Sony DCRTRV20 Digital Camcorder with Builtin Digital Still Mode

The quality Carl Zeiss 10x optical zoom lens is paired with Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilization to help reduce the effects of unsteadiness common at high zoom levels. A 3.5-inch color LCD monitor makes it easy to frame your shots. Additionally, the DCR-TRV20 features analog inputs, so you can convert your old footage to digital. Super NightShot is an infrared mode for 0-lux shooting. And Sony's Super LaserLink technology means you can wirelessly play back your footage on any TV equipped with a LaserLink receiver.

Overall, the camera works great. I got it on an open-box special at Circuit City, and I think it must have been dropped or something, because there are definitely loose connections somewhere. The viewfinder flickers and the firewire port is very sensitive to how far the cable is plugged into it. I sent it away to Sony for repair and after 6 weeks it came back in the same condition. Since I can't be without the thing for long stretches like that, I've never re-sent it.

Other than this nuisance issue, it has performed flawlessly, even though it's been through some tough situations. It has happily accepted different brands of tape, which many will tell you is a no-no. The pictures are clear and crisp, and my 40+ year old eyes love the 3 1/2" viewfinder.

I would give the camera a 5 star, were it not for the sound quality. In anything other than a hand-held, home video shoot, you should always use an external microphone. I don't know what's wrong, but the audio quality from such a setup is very poor. OK, I'm being picky and comparing the unit to others costing 2 or 3 times as much. But because the video quality compares so well, it makes the lackluster audio a real disappointment. With the on-camera microphone, however, you'll never notice the difference.

For someone who wants really good looking video and doesn't want to have the camera in the repair shop every year, this is a great cam.


Value for money   December 30, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Excellent camcorder with the latest features. Exceptional picture capturing capabilties with its world class lens. Very good handling features, auto stabilizer and controls are at the right location, very ergonomically designed. The wieght of the camera is also pretty decent to be handled by a single hand. One needs to be a little careful while using it during dim lights or less illumination. Another problem is of loosing the battery even in the OFF mode, my advise is to remove the battery once you are done with the usage.


excellent camera - buy the lastest model trv30   January 13, 2002
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Pros:
Better than dvd quality video; still pictures are good. Video effects and usability of comera functions are good. Nightshot works well. Good construction, beautiful lcd, very compact. I did over six months research before purchasing this camera; nothing come close.

Cons:
Serial connection to upload pics to computer is painfully slow. (trv30 corrects this with usb connection)


Best 1 CCD Camera   January 7, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a great prosumer (entry level pro) camera. Although it has only 1 CCD chip, it produces pictures close in resolution to that of the 3 CCD camcorders. The size and weight make it perfect to carry around and on vacation. The pictures are near broadcast quality, and if you want to shoot good looking movies, go for it! I plan on shooting stuff for church that I will edit on my PC (with Premiere) and I'm sure it will look great. If I decide I want to shoot something to be widely distributed, I will probably get one of the Sony 3 CCD chip 'corders.

All the controls are intuitive. The right hand holds and controls the camera. You can switch the camera on and into recording mode with the thumb, and then use the thumb to start/stop recording. You can zoom with the index finger, but be careful as the zoom works fast and you will need to get used to it (which is probably true with any camera). There is a small screen that pops out and replays, or can be used as a viewfinder. Both the eye-view finder and the screen are color. The VCR controls (electronic, no buttons) light up and can be used when the camera is put in VCR mode (by thumb control), and there are controls underneath the screen. Finally, you can take and store your digital still pictures, as the location for the memory stick is right underneath your hand as you control the camera. I can't speak to any still pictures as I don't have a stick and have never used that feature.

...The most pressing problem I see is the tape entry location. It is on the bottom. That's fine if you always shoot by hand, but if you use a tri/monopod as I have done (and many would want to do for comfort) you have to take the stand off to access the tape. This one obstacle is why I ditched the camera a star, so if you plan on always shooting by hand, it's great. Also, with steady shot you can get away with hand shots. But if you want to do weddings (and you can do that professionally with this camera) you will probably want some sort of stand device, otherwise your arm will give out on you.

The Carl Zeiss lenses, as you photo buffs know, are the best in the business, but there are no interchangable lenses on this camera. All in all, the people that this camera fit perfectly are those wanting the best vacation pictures, those getting started in digital video, and anyone who wants a great resolution camera that doesn't cost 3 grand. No complaints except the tape entry and with the size, Sony may not have been able to help that.


