Serving a Panasonic AG-2500 miniDV Deck

[Jonathan_Healey]

Nivie in Brooklyn just called and said my Panasonic AG-miniDV deck needs a new head cylinder. Total cost of repair (parts/labor) is $462. I've owned the deck (purchased at B&H) for 1.5-years (purchased 9.17.07). It's seen little use and was never abused. I'm wondering how the drum head might have broken. Fluke? Anyone else have experience with this deck? How can I prevent it from happening again?

 

[Barry_Green]

Cheap junk, manufactured by JVC and slapped with a Panasonic label on it. Not a very good product, I had one and I dumped it.

 

[Jonathan_Healey]

Can you recommend a suitable replacement that costs about as much as the repair ($500)?

 

[Barry_Green]

A $500 deck? Most good decks cost $4,000 and up. I don't think you could get anything but a JVC at that price point.

 

[Jonathan_Healey]

I guess my question was meant to be, "Is there any alternative at $500 (the same price of the repair)? Should I just get it repaired?" So... I think I'll move forward, have them repair the deck and get back to work. I thought someone might recommend a particular $500 camera to use in lieu of the a deck.