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So i'm thinking about getting Sony DCRTRV260. It's a handycam that records in the Digital8 format. It supports both USB and IEEE1394. Has anyone used this / had experiences with it? If so, did you like it?
I'm open to suggestions. I don't need anything too high-tech, just something I can fool around with, for the most part.
they are fine
I have another one but from the same family also
the DCR-TRV 730e
great video quality, even surpasses it's digital image quality
and the IEEE link is superior, you'll just need a good machine on the other end to avoid losing frames
my reccomendations is to get it, as long as your PC has at least 256 MB of memory and a fast HDD with enough space and a good processor, at least a P4
good choice man, enjoy it, ohh and while you're at it get an extra batterycoz it's a battery hog, get the M series, don't get tempted to get the largest coz they're bulky and they'll fall off
I'm not sure if this model has a light source or not, if not get an accessory shoe light source, some of them have a combo of Light/Flash/Infra-Red source, but they're more expensive of course
G'Luck
I just got my new Shiny -actually it's black- Canon G5, thanks to Aversion on this one :D
I was going to purchase the Sony DCR-TRV460 but I ended up buying the JVC GR-72 for $350.
My first impulse was to stay with Sony as I have had several Sonys and I have lots of recordings on 8mm analog tapes. I liked the idea of being able to play these older tapes directly in the new camcorder (can't do that with the TRV260 though).
However, what changed my mind was,
1) the size of the Sony (it's quite a bit larger than MiniDV camcorders)
2) the JVC's substantially better low-light performance
3) the JVC has 1/6 inch 680k CCD compared to the Sony's 1/6inch CCD with 290K effective pixels (translates to overall better video and helps with low-light)
4) the fact that MiniDV seems to be the clear winner as the new standard.
5) I realized I can use the JVC in passthrough mode and connect my old Sony analog to the computer for transferring my old analog tapes (I realize I could have done this with the Sony as well)
I'm sure they're both good products but you might want to check out the reviews before making your final choice.
Sony DCR-TRV260 Review
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-review.htm
JVC GR-72 Review
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-review.htm
Lots of camcorder reviews, comparisons and info,
http://www.camcorderinfo.com
So far, I love the JVC.
I tried both SOny's and JVC's cameras, by far the night shot in Sony -absent in the JVC- plus the video quality of the Sony surpasses the JVC totally
plus for a guy I don't think small size is that much of an advantage, it's easier to be stolen, or forgotten somewhere
plus the Digital8 tapes can hold more than the MiniDV tapes
Try this link a guy who owned both JVC and Sony is making a small comparison
Hope that helped
Forget all of that posted above... get yourself one of these little stunners! :)
Sony DCR-PC330
I'm saving some pennies now to get one :)
eeew sony and thier proptitery(SP?) garbage Mini DV is so much better that that Digital8 crap(still 8mm format but trying to record digital video onto analog tape).
i just bought myself one of These little puppies, coming as we speak. Wanted the 30 or 40 model, but i wanted to buy more then JUST the camera...
hey markp, that is a sweet little Sony you are saving for. atleast it supports Mini DV, and sony is finally realizing how much crap that Digital8 idea was.
I think D1 is hating us right now :D
who?
Yup! :) Manual focus ring, is the main feature I'll use... I like the design and size of it too... £800 from a certain website! Down from £1300 from most highstreet stores!Quote:
Originally posted by WannaBe_80z
hey markp, that is a sweet little Sony you are saving for. atleast it supports Mini DV, and sony is finally realizing how much crap that Digital8 idea was.
ok i am lazy, how much is that in US dollars? $1500? i have no clue :p
and yeah i like my little optura 20, still wish i got the 30,\. main feature i was looking for was the manual setting to change the shutter speed, for a kinda of look i am going to be going for.
and i have been ripped off to much, i am only trusting B&H for stuff like this from now on.
Quote:
Originally posted by WannaBe_80z
and i have been ripped off to much, i am only trusting B&H for stuff like this from now on.
Agreed, they were the only one with Canon G5 still in stock and they had nice prices too, only problem the screen has a ded pixel but no big deal anyway
£800.00 GBP = $1,481.38 USDQuote:
Originally posted by WannaBe_80z
ok i am lazy, how much is that in US dollars? $1500? i have no clue :p
and i have been ripped off to much, i am only trusting B&H for stuff like this from now on.
