Sharp VLWD255U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5'' Viewscreen, Smart Media Slot and Built-in Digital Still Mode | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sharp
Category: Photography
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  218 reviews
Sales Rank: 33753
Format: Minidv
Platforms: Windows Nt, Macintosh, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Nt 3.5, Windows Nt 4, Windows Nt 5, Powermac, Windows Me, Windows Xp, Windows 2000 Server, Mac Os X, Mac Os 9 And Below, Windows
Media: Electronics
Batteries Included: Yes
System Memory: 8
Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 26
Digital Zoom: 780
Connectivity: Headphone
Display Size: 2.5
Compatibility: PC Firewire
Maximum Focal Length: 91
Minimum Focal Length: 3.5
Size: Palm
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 4 x 4 x 7
16:9 Widescreen
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
MPN: VL-WD255U
Model: VL-WD255U
UPC: 074000352797
EAN: 0074000352797
ASIN: B00005KK2Q
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| Features:
| • | MiniDV camcorder | | • | 26x optical, 780x digital zoom with digital image stabilization | | • | 2.5-inch color LCD monitor and color EVF | | • | Photo mode records still images onto tape or SmartMedia card (not included) | | • | Uses an included lithium-ion battery; package includes remote control, battery, charger, lens cap, serial cable for still image transfers, and video cables |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
For great video you need a couple of things: a good lens and high video resolution. The Sharp VL-WD255U provides both. The standard MiniDV format offers sparkling video resolution (just compare it to the "low-tech" VHS-C), and a powerful 26x optical zoom. The optical zoom is augmented by the 780x digital zoom and digital image stabilization, but both come at the expense of a little resolution, so use with caution. For those interested in still pictures, the VL-WD255U comes with the capability to record digital images onto either a MiniDV tape or SmartMedia card (not included). The camcorder comes equipped with four autoexposure modes that help make sure all your camera settings are correct. A 16:9 mode lets you shoot video in the same aspect ratio as feature films. The VL-WD255U comes equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and remote control.
Product Description
The VL-WD255U camcorder will enhance your home video enjoyment and allow you to capture those special moments. The VL-WD255U offers a Smart Card Media slot that allows the simple transfer of still images to a PC. User can record still images to a Smart Media card for easy transfer to a PC for sharing via e-mail. Gamma Brightness Compensation corrects for gradation in dark areas of image to make images clearer. Playback Zoom provides the playback picture to be magnified up to ten times its original size. You can record video and audio from an external device for digital transfer/storage. Total manual control of focus/exposure/shutter provides creative record effects.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 213 more reviews...
Solution - to Eject the Cassette problem February 2, 2007
Hi,
I want to share the solution I use to get out of the problem.
I have experienced the same problem with this Camcorder.
The "Eject Cassette" problem is because the camcorder is very sensitive to any small tape looseness inside the tape.
Solution:
It is not very complex but a bit difficult to figure out at the first time.
You need atleast one more person to help you.
Turn the cassette to its ugly side where you see two wheels.
Open the cassette tape front so that you can see the tape itself. This you can achieve by pressing a tiny white pastic lever at your left side and then opening the front.
Now, betwen the two wheels almost at the bottom you see another small while plastic thing. With a pencil tip, press that down. This lets the two wheels move freely.
While holding this tiny plastic thing down, ask someone to take a pencil and pull the tape from inside away from the tape as if a child is doing it. May be 10 to 15 inches.
Then using either a pencil head eraser or something else keep rotating the wheels until the tape is pulled/wound back. While this is being done, the person holding the tape with the pencil slowly lets the tape come in. Do not leave the tape hanging. If it hangs it creates a lot of knots and you will curse me forever. The exposed tape must be held fimly but not to the level it breaks. Once the entrie tape is wound up, leave all the holds.
Put the tape back in to the camcorder and it will work fine. If it does not, repeate the process until it rewinds/forwards fine. Within two to three attempts, your cassette should be fine.
The "Eject Cassette" problem is because the camcorder is very sensitive to any small tape looseness inside the tape.
This procedure basically clears such looseness.
Hope everyone who has gone through the problems find this useful and get all their recordings back.
With regards,
-----Balan
 Shame on you Sharp! January 5, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Shame on Sharp for putting out such trash. Bought this in August of 2001 and now have been out of a camcorder for a year (since 2004). Thought I would look up reviews to see if anyone else was having the same problem with "eject cassette" message. I found out by reading that this is a common problem with this camcorder and Sharp has been no help what so ever! Never will I buy their product again I hope you don't too. If there is a class action suit, please include me! DON"T BUY THIS SHARP PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!
I WILL NEVER BUY FROM SHARP AGAIN!!! June 22, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The bad reviews hit all of the problems with this camera right on the head. THIS CAMCORDER IS A PIECE OF JUNK. Eject tape issue, pixelated audio and video...I've both of these problems every time I try and use it. Different tapes and head cleaning did NOTHING. DO NOT BUY!!!!
"Eject the Cassette" message, Sharp not very helpful... July 4, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I bought at the end of 2001, and I too have been getting these "eject the cassette" messages! I just didn't know how common this was until I started looking for a replacement camcorder just today, and happened to see mine (this one) and thought I would just check out the reviews, and was just SHOCKED to see how many others have had this same problem. I probably have used this camcorder a total of about 2 (yes, two) hours in the past 3-1/2 years, and have been getting the "eject the cassette" message for at least a year, I have to use a new tape each time I record, and cannot use the tape again (even to Play it), it tells me to "Eject the Cassette"--won't let me do ANYTHING. Sharp has not been helpful at all, continually referring me to 'my closest athorized servicer'. The closest place that will service it is in California, and I have to pay $55 just for them to 'assess' what the problem is. I have not found anyone in Arizona that can repair them, since they (an authorized Sharp servicer here) said when Sharp came out with these, they did not have a training program for repair shops to learn how to repair them. DO NOT BUY THIS CAMCORDER!!! Again, I am just shocked to read all these other reviews that sound IDENTICAL to the problems I have been experiencing practically since the camcorder was out of warranty, figures.
Please don't buy this piece of Junk... May 31, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this in summer of 2001, it worked fine for a year and then it started giving garbled play back, Eject tape and eating tape.
I wish I had these reviews before I bought this junk. This is my first and last Sharp product and sharp was not helpful at all when I explained what was happening. Please don't waste your money on this piece of Junk.Thanks
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