Sony DCRTRV900 MiniDV Handycam Digital Video Camcorder with Builtin Digital Still Mode

I wrote a review after I had decided to purchase the DCR-TRV900 (see "Great for a Mac DV user"). Since then, I've had a few e-mails asking how it works in practice.

I have no trouble capturing video from my TRV900 to my Apple PowerBook G3 "Bronze." What I thought I expected was the size of DV video clips -16GB (yes, gigabytes) for one hour of video with sound. I ordered a 37GB drive, and now have an additional 75GB drive on backorder. Keep that in mind if you decide to do your own video editing on a computer.

I learned that you should record a signal across the entire MiniDV tape before you use it. This makes capturing easier, since unrecorded sections have no timecode, creating a 'new' zero-point for subsequent footage. The TRV900 has a very nice Color Bar feature which is perfect for this basic signal.

I never thought I'd use the flip-out LCD screen. I use it all the time. I did video 15 years ago in high school, and thought I preferred viewfinders. I was wrong. Further, you can flip it all the way around so your subject can see what the camera sees, and kids LOVE this. (The viewfinder starts working when you do this.)

One feature which has provided great entertainment is the Frame Recording. This will record about six frames of video and then pause. Using a tripod and the remote control, you can do a decent job of stop-motion animation.

I bought the 8-hour battery, and it was worth it. The included battery is next to useless for any recreational recording.

Finally, I got the PCMCIA adapter for the Memory Stick. The TRV900 has a PCMCIA slot for recording still images at 640x480 resolution, with varying compression levels, and I've used it a lot. (The progressive scan is always on for this Memory Mode; you can turn it on or off for Camcorder mode if you want video frames you can capture.) I also ended up buying Sony's USB Memory Stick reader so I don't have to remove my Ratoc FireWire card from my PowerBook.

Overall, I'd say this is an excellent camera for someone who wants to do home video editing and enjoys playing with the medium. For me, having fun is a big part of videotaping...this camera is a fun camera.

I used to be a professional photographer, TV news videographer and news producer, so I was weaned on high quality broadcast quality TV pictures from expensive pro equipment. They are sharp, with excellent color and low noise. Consumer camcorders, even digital ones, left me cold. They just didn't cut it compared to the pro gear I had used. That is, until I saw the Sony TRV900.

This baby is really a sleeper. The picture quality from this 3 chip camera is professional quality. The picture is very sharp, digital artifacts are not noticeable, and the picture is amazingly noise free, even in marginal light. (In low light,it's noisy, like all CCD cameras.) Manual controls on almost everything let you tweak the picture as you learn more.

It doesn't look "pro" so it might not impress your friends, until they see the results. And the sound quality is not quite up to the picture quality, at least with the built in mics. But if you want to really do some fine quality videography which could be shown anywhere, even on network TV, this is your best choice.

Buy Sony DCRTRV900 MiniDV Handycam Digital Video Camcorder with Builtin Digital Still Mode Now

I decided to get this camcorder for the better picture (3CCD) and slew of excellent features versus some cheaper models. I have not had reason to regret my choice! I do action photography and have actually been able to capture some stills off it that are quite impressive. Nowhere near as colorful and crisp as my Canon SLR can give me, but quite useable. And without the cost and time of having to take a slew of photos, develop them, print them and scan them in. Don't be fooled by cameras that might offer more than 640x480 resolution...larger pictures don't do you much good if they aren't as good quality! These are almost as good as some digital cameras give you. In fact, I will be selling my digital camera off, as I don't really need it in addition to this camcorder and my regular camera.

The camera is a little larger and heavier than some other digital camcorders, and it does not come with a memory stick included. Instead it includes a floppy disk adapter for capturing stills off your tapes. Neat to have, but not real useful in the field. Be sure you get the PC Card Adapater as well as a memory stick, this camera does not take them directly.

I love the LCD screen, it will flip completely over and lay flat against the side facing out. Really nice for watching playbacks. It gives quite good sound and is nice and bright. The battery life is actually not bad at all, compared to a digital camera! But still worth getting an extended battery. Be careful about getting the highest life ones, they are quite big and heavy.

Controls are pretty well placed and easy to use. I like having things like a neutral density filter turned on with a simple button push. Overall, the useability of this camera is very well-thought out and implemented. If you want a quality camcorder that will last you a long time, this is one of the best for the price you can get.

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...You want it you got it. Excellent picture quality; Sony steady-shot that really works; still-image capture to tape (or extra adapter card+memory stick a must!); bright LCD display; variable audio feedback; IEEE firewire, controls that are easy to reach and are learned-responses for those familiar with previous Sony cams.

Specifically, we use this unit for green-screen compositing of people, environments, and virtual products. The firewire coupled with Adobe Premier is a god-send. Simply said, that is essentially all you need (plus consistent overall lighting in a green-screen environment). G3 or PC firewire will suck it down as fast as anything I've seen.

Positively get the custom aluminum case if you do a lot of travel and want to keep your camera happy. This will keep all your components safe and somewhat easily accessible. Get a 2+ hour battery; the NP-750 battery has plenty of gas surprisingly the LCD does not drain the juice too quickly. A PC transfer card for the memory stick would be nice but you can get away with plugging the IEEE and transferring from memory card or to tape.

The construction and attention to product detail is marvelous. Little rubber covers, positive audio clicks, all the nifty nick-nacks want you to have Sony make your next car. Sure there are a few quirks but there's few products that have such high quality and high value as the TRV900!

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Having a background in commercial television I did not believe that production on that level is possible at this price level. You will be amazed at the quality. I recommend the memory stick for still pictures and you will need the floppy adapter for the computer. Your stills will be outstanding. Couple all this with fire wire capture and a good editing program (Adobe 5.1c) and your finished product will be excellent. The money to step up to this is well spent.