and the CCD bug got me while I was on tour with the camera. I was very mad but found out the sony will fix it for free and pay for the shipping. Just google your camera's model # with the letters "CCD" also and the link will come up where you can sign up and print out your shipping receipt. It's a slam dunk. a great camera and they support it to the end. Even though I have a hard disk recorder and an HD camera, I still use this little gem alot. It's small, durable and great pic quality.