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JVC GZ-HD7 Optical Image Stabilization Defect

2139 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by mjr, Aug 27, 2007

Jake Solnich

Discussion Starter · May 20, 2007

The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) feature on the GZ-HD7 is not working on my camera and from what I've read on the internet its not working for alot of other GZ-HD7 owners either.

I've been in contact with JVC for a week now about the OIS issue. The first time I called JVC the support technician obviously knew nothing about this problem. It wasn't until I requested a higher level support technician that I started getting some answers.

The 2nd level support technician told me that JVC is aware of consumer complaints about the OIS not working and they are analyzing the problem and will reach a solution by the end of the month. According to him, JVC is collecting information to see if specific serial numbers have the OIS problem or if its all of the cameras. They are also talking to the engineers from what I remember talking to him. I believe its only specific cameras because camercorderinfo actually gave it a descent rating for image stabilization and some owners claim that their camera's OIS is working.

I called back a few days later to speak to them again just to see if I could get some more information and convince them that this is indeed a problem that needs to be fixed ASAP. I explained to them they better have a solution fast or I'm returning the unit real soon.

Here's where it gets interesting. The support technician asked me to hold so he could get their GZ-HD7 camcorder that they had there in the call center. When he came back he told me he would try turning the OIS off then on too see if there was any visible difference. I was put on hold again for 2 mintues while he operated the camera testing the OIS feature. He came back on the line and actually agreed with me that there is no visible difference with OIS on or off. Their camera they had in there own tech support call center didn't even have a working OIS feature!!! THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM.

I'm begging that everyone that owns this camera and has this problem to please contact JVC customer support at 1-800-252-5722 and let them know. If the first guy on the phone try's telling you its not a problem then ask to speak to the next level support technician. Tell them you want it fixed or your returning it. JVC will only fix this if they hear about it from enough consumers.

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Blasst

· #2 · May 20, 2007

Welcome to AVS, Jake.

I hope you get some results for your JVC.

If I may give you a tip: You posted the exact same post on the JVC owners thread, no need to start another thread

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JonStatt

· #3 · May 20, 2007

Hmm..I just found an identical post on Amazon from a K. Nichols to the one made by Jake Solnich. So either Jake and K. are having an identity crisis, or someone is on a mission to stir and troll?

Please tell me people don't do a PS3 vs Xbox in the camcorder forums?!?!

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Jake Solnich

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 20, 2007

Yes, I have posted this same exact thread on other forums. I'm not on a mission to destroy the reputation of JVC's GZ-HD7 camcorder. As a matter of fact I actually own a GZ-HD7 and that's why I'm posting this thread here and on other forum's like it.

By posting this topic on this forum and many others I'm hoping to rally some kind of support from GZ-HD7 owners and get those with this problem to notify JVC and request a fix. I find it unlikely that JVC will fix this problem unless it's heard loud and clear from their consumers. Otherwise, I'd rather spend my time enjoying my new camcorder and not posting on forums about it.

I have paid very good money for this camcorder and I expect at the very least that all the features included on this camcorder work as advertised. But as you can see from reading my thread that is not the case.

So the bottom line is that this is not a troll or someone bored trying to stir up an argument. I'm just a concerned consumer with a complaint.

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JonStatt

· #5 · May 20, 2007

Okay..accept my apologies. My concern was raised as the post seemed to be from two different first name/last names.

I agree the OIS is poor but as I stated in the other thread....it IS doing something (as verified by the change in mechanical noises, and door knob test!). So I suspect JVC will just come back and say, they have looked into the issue and determined the lens is behaving as designed and due to the high resolution of the camera, shake issues are exaggerated/amplified. This is of course not true, as other manufacturers can do it....but I highly anticipate this answer!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake Solnich /forum/post/0

Yes, I have posted this same exact thread on other forums. I'm not on a mission to destroy the reputation of JVC's GZ-HD7 camcorder. As a matter of fact I actually own a GZ-HD7 and that's why I'm posting this thread here and on other forum's like it.

By posting this topic on this forum and many others I'm hoping to rally some kind of support from GZ-HD7 owners and get those with this problem to notify JVC and request a fix. I find it unlikely that JVC will fix this problem unless it's heard loud and clear from their consumers. Otherwise, I'd rather spend my time enjoying my new camcorder and not posting on forums about it.

I have paid very good money for this camcorder and I expect at the very least that all the features included on this camcorder work as advertised. But as you can see from reading my thread that is not the case.

So the bottom line is that this is not a troll or someone bored trying to stir up an argument. I'm just a concerned consumer with a complaint.

