The Sony DCR-TRV17 is the least expensive MiniDV camcorder from Sony. Sony produces cheaper Digital 8 models, but MiniDV allows you to hold more video and is more compact (although MiniDV tapes are somewhat more expensive).

WHY MiniDV?

Digital video is better than analog video for several reasons, some of which are:

1. There is no noise introduced by the media
2. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.
3. The copies have absolutely the same quality as original (if the copy is made using digital connection – i.Link/FireWire/IEEE 1394)
4. The horizontal resolution is higher than in consumer-grade analog standards

MiniDV is an industry standard and is the most commonly used digital video format. Although Sony and Hitachi produce Digital8 camcorders in addition to MiniDV ones, Digital8 may be viewed as means to decrease the costs (the tapes costs less) and provide backward compatibility (they usually play Hi8 and 8mm recordings).

Note: the cheap Sony TRV130 Digital8 camcorder does not play back Hi8/8mm tapes, to get backward compatibility you have to buy more expensive models.

The MiniDV 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. You should be careful with the tape loading mechanism though – it is quite fragile and you can accidentally bend something if you press it in the wrong place.

PICTURE

The TRV17 offers the resolution of up to 500 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. The 500 lines is a spec from the MiniDV standard, so one should not assume that all digital camcorders will feature such a high resolution figure.

The resolution and picture quality in the digital camcorders are usually limited not by the medium, but the CCD, optics and electronics. Which is the reason that people buy more expensive models than sub-$1000 to get picture quality.

Although some cheap camcorders are far from true 500-line resolution and picture clarity of the more advanced models, the TRV17 is not one of those. The picture is very sharp and clear.

ZOOM & OPTICS

The TRV17 features 10x optical/120x digital zoom and uses Carl Zeiss lens for better picture quality. The special coating reduces glare and increases contrast. The Super SteadyShot system can be employed for image stabilization, which fights unwanted picture shake.

ADC & PASSTHROUGH

The camcorder 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 (FireWire, i.Link) interface to your computer, compatible VCR or another device.

SOUND

As other digital camcorders, the TRV17 uses Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes. This allows for a dynamic range of more than 96dB, since audio is stored separately you can use Audio Dubbing that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration.

Note: Audio Dubbing cannot be used with tapes recorded in LP mode or with tapes recorded in 16-bit audio mode! To be able to use the audio dubbing, you have to record in 12-bit SP mode.

The sound quality does not deteriorate over time and there is no “background” noise introduced by the medium itself, as happens in analog world. You can also have 2 soundtracks if you use 12-bit mode, which allows you to make audio dubbing.

VCR

The VCR mode allows you to see your material. In “camera” mode you can use “Edit Search” to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use “End Search” button to find the end of your last recording.

LCD

The camcorder employs large 3.5” LCD, which you can use in addition to the color viewfinder. The LCD has great visibility in sunlight and color viewfinder can be used to conserve energy.

CONTROL INTERFACES

There is an L (LANC) Editing Interface that 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 digital VCRs, edit controllers and computers.

One of the ways to get into digital video editing is to get a computer equipped with an i.Link interface and software. I got Pinnacle Systems’ Studio DV for less than $90 from Amazon.com, which contains a 3-port FireWire PCI card, a cable and software.

The software not only allows you to transfer your video form the camcorder to your computer and edit/convert, but also to control the camcorder’s playback from your computer.

The TRV17 also has the 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. The transmitter is built-in, so you can buy a receiver and connect your camcorder wirelessly. You have to buy the IFT-R20 IR receiver separately.

FEATURES

The camcorder features a 680,000-pixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD (the high resolution increases the picture quality) with low noise design. It has several modes of AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones.

The 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 exposure can also be controlled manually when needed so you can avoid overexposure (and video noise in low-light scenes).

The 2x playback zoom allows you to zoom in during the playback and enlarged pictures can be copied to MemoryStick. The camcorder has 14 picture effects (6 digital effects), several digital A/V fader modes, 16:9 and LP mode recording.

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.

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 also a built-in speaker (you can control the volume) and camcorder comes with a remote control and an intelligent accessory shoe (which accepts accessories ranging from lights, IR lights and photo printers to microphones that “zoom” with the camcorder).

The camcorder also comes with remote control that gives you access to advanced VCR functions as well as shooting.

MEMORY STICK

You can use the TRV17 as a digital still camera at 640x480 resolution (enough for emailing), the images are stored on a supplied 4Mb Memory Stick. You can use the supplied USB cable and software to transfer images to your PC, edit and store/catalog them. The MemoryStick can also store short MPEG clips at two resolutions.

POWER SOURCE

The power source for the camcorder is an InfoLithium® battery, which lasts about 35 minutes if you use LCD (since the camcorder employs large 3.5” screen). You can conserve the energy by using the color viewfinder instead or getting a battery of the larger capacity.

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 – this estimate is usually very accurate.

The Stamina® Power Management lowers power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use.

BOTTOM LINE

With great picture quality, large LCD, USB and i.Link and rich set of features, the TRV17 is a joy and a good value.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 850