you dont say if you look at the edited or the raw footage, look at the raw footage on a good hd panel. it will look stunning no question, if the qulity drops on the edit then its your edit gear. dont blame the camera.
the tape drive door is to stop dust, the mic is on a rubber mount to stop cam handling noise, i have the xlh1 the big brother of your camcorda, the picture qulity from your and mine is the same, fantastic.