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Jake Solnich

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 21, 2007

I've heard clicking noises when turning on my camcorder but I just assumed that was the hard drive unlocking or something else. As far as I can tell though I can't hear or see anything that would tell me OIS is working.

My only hope is that if enough consumers complain or return their units then maybe they will fix it. Fortunately I have 90 days to return mine. I won't wait that long though. So I wait a few weeks and see what comes about and if nothing changes then I'll more then likely buy the Canon HV-20.

I'm not going to settle for anything less, and neither should anyone else.

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Jake Solnich

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 21, 2007

Well, I recieved my official answer back from JVC today. As far as JVC is concerned there is nothing wrong with the Optical Image Stabilization of the GZ-HD7 and they have no plans to recall this product to improve or fix its current level of function. They are basically denying that there is anything wrong with it.

This is a brief synopsis of my conversation with the JVC support technician. I answered my phone and first he said, "...I understand you have some concerns with your GZ-HD7 camcorder." I said yes and explained to him that the OIS feature on their camcorder is inferior to every other model on the market including their own lower end camcorders. I then, asked him if he had tested this feature to see for himself what I was talking about and he said he had and agreed the OIS is not very noticeable. I then asked him if JVC is planning to do anything about this and he said, "....no, JVC has no plans to improve or fix the OIS on the GZ-HD7." He then apologized for my dissatisfaction with the camera and said that he could pass my concerns onto the Engineering Department. He then offered a free T-Shirt for my troubles. WTF!!!???? A FREE T-SHIRT?? That was the straw that broke that camels back for me. Like offering me a free damn T-Shirt is somehow going to make the OIS issue go away. I told him that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I really question whether this is being taken seriously by JVC. I think JVC just assumes we are just a bunch of idiots.

I hope this stands as a fair warning to anyone considering buying this camcorder or any JVC product. As for me, I plan to never buy another JVC product ever. I expect a company to stand by it's product and if not then I'm taking my business elsewhere.

In conclusion, I'll be returning my GZ-HD7 and buying the Canon HV-20. The Canon may not be as sexy as the GZ-HD7 but at least it can get the job done.

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Jake Solnich

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 24, 2007

I'm bumping this thread because I'm not done grinding my axe with JVC. Please feel free to chime in and share your negative experience with owning the JVC GZ-HD7.

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Diggadonkey

· #9 · May 24, 2007

I don't own the HD7, but when I tried it at BB, and experienced first-hand for myself that the OIS was useless, I ruled out buying the camera. Now a happy owner of an HV20.

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doc4140

· #10 · May 26, 2007

I also owned a JVC hd7 and sent it back and bought a Canon HV20. I still really liked the JVC for the Snapshot on the viewer for playback but at 10X the picture was not viewable on the JVC. I was hoping that JVC has fixed the problem and now that the price is falling $1400 at BB? I would reconsider it again but I guess it still has a problem.

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imagic

· #11 · May 27, 2007

JVC is truly setting the standard for indifferent customer service with this issue. They have lost a customer for life with this fiasco, I'm surely not the only one.

The HD7 isn't a good camera anyhow. Truly second-rate in many ways, whereas video from the Canon HV-20 has been exemplary.

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eprightd

· #12 · Aug 26, 2007

JVC GZ-HD7 camcorder -- flaws yes -- Beautiful Video YES!

It is entirely POSSIBLE that Jake Solnich is, what's called in the business, a member of a STREET TEAM. Don't know for sure if he's a member of a STREET TEAM, but it's possible, even plausible. He's posted the same or similar negative comments all over the discovered universe, a behavior that doesn't make sense if he is merely unsatisfied with a product for which he's probably had every chance to return and buy something he likes. Really now!

A STREET TEAM is a group used to boost a product or tear down a competitor's product. For example, suppose CANON had a product, for example, a camcorder, in the marketplace, and further suppose they were in competition with JVC. A member of a hypothetical STREET TEAM would post multiple negative reviews of the JVC product and positive reviews of the CANON product to boost the market share of the CANON product and damage the market share of the JVC product.

The only thing is, people really detest this kind of manipulation once it's discovered.

Don't know for sure that this is happening, but it is plausible.

I have the JVC GZ-HD7 camcorder. Perhaps the OIS could be better. However the video is BEAUTIFUL. I personally think Jake Solnich's one man campaign is unreasonable and repulsive.

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mjr

· #13 · Aug 27, 2007

Interesting you bump this 3 month old buried many pages deep, perhaps forgotten thread, potentially reigniting the discussion.

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