Canon ZR85 Mini DV Digital Camcorder - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

When the product is too old and there are no repair parts sitting in a warehouse somewhere.....it isn't going to get repaired.

Any battery will lose the ability to take a charge if left unused for over a year. Replace all the batteries, charge them fully, and re-charge them at least once a month.

It sounds as if your battery is shot. If it does it with any battery then that's not the case, of course, but a Batteries Plus store can test it for you or you can just order a replacement from Amazon. I've had good luck with Wasabi Power replacement batteries from Amazon.com.

Yes, it uses MiniDV tapes. The SD function on the camera is used to capture still shots.

is the unit charging but you cant see the light for charging or it's not charging at all?

http://download.cnet.com/Freemake-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-75218346.html You could try this pretty awesome, FREE program to convert your stuff...

What size card? Are you sure you have an SD card, 2GB or smaller, and not a higher-capacity SDHC card?

Please try using a different battery pack and check if that helps.

Are you trying to use SDHC cards? The ZR85 only works with MMC and SD cards, 2GB and smaller.

This is usually caused by a defective CCD image sensor and will require disassembling the camera to repair. The lens assembly will need to be removed, the old CCD de-soldered from the circuit board and a new one installed in its place. This can usually be done fairly inexpensively. However, it's not really a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com .

This is usually caused by a defective CCD image sensor. This will require disassembling the camera and removing the lens assembly to repair and can be done fairly inexpensively. However, it's not really a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com .

It is very possible that the moisture detection circuit or one of the tape motion sensors has been damaged by the water. While it is possible to have this camera repaired, it is probably not worth it.

Considering the age and present value of this camera, paying the cost of having it repaired, approximately $140 - $165 really depends on how attached to the camera you are. The standard "rule of thumb" is if the repair cost is greater than 50% of the value of the camera, it is not worth it. A good used or refurbished Canon ZR85 can be purchased for about $40-$75. Especially useful if you have previously recorded tapes that you need to transfer.

Lowest repair estimate at the link below: unitedcamera.com/CANON-ZR85

I hope this helps to solve it.

This is usually caused by a failed component in the power circuit within the camera and can usually be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I

You connect the camera to the computer with a firewire cable the open
Windows Movie Maker or similar application to capture the footage.

You require a firewire cable and an application that can capture the footqge such as Windows Movie Maker.

Batteries have a service life and it most likely needs replacing.
If the battery is more than two years old I'd head straight down and buy a newie.

Unfortunately the CCD recall program is no longer in effect. A defective CCD image sensor can be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it’s not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I’m a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I’m semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com .
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USB will not work for video, USB is for still photo transfer.
You should use a firewire cable, also called iLink or IEEE1394.

A common problem with these units is a bad CCD (image sensor). Contact Canon support:
http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer?pageKeyCode=repairLanding
They may be able to repair this for free under some sort of an extended warranty, since it is such a pervasive problem-- or if not, you are probably out of luck and will need to purchase a new camcorder, as the repair cost would likely exceed the value of a new unit.