The Sony DCR-TRV70 is a digital MiniDV camcorder that features a 2.1-Megapixel CCD, which helps it produce excellent picture quality in video and digital still modes.

The camcorder can take digital still photos at up to 1600x1200 resolution, has a color viewfinder as well as analog inputs (including S-Video).

Picture Quality

The camcorder produces excellent picture quality when either shooting video or recording through its analog inputs. Through the use of high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics and a 2.1-Megapixel CCD, the TRV70 produces very sharp and clear picture with vivid colors when shooting video as well as still pictures.

The picture resolution in video mode is among the best I've seen.

The edges of the objects are well-defined with good visibility of small detail and low video noise (if using proper auto exposure mode). The 2.1-Megapixel CCD, combined with digital video recording provides not only excellent picture and low noise, but also additional benefits described below.

Digital Recording

This model is a MiniDV digital camcorder. The analog camcorders lack the picture quality and features of the digital models, but cost less. In any case, I would suggest a digital model like this one over an analog one. Only with digital recording can this camcorder use advantages of its high-resolution CCD.

Digital Advantages:

1. Better picture quality and detail level – the horizontal resolution is higher than in analog camcorders, more vivid colors, no color bleeding.
2. No video noise is produced by the tape itself.
3. Storage: since the recording is digital, the quality should not deteriorate over time.
4. Connectivity: the video from digital camcorders is easy to transfer to a computer, convert and edit, as well as output back to 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).

The camcorder has analog inputs and allows you to convert your older analog recordings into digital format. And you even can use it as a high-resolution VCR, which will rival a DVD recorder in terms of picture quality (but not in connectivity, ease of use or features).

Zoom

The camcorder features 10x optical/120x digital zoom with Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens for improved picture quality. The image stabilization system called Super SteadyShot is employed to fight unwanted picture shake.

Even the 10x optical zoom is quite adequate, but since the camcorder has a 2.1-Megapixel CCD (4-5 times more pixels than the low-end models), the digital zoom does not decrease the picture quality substantially. In any case, the 120x digital zoom will never be used to its full potential because you are unlikely to need such magnification.

Sound

The camcorder’s built-in stereo microphone is adequate for speech and can be supplanted by an external microphone (connected to the microphone input) or by one, connected to the camcorder’s Intelligent Accessory Shoe. The sound is recorded in digital format, using Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - the same basic technology used in CD recording.

LCD Touch Panel Screen

Virtually all modern digital camcorders feature an LCD screen. Having an LCD screen simplifies the picture framing, allows you see what you are shooting as camcorder points anywhere and even let the subject see itself on the screen while the recording is in progress. The TRV70 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, which is touch-sensitive and allows you control the camcorder’s menus with a touch of the supplied stylus, as well as adjust exposure, focus mode and other parameters.

Having touch-sensitive screen allows the TRV70 to have less buttons and be easier to use. In addition to the LCD, the camcorder also has a color viewfinder, which 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.

Connectivity

The camcorder 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. You can even use the camcorder as a digital VCR, however, the A/V input and output happen through the same connection (same for S-Video), which is inconvenient – you have to do your own signal switching. I use a digital camcorder as a high-resolution digital VCR and use a passive A/V switch.

The TRV70 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).

Computer software for video editing 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 (using i.Link/FireWire interface).

The camcorder has an external 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.

Additionally, the TRV70 has a 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).

Features

The camcorder features six modes of programmed AE, manual and auto focus, picture effects and digital effects, several A/V fader modes as well as 16:9 recording. Make sure to use ”Sunset & Moon” programmed AE mode in the dark conditions to avoid video noise.

You can 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 when using Color Slow Shutter mode.

You can either set exposure to the automatic mode or control it manually. Ditto the focus (there is a focus ring around the lens for manual control) as well as the white balance.

There are two recording speeds: SP and LP. LP mode increases the tape capacity by 50%, allowing you to record 90 minutes on a 60-minute tape. The camcorder is also compatible with MiniDV tapes that have built-in memory chips of up to 16K. If you use cassettes with memory chips, you can label the tape (up to 10 characters), create custom titles, superimpose titles, perform the title search.

Digital Still Camera Functionality

The camcorder has a high-resolution 2.1-Megapixel CCD, which lets you take digital still pictures at 1600x1200 or 640x480 resolution and record them on the Memory Stick (the 8Mb Memory 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 (in original size or enlarged using Playback Zoom mode).

There are two quality modes for each resolution: “Fine” and “Standard”. In “Fine” mode, the images are compressed to about 1/4 of the original file size, in “Standard” – to about 1/10.

The supplied 8 Mb Memory Stick can hold 8 images in 1600x1200 “Fine” mode or 18 in 1600x1200 “Standard”. You can also purchase Sticks of larger capacity.

There are features like Exposure Bracketing as well as continuous shooting modes available. The Hologram Auto Focus uses laser beams to accurately focus on the subject in dark conditions.

You can also record short MPEG video clips on the Memory Stick at 320x240 or 160x112 resolution (although I am not sure why one would do such a thing). The clips’ quality is quite bad because of the low resolution. The supplied 8 Mb Stick holds 1 minute and 20 seconds in 320x240 mode or 5 minutes and 20 seconds in 160x112 mode.

Pop-Up Flash

The camcorder has a pop-up flash which can either fire automatically or be set to one of several modes: Auto, Auto Red-Eye Reduction, Forced, Forced Red-Eye Reduction, No Flash.

Battery

The TRV70 uses an InfoLithium® battery. It ships with the NP-FM50 battery, which lasts about 60-70 minutes if you use the LCD (40 more minutes if the recording is continuous). You can conserve the energy by using the viewfinder instead (this will give you about 15 extra minutes) or getting a battery of larger capacity. In any case, you can see the approximate remaining power in hours and minutes on the camcorder’s LCD or its viewfinder.

Remote Control

The camcorder comes with remote control that allows you control playback, rewind, fast forward, search, zoom, start/stop and other functions.

Bottom Line

The Sony DCR-TRV70 is very feature-rich and, more importantly, produces excellent picture quality.



My Reviews of Other Digital Camcorders

Sony DVD Camcorders:
Sony DCR-DVD201 Handycam DVD Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-DVD101 Handycam DVD Camcorder Review

Sony MiniDV Camcorders:
Sony DCR-HC40 1-Megapixel Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-HC30 Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-HC20 Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review

Sony Digital8 Camcorders:
Sony DCR-TRV460 Handycam Digital8 Digital Camcorder Review

Panasonic MiniDV Camcorders:
Panasonic PV-GS200 Palmcorder 3CCD Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Panasonic PV-GS120 Palmcorder Mini DV Digital 3CCD Camcorder Review


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1100
Recommended for: Trendsetters - Hip and Stylish Gadgets