Review 1 of 1
, from Woodland Hills, CA
Price Paid:
$550.00 Summary:Great Entry Level Digital8.
Though the TRV130 is Sony''s the bottom-of-the-line Digital8, the TRV130 packs a lot of features into a digital camcorder costing under $600.
I bought the TRV130 because of Consumer Reports (Nov ''01 - Camcorder Ratings), DVSpotReview (http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/sony/trv130-review/index.shtml), CNET TRV130 Opinions, 1 Lux minimum illumination, and price.
Per Consumer Reports Ratings, the TRV130''s Picture Qualty Rating ("Very Good" for SP & LP) was as good as other digital camcorders (D8/MiniDV) costing 2x and 3x as much. Of ALL the 14 digital camcorders tested, the TRV130 was ONE of the THREE digital camcorders tested that received an "Excellent" Rating for Image Stabilization.
As noted by a previous post the TRV130 cannot play analog 8 or Hi8 tapes. However, even those with an older analog Hi8 camcorder may want to still consider getting the TRV130 and use their analog Hi8 camcorder to play their analog 8 and Hi8 tapes.
Why? Because the TRV130 is the only Sony Digital8 that comes close to the analog Hi8 camcorders low light recording performance. According to SONY''s web site the analog Hi8 camcorders have a 1/4" CCD (320K Gross Pixels) with a "Minimum Illumination: 0.4 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot Infrared System)".
The TRV130 has a 1/4" CCD (460K Gross Pixels) with a "Minimum Illumination: 1 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot Infrared System)".
The TRV230, TRV330, TRV530 all have the smaller 1/6" CCD (460K Gross Pixels) with with a "Minimum Illumination: 4 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot Infrared System)".
The TRV730 and TRV830 both have the 1/4" CCD (1,070k Gross Pixels) with with a "Minimum Illumination: 7 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot Infrared System)".
Overall I''ve been very pleased with TRV130''s build quality, ease of use, and image quality--both SP and LP.
For advance user''s/editing the lack of: Intellegent Accessory Shoe, Mike Input, and no Video/Audio Inputs are the only real drawbacks to the TRV130.
BTW, do not expect "photo quality" still photos -- Camera only has 1/4" 460K Gross Pixels CCD that creates an 640x480 image. Strengths:* Good build quality, picture quality, and features for it''s price.
* 1/4" CCD (460K Gross Pixels) with a Minimum Illumination of 1 Lux.
* Received "Excellent" Rating for Image Stabilization.
* NightShot/ Super NightShot Infrared System. Weaknesses:* No Intellegent Accessory Shoe.
* Mike Input.
* No Video/Audio Inputs Similar Products Used:Old "full" size Panasonic VHS Camcorder. Customer Service:Have not used
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