Sony DCRTRV19 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Remote

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Manufacturer: Sony
Price at amazon.com: $599.99
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Features:

• Compact MiniDV digital camcorder
• 10x optical, 120x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• 2.5-inch touch-panel color SwivelScreen LCD display for easy access to the entire camcorder menu
• NightShot O Lux infrared system for recording in total darkness

Product Description:

Although boasting a chassis that is 28 percent smaller and lighter than Sony's previous camcorders, the DCR-TRV19 does not compromise powerful optics and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, 1/4-inch CCD for clean imaging, a 2.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder. Step-up Value Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiates it from the competition. SteadyShot: There's a world of difference between experiences that are moving and the ones that are simply shaky. To encourage the first and prevent the second, Sony invented SteadyShot picture stabilization. It smoothes and steadies your images without degrading picture quality. Sony does it with motion sensors--a more accurate system than many other camcorders on the market. Image Stabilization Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market. Optics The professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures images will be clear and with good contrast. The 1/4-inch CCD sensor records the images accurately in vibrant color and with sharp resolution. The TRV19 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation--while achieving ideal images for the situation. More Features You can also record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV19 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder. The TRV19 features a 2.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV19 into a video-conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer. MiniDV Format MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. Contents This package includes the TRV19 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.
From the Manufacturer The subject here is form factor! The super-compact DCR-TRV19 offers a powerful combination of digital video, digital audio, and USB streaming at an amazing value. And it’s 28-percent smaller than previous MINIDV models with a 1/4" Advanced HAD CCD and a 2-1/2" SwivelScreen LCD. Additional features include the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens and 10X optical/120X digital zoom. Plus, a new touch panel (with included stylus) that makes it a cinch to access the functions of the camcorder. 1/4"... read more

Description from Manufacturer:Although boasting a chassis that is 28 percent smaller and lighter than Sony's previous camcorders, the DCR-TRV19 does not compromise powerful optics and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, 1/4-inch CCD for clean imaging, a 2.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiates it from the competition.

SteadyShot: There's a world of difference between experiences that are moving and the ones that are simply shaky. To encourage the first and prevent the second, Sony invented SteadyShot picture stabilization. It smoothes and steadies your images without degrading picture quality. Sony does it with motion sensors--a more accurate system than many other camcorders on the market.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures images will be clear and with good contrast. The 1/4-inch CCD sensor records the images accurately in vibrant color and with sharp resolution. The TRV19 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation--while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can also record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV19 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

The TRV19 features a 2.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV19 into a video-conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV19 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Sony's Little Wonder! Rating:
The first thing I moticed when taking this camcorder out of the box was it's size. It's soooooo small!! And light weight too...which means for those of us who tire of wighty hand-held video cameras....no problem here. You barely even know it is in your hand. Picture quality is good for a single chip, entry level MiniDV....audio is standard built in stereo mic quality. For a while it was a toss up between this camcorder and the JVC line. But I have always liked what Sony produces...and they always come out ahead in low light tests.
The one thing I am still not 100% comfortable with is the fact the menu is a touch screen on the LCD. I still prefer to have actual buttons...but it does save space on the unit. I have always been one to never touch the LCD screen if I don't have to. Now I have too!! Maybe I will use a dull object to do so. Don't want oils from my skin marring the image on the LCD.
Speaking of the LCD...it is great indoors but outdoors difficult to see the image as well...hoping to be able to compensate with the brightness control.
All the opearting controls are right where they need to be when the camcorder is in your hand. It is comfortable and easy to use...right out of the box...thanks to factory defaults settings. Cost is a bit more than others at this level, but I think in the end it is a good choice.

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Comment: compact sony camcorder - but stills can only be saved to DV Rating:
the trv19 is the lowest priced camcorder in the trv19/22/33 family. still, this is a camcorder that has a very nice feature set.

pros:
- compact design, light weight.
- larger size CCD should provides better low-light performance.
- miniDV media is widely supported.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.
- carl zeiss lens.
- intelligent accessory shoe.
- steady shot and night shot.
- progressive shutter system.
- supports exif 2.2.

cons:
- it would have been nice to get a bigger 3.5" LCD.
- you can only record stills at 640 x 480 on tape; memory stick not supported!
- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.
- black and white viewfinder.
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.

if you're looking for a camcorder and still capability is not important, this camcorder should be on your short list. if you want still capability, skip this camcorder and consider the trv33, pc-105, or the panasonic gs70 (top pick for me).

i myself have a dedicated digital camera to complement my camcorder but i still want still capability of at least 1 megapixel. you just never know when you might need to take a still picture and you've left your digital camera back in the car/hotel room/house. capturing still pics on DV tape just does not cut it unless all you want to do is post it on the web. if you want to print out your picture, you'll be disappointed.

all in all, the trv19 is a nice camcorder. just don't expect it to do what it wasn't designed to. cheers.

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Comment: garbage Rating:
I managed to record all of 2 hours worth of video. Now, it will not load a cassette anymore. It comes up with a C:31:40 error and grinds to a halt. Sony's web site and support are horrible when it comes to fixing this.

I used to be a Sony fan. I bought this thing because of the Sony label. No more. The Sony brand has lost it.

I returned the camera for service, costing $250. I got it back and tested immediately. Same problem occurred after 1 hour of recording.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)