I found a Sony HVR-A1U at a recovered freight discount store for $999. I might even be able to get it for 15% less if a reported coupon is actually eligible. The camera appears to be in new shape and has everything with it.

Does anyone have one of these? Does this seem like a good enough deal?

I found a Sony HVR-A1U at a recovered freight discount store for $999. I might even be able to get it for 15% less if a reported coupon is actually eligible. The camera appears to be in new shape and has everything with it.

Does anyone have one of these? Does this seem like a good enough deal?

If it indeed isn't a scam then it's a pretty cool deal, I'd jump on it.

I've seen prices at almost $2K. Chances are it's a scam and you can read about dozens of them at about 15 different "storefronts" that give you a price well below market value. Do they have a description of what is in the box? Some of these places try to sell you a bare camera and sell accessories separately. Be very, very careful.

I've held the camera. It's legit. This place makes its money from selling recovered freight...everything from dented cans of soup to clothes to Sony HDV camcorders (in this case).

And the 15% coupon is legit and useable through Sunday. Total price: $850.

Turns out that the camera was sold Sunday morning (before I even started this thread). Oh well.

Could be legit but you'd wonder why they'd sell something new and unopened for less than 50% of the market rate. Don't kick yourself. It could be that the camera that was recovered was just a camera and it's someone else's potential headache.

Rehashing this thread because I'm currently looking to purchase this camera with low hours second-hand. It's been a few years, but looking for a video camera that will last quite a while. Private sale is asking for $1100.00 USD with external light and external mic. Should I jump on it, or are there better deals to be had?

If you don't care that it is the first generation of HDV cams, if you don't need progressive scanning, if you are ok with recording on tape, then... why not? How many hours on the heads? Make sure that for this price it includes the XLR adapter.

Vanguard TV used this cam for their docos.