Sony DCR-TRV20 Digital MiniDV Camcorder With Memory Stick   January 6, 2002
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

The Sony DCR-TRV20 uses MiniDV format as opposed to the line of Sony's Digital 8 camcorders. MiniDV allows you to hold more video and on a more compact tapes.

The camcorder weighs just 1lb 7oz and looks very nice.

PICTURE

The TRV20 features a resolution of up to 520 lines (other digital video sources like DVD players and DBS offer similar resolution), higher color bandwidth (Sony claims three times higher than VHS) and virtually no video noise, since the signal is stored in the digital format.

The picture is very sharp and clear. You have 10x optical/120x digital zoom, the camera also uses Carl Zeiss lens for better picture quality, special coating reduces glare and increases contrast.

MiniDV

The camcorder uses MiniDV format. These tapes can be used in the LP mode for increased capacity without compromising the picture quality - since the data is stored in the digital format. The tape loading mechanism is quite fragile and you can accidentally bend something if you press it in the wrong place, so it pay attention to pressing in the right place while loading a cassette. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.

ADC

The TRV20 has an ADC (analog-digital converter) that converts an analog signal you pass through the analog input, so you can either record it on the MiniDV tape in digital format (for archiving purposes) or send it through the IEEE-1394 (i.Link) interface to your computer, i.Link-equipped VCR or another device.

SOUND

The camcorder uses the Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes (you can select the mode through the menu). This allows for a dynamic range of more than 96dB, since audio is stored separately you can use Audio Dubbing mode that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration. The sound quality does not deteriorate over time and there is no "background" noise introduced by the medium itself, as happens in case with analog recording.

CONTROL INTERFACES

The L (LANC) Editing Interface provides standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, VCR, and edit controller. The camcorder also has an I.Link Digital Interface (FireWire, IEEE1394), which is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible edit controllers, computers and digital VCRs.

The camcorder also has the built-in Super Laser Link Wireless Transmitter, which uses infrared light to make a wireless connection from the camcorder to your television up to 26 feet away. You can buy a receiver (IFT-R20) and connect your camcorder wirelessly to the TV or other equipment. Some Sony TV models will even switch to the appropriate channel when signal from the IFT-R20 is received.

Memory Stick

You can use the TRV20 as a digital still camera, for which you can use a supplied 4Mb Memory Stick. The resolution is 1152x864.

LCD

The camcorder has a 3.5" 246,000-pixel LCD in addition to the 180,000 pixel color viewfinder. The picture on the LCD is visible even in sunlight and you can control brightness and color through the switches on the LCD and the menu.

FEATURES

You get a high-resolution 1,070,000-pixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD (the high resolution increases the picture quality) with low noise design. It has 7 modes program AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones. Manual focus is controlled by the ring, which also looks cool. You can switch between manual and automatic focus using a switch on the left side of the camcorder (by LCD), it also has a position for "infinity" focus.

The camcorder features a Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. The TRV20 has 14 picture effects (4 of them digital), 5 A/V fader modes, 16:9 widescreen recording and 20-segment assemble editing.

The digital and picture effects can be used independently (some of them can be combined). The cool A/V fader modes I like include "dot" and "bounce". You can also manually adjust (if you want, otherwise it's automatic) shutter speed and exposure.

The 2x playback zoom allows you to zoom in during the playback (but it's cumbersome to use). You can also shoot in total darkness with Sony's Super NightShot, which enables you to shoot subjects up to 10 feet away. The system uses a built-in infrared light; the optional IR light can extend the range to up to 100 feet.

There is a built-in speaker (you can control the volume with a rocker switch) and intelligent accessory shoe, which accepts accessories ranging from lights, IR lights and photo printers to microphones that "zoom" with the camcorder.

VCR

The VCR mode allows you to see your material. When you switch to it, the VCR buttons appear on the upper black panel, backlit by the amber light (they are invisible in other modes). In "camera" mode you can use "Edit Search" to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use "End Search" button, located under the LCD to find the end of your last recording.

POWER SOURCE

The TRV20 uses Sony's InfoLithium battery, which has large capacity with no "memory effect". You can always see the approximate remaining power: AccuPower meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder, and this estimate is very accurate. The Stamina Power Management that power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use - you can shoot for up to 8 hours with an optional NP-FM91 battery.

The backlit LCD on the outer side of the 2.5" color LCD shows the remaining battery power in minutes while charging and tape counter when operating VCR.

Although not cheap, the TRV20 is a good choice if you demand high quality and willing to pay for it.