Sony DCR-TRV22 MiniDV Digital Camcorder / Digital Still Camera
Written: Apr 17 '03 (Updated Apr 29 '03)
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Pros: Low price, excellent picture and sound, features, touch-panel screen, analog inputs
Cons: Poor still picture quality
The Bottom Line: The Sony DCR-TRV2 features very good performance and features for the price. It is a good choice and is highly recommended.
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| dkozin's Full Review: Sony DCR-TRV22 Mini DV Camcorder |
The Sony DCR-TRV22 is a step-up from the TRV19. It adds the ability to take digital still pictures and save them on a supplied 8Mb Memory Stick (or an optional Memory Stick of larger capacity), a color viewfinder, Super NightShot mode and, more importantly, analog inputs.
Advantages of Digital Recording
The TRV22 is a digital camcorder, which has several advantages over analog models:
1. The picture quality is better in terms of detail level – the horizontal resolution is higher than in consumer-grade analog standards.
2. No video noise or “color bleeding” is produced by the tape itself.
3. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.
4. Video from digital camcorders is easy to transfer to one’s computer, convert and edit, as well as output back on the tape.
5. The copies have the same quality as original (if the copy is made using digital connection – i.Link a.k.a. FireWire, a.k.a. IEEE 1394).
The camcorder uses MiniDV tapes. The MiniDV is the industry standard and is the most commonly used digital video format for camcorders today. Sony also produces Digital8 camcorders, but Digital8 may only be viewed as means to decrease the costs (the tapes cost marginally less) and provide backward compatibility (they usually play Hi8 and 8mm recordings also).
In case with TRV22, you also can convert your older analog recordings into digital format, since it has analog inputs.
Picture Quality
Even though many camcorder manufacturers brag about 500 lines of horizontal resolutions in their digital models, the 500 lines is just a spec from the MiniDV standard, so one should not assume that all digital camcorders will feature such a high resolution. Also, the claims of “all-digital recording” that “features no video noise” apply to the recording process, but not necessarily to the camcorder’s optics, CCD sensor and electronics.
In other words, the resolution and picture quality in the digital camcorders are usually limited not by the medium or recording format, but the CCD, optics and electronics of the particular camcorder. And here not all camcorders are created equal. The TRV22 features high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar optics and a 680,000-pixel CCD and produces very sharp and clear picture with vivid colors. The edges of objects are well-defined with good visibility of small detail.
Some people complain about video noise is dark scenes when using camcorders of different manufacturers and models. Many negative reviews (of virtually any electronic device) are caused by lack of knowledge on how to properly use them. If they read the manual or asked somebody how to properly use the camcorder, it would greatly help. The use of the, appropriate for the lighting conditions, programmed auto exposure (AE) ensures that there is no video noise caused by overexposure.
Optics and Zoom
This model has 10x optical/120x digital zoom with Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens for improved picture quality by means of special coating that reduces glare and increases contrast level.
The camcorder features an image stabilization system called Super SteadyShot, which can be employed to fights unwanted picture shake. It is especially helpful when shooting from a moving vehicle or while walking as well as at high zoom levels.
You may have seen advertisement for camcorders on the market today that tout large zoom numbers (e.g. 400x, 720x, etc.). Those numbers, however, represent digital zoom, which degrades picture quality to a point where it is absolutely impossible to use. What matters more is the optical zoom and the 10x optical zoom the TRV22 delivers is more than enough.
Sound
The camcorder uses Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) – same basic technology that is used in CD recording (the same as other digital camcorders). The built-in stereo microphone is adequate and you can connect an external microphone to the camcorder’s microphone input or to its Intelligent Accessory Shoe.
LCD Touch Panel Screen
No modern camcorder can be imagined without an LCD screen and the TRV22 is no exception. It has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, which is touch-sensitive and allows you control the camcorder’s menus with a touch. This allows the TRV22 to have less buttons and be easier to use. The LCD has good visibility in sunlight and the color viewfinder can be used to conserve battery power when the LCD is off.
The camcorder looks quite sturdy and does not feature as many buttons as the previous models, thanks to the use of the touch panel LCD screen.
Connections
The TRV22 has an A/V in/out (analog stereo audio, composite video and S-Video) as well as an L (LANC) Editing Interface (provides standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, VCR, and edit controller). The analog A/V input allows you record from analog sources for editing or archiving purposes.
The camcorder also has an i.Link® Digital Interface (a.k.a. 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 (if equipped with an i.Link/FireWire port).
Video editing computer software not only allows you to transfer your video form the camcorder to your computer but also edit it (add music/narration, scene transitions, titles, etc.) and output it back to the tape.
The camcorder also has USB jack. The USB jack can be used to output digital still pictures to your computer as well as to use the camcorder for live or recorded MPEG streaming to your computer (only Windows-equipped computers).
There are a microphone input and a headphone output. In addition, the camcorder features an “Intelligent Accessory Shoe” on top, which accepts a range of different auxiliary devices: photo printer, microphone, video light, etc.
Digital Still Photos
You can take digital still photos and record them on the Memory Stick (the 8Mb Stick is supplied). This can be done in both standby and video recording mode. You can also record still pictures on the Memory Stick from the tape while the tape is in the playback mode.
The photos will have 640x480 resolution and their quality is unacceptable for printing. They are OK for emailing (to have the small file size) or possible web posting. This camcorder is definitely not a replacement for a digital still camera.
It also can record short MPEG video clips on the Memory Stick at 320x240 or 160x112 resolution. The clips’ quality is atrocious because of the low resolution. You can use them for the same purposes as still pictures from this camcorder: email or web.
Features
The TRV22 has a 680,000-pixel CCD (the high resolution increases the picture quality). It has 6 modes of programmed AE, manual and auto focus. The camcorder has picture effects and digital effects, several A/V fader modes as well as 16:9 recording.
You can also shoot in the dark with Sony’s NightShot and Color Slow Shutter. It works in complete darkness detecting infra-red light. The built-in Infrared light can be turned on for clearer picture up to 10 feet away. The picture will be monochrome in NightShot case or color incase with Color Slow Shutter.
Battery
The camcorder uses an InfoLithium® battery. The supplied NP-FM30 battery lasts about 40-50 minutes if you use the LCD. You can conserve the energy by using the viewfinder instead (this will give you about 20 extra minutes) or getting a battery of the larger capacity.
Playback is less demanding and you can play your videos on the LCD screen for more than one hour. In any case, the continuous recording or playback requires less energy than the one with frequent stops.
The Stamina® Power Management lowers power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use. The approximate remaining power can be seen in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder with AccuPower™ feature. It is indeed quite accurate.
Bottom Line
The Sony DCR-TRV22 features very good performance and features for the price. It is a good choice and is highly recommended.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 650
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dkozin
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Location: California
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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