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Reviews
Amazon.com
The Sharp VL-H860U combines an easy-to-use, unique design with a super-close-up zoom and special effects to create a camcorder that's both fun and powerful. Its high- quality Hi-8 format ensures that your videos will be extra sharp and clear. This camcorder is a great choice for family use. The Sharp VL-H860U's design lets you hold the camera above your head or facing you while you swivel the main screen portion toward you. This design is even more intuitive than the flip-out LCD screen used in most camcorders. The only drawback to this design is that the Sharp VL- H860U doesn't have an additional optical viewfinder. It was exceptionally easy to hold and point, however, feeling more like a large, square film camera than a bulky, oblong camcorder--plus it is quite an eye-catcher. The Sharp VL-H860U's Hi8 format, a better-quality version of 8mm film, records clearer, sharper and more colorful videos than those recorded on VHS, VHS-C, or traditional 8mm tapes. Hi8 is the best-quality video you can get short of going digital. The Sharp VL-H860U has up to 22x optical zoom and a whopping 200x digital zoom--useful for filming sporting events and other long-distance views. However, raising the magnification reduces the quality of the image. This camcorder comes with a wide range of exposure and special effects options, including backlight compensation, fade, strobe, and picture effects. It also has digital image stabilization, useful for shaky subjects. Another feature we liked was the Sharp VL-H860U's single-shot camera ability, which lets you take snapshots accompanied by sound. Although this camcorder doesn't have the computer-transfer capabilities of a digital camera, it is still fun to take photos on the tape as well as video. Pros:
- Unique, easy-to-use design
- Large 3-inch LCD screen
- Wide range of exposure and picture effects
- Still-shot capability
- High-quality Hi-8mm format
Cons:
Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: 
Number of Reviews: 9
Larry Ciummo (larryc@softcon.net) from W. Greenwich, RI , October 11, 1999 
Good Deal From Amazon.Com
I ordered it from Amazon and it came in 2 days (with 2 day air UPS option). This is a very functional camcorders and well-priced for a Hi-8 unit. It lacks the touch-sensitive screen found on the higher-end Sharp units, using rather small clikc-type buttons across the bottom of the screen. The Electronic Image Stabilization seems to only work welll when you are zoomed in on high-contrast shapes. That enables it to lock in and stabilize the image. Stabilization does not seem to work at all on general scenes lacking these characteristics. Compared with my own Sony, the image sensitivity does not seem as good, even in a normally lit room. Without bright lights on, the colors seem faded and without saturation. A good all around Hi-8 unit for the price, but maybe not for a lot of inside use. outdoor power@earthlink.net from Sedro Woolley, Washington. , September 7, 1999
Outstanding quality in a hi8 cam-camera.
I just purchased the latest model VL-H875U I absouletly love it. This is the first of its type I have purchased over the old 5 lb quasar VHS format cam camera I have owned since the late 1980s. The ease of learning to use it was simplicity in itself. I would highly recomend it to anyone interested in this type of photography. Hi 8 excells all others. doctorq9@yahoo.com from Sacramento, California , August 23, 1999
Outstanding product and Amazon customer service!
This camcorder is an absolute delight to use. But even more important is Amazon's customer service. The first one I purchased malfunctioned within 15 days of receipt -- after contacting Amazon, they shipped a replacement to me within 3 days!! Not only did I save $$ (Circuit City and the Good Guys were almost $90 more in price) but the excellent service alone is an important selling point. An electronics enthusiast from California , August 3, 1999
The Best Value I Have Found
Easy to use, light weight, and great features. Perfect for first time users and still challenging for the pros. An electronics enthusiast from Tennessee , July 26, 1999
superb picture quality easy to use for the whole family
I could not find a better camera for the money on the market. I have just finished a week long cruise with all lighting conditions. exceptional pictures. The stabilization mode works well. An electronics enthusiast from Rochester, NY , July 25, 1999
Very good
I will be buying a camcorder within the next month. I got sold on the viewcam by talking to an owner of a pawn shop in Jacksonville Fl. He gave me the idea to put the camera on a tripod to hold it up above crowds. No more shots of the back of someone's head at an event. He was at a race in the pit and held it over the mechanics' shoulders and got an up-close view of what was going on. He actually sold the tape to ESPN. william@webname.com from Boca Raton, Florida , July 16, 1999
Excellent choice!!!!!
I don't have this exact model; mine's a tad older but with the 4" screen rather than the 3" screen. On the whole, I am extremely pleased with my Sharp camcorder. The unusual design approach that Sharp takes makes it easy to record people naturally, and allows the one doing the recording to make eye contact with those who are being videotaped -- great for recording children!! The features are rich, and the unit offers lots of capabilities - I like fade in/out and digital stabilization. It's easy to hook-up to a VCR for playback (look for VCR's with front panel jacks). The sound and pictures are terrific. So far, after one year of heavy use, no problems at all using my Sharp camcorder. One last thing, the standard battery really does last 2hrs playback, about 45min record time. A good idea: record children's selections on 8mm tape and play them in travel settings, like in an airplane or in a car. An electronics enthusiast from Batavia, IL , July 15, 1999
great quality, easy to operate
I prefer the big LCD screen of the Viewcam to the camcorders with a viewfinder. The design is born out of practicality. The Viewcam also has a host of convenient extra features; some of which I don't use, but are nice to have. I was also surprised by how clear the audio was. An electronics enthusiast from jordan , June 21, 1999
its very intersting and i hop to by it
its great and this which i need
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