Great choice if you're moving up to digital and firewire
Written: Jul 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Size, image quality, battery life
Cons: On-off switch, memory stick not Mac-friendly (so far)
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| pbanas's Full Review: Sony Handycam® CCD-TRV108 Hi-8 Analog Camcord... |
After significant research, I chose this video camera to film the days leading up to the birth of my daughter and her following four months. It wasn't the cheapest by far, but it does have all the features you could want. So far, I've been very happy with this machine on several levels.
1. Image quality is a step up from my Hi8 Sony. This is in part due to the Zeiss lens, but mostly I am sure due to the digital format.
2. Easy and fast Firewire connection. If you're an iMac user as I am, making movies using iMovie is a snap. A happy surprise for me is that iMovie controls actually operate the video camera, therefore obviating the need to push buttons on the camcorder while you're editing on the computer.
3. Battery power seems to last forever. We keep the camera close by and it holds a charge for a long period of time, but also doesn't burn through the battery as in previous models. I bought an extra (and extra big!) battery as a back up. If you feel this is necessary (warning: recharge is on the camera), buy the same size; I think you'll be happy with it and won't have added the extra weight.
4. Great size and weight. You can slip this camera in the pocket of your khakis or a jacket. Very important if you travel.
On the flip side, the single shot option and memory stick capture works fine, but I don't use it regularly. The quality is not as good as 2 megapixel cameras you can find out there and if you know how to capture a still image from the regular movie, that seems just as easy. Since the memory stick reader included is not mac-friendly, I haven't used the photo capture and album software included with the camera, but I tend to still like traditional photograph quality anyway.
Second drawback is a typical one for these Sony cameras: the on-off switch is unwieldly and hard to use. Inexperienced spouses will have trouble figuring this one out and you will often miss the right setting. It's not enough to recommend against the camera, but don't be surprised that Sony again hasn't figured this out. Other controls are also difficult to operate by touch.
I love extra gadgets and also bought the wireless receiver (~$100). Works great, but haven't found the convenience to be worth the money.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
pbanas
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Member: Paul Banas
Location: San Francisco
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
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