B&H? Benson and Hedges? :D
nooo www.bhphotovideo.com only the best place to buy photo/video/pro audio equipment
yaya was shiiped out last night, anyday now...
to each his own...I too tried them both and the quality of the JVC is clearly better!Quote:
Originally posted by el-Ignoramus
[B]I tried both SOny's and JVC's cameras, by far the night shot in Sony -absent in the JVC- plus the video quality of the Sony surpasses the JVC totally
this is strictly personal preference. the size difference is not so great as to be a factor in losing it; I mean, you can see it with the naked eye just fine! and people steal cars all the time. :)Quote:
plus for a guy I don't think small size is that much of an advantage, it's easier to be stolen, or forgotten somewhere
yeah but they are the outgoing standard. if this is a real concern you can probably find a nice VHS camcorder on eBay that'll let you record even more per tape!Quote:
plus the Digital8 tapes can hold more than the MiniDV tapes
everyone just needs to look at the different models available, check the specs and features and finally pick the one you like. bottom line is every camcorder available today is probably a lot better than those we were perfectly happy with 5 years ago!
AgreedQuote:
Originally posted by XcVbSdRw
to each his own...I too tried them both and the quality of the JVC is clearly better!
this is strictly personal preference. the size difference is not so great as to be a factor in losing it; I mean, you can see it with the naked eye just fine! and people steal cars all the time. :)
yeah but they are the outgoing standard. if this is a real concern you can probably find a nice VHS camcorder on eBay that'll let you record even more per tape!
everyone just needs to look at the different models available, check the specs and features and finally pick the one you like. bottom line is every camcorder available today is probably a lot better than those we were perfectly happy with 5 years ago!
one more thing that got me to buy the Sony, is it's somehow expandability, mine is a bit different, and in it's smart shoe accessory I can add a mini printer, which is quite costly but perfect for printing on spot, also a couple of mics and lighting devices
as for the 8mm being outdated, I highly doubt that, lots of manufacturers still make them till today, we're not talking about two years ago models here, they are still an industry standard, and their tapes also have better durability than the MiniDV plus the backward compatability makes it fun to use old tapes from older models, without the need to buy any special hardware
plus in a MiniDV a night shot is almost useless, I've seen no camera from any brand yet to rise to bar, plus the digital zoom in most MiniDV is of absurd quality, nothing beats the bulkiness of a real Optical zoom
Bottom line is
if you're interested in lightness and compactness and not so interested in night shots or dimmer light conditions and/or won't be using the zoom much, then go for a MiniDV, they are fun and small, but if you want something quite upgradeable and with a better image quality go for Digital8
this is the single disadvantage of the JVC I bought - no shoe or external mic inputs. however, the Sony and all others in this price range are also missing these features. I just decided to forego the feature to save a few hundred!Quote:
Originally posted by el-Ignoramus one more thing that got me to buy the Sony...it's smart shoe accessory
yeah I would agree this is not something to worry about in 2004 or 2005 but a few years from now I'd bet MiniDV will be to 8mm as DVD is to VHS. one reviewer said "Digital8's were hot items in the nineties, but considering Sony's move to DVD camcorders, their future is questionable...there is still a market for Digital8's...and will linger as a format for a few more years at least."Quote:
as for the 8mm being outdated, I highly doubt that, lots of manufacturers still make them till today
my night shots are great with the JVC. according to the reviewer at www.camcorderinfo.com "Low light performance on the <Sony> DCR-TRV260's 1/6inch CCD with 290K effective pixels is nothing to write home about...subject to excessive grain, and an overall dullness. The colors were muted and there was an overall lack of vibrancy common in most low end digital camcorders...The JVC GR-D33 however does much better in low light at the same price tag."Quote:
plus in a MiniDV a night shot is almost useless, I've seen no camera from any brand yet to rise to bar
while I'd agree the digital zoom is a useless feature, remember that the MiniDVs also have optical zoom. just don't use the digital zoom and this is a non-issue.Quote:
plus the digital zoom in most MiniDV is of absurd quality, nothing beats the bulkiness of a real Optical zoom
night shots with the JVC MiniDV are just fine. as noted above the zoom is also no issue on MiniDV (just don't use the digital zoom). image quality on the JVC is better than the comparably priced Sony Digital8. finally, upgradability is less related to format and more related to the price range you are in!Quote:
if you're interested in lightness and compactness and not so interested in night shots or dimmer light conditions and/or won't be using the zoom much, then go for a MiniDV, they are fun and small, but if you want something quite upgradeable and with a better image quality go for Digital8
however, it comes down to personal preference. everyone can find all the "facts" they need to justify their choice of camcorder (or religion or whatever!) :D
Hehehe
true dat, now send me a free JVC and I'll love it too
Hey did anyone notice how D1 stopped posting in his thread??
hey lazy dude, get off your couch and take a trip to the mall ,and start testing the cameras :p
Well, if you have a lot to spend, go for the Canon GL2.
or if you have A LOT to spend wait for the XL2 in september...hmhm delicious.Quote:
there's gonna be a version 2 of that sweet toy ?Quote:
Originally posted by WannaBe_80z
or if you have A LOT to spend wait for the XL2 in september...hmhm delicious.
links ?
http://www.google.com/search?q=xl2&s...utf-8&oe=utf-8Quote:
Originally posted by snuifkip.com
links ?
;)
Or, more specifically, http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=10350
found them linkies ..