Sony DCRTRV22 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder und Memory Stick Capability

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Manufacturer: Sony
Price at amazon.com: $699.99
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
• Includes 8 MB Memory Stick for still image and MPEG1 capture
• NightShot O Lux infrared system with color mode for recording in total darkness

Product Description:

With a size that is 28 percent smaller and lighter than Sony's previous camcorders, the DCR-TRV22 does not compromise powerful optics and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 1/4-inch CCD for clean imaging, a 2.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, a color viewfinder, and an 8 MB Memory Stick for still image capture. Step-up Value Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiates it from other models in the Sony lineup. MPEG Movie Mode: Originally found on step-up Sony Digital Still Cameras, Sony presents another camcorder first--MPEG Movie Mode for select Handycam Camcorders. Capture MPEG digital video and store it directly to your Memory Stick Media. Movie length ranges from 5 seconds to the length allowed by the capacity of your memory stick with MPEG Movie EX. Take the "Best Of" scene recorded on video tape, for example--the groom kissing the bride on the wedding day, convert it to an MPEG Movie and share it with family and friends via the Internet. 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 light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The 1/4-inch CCD sensor yields a gross 680,000 pixels and records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV22 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 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. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue. Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV22 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 TRV22 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. You can take digital stills and record small MPEG1 movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV22 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 a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. Contents This package includes the TRV22 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.

Description from Manufacturer:With a size that is 28 percent smaller and lighter than Sony's previous camcorders, the DCR-TRV22 does not compromise powerful optics and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 1/4-inch CCD for clean imaging, a 2.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, a color viewfinder, and an 8 MB Memory Stick for still image capture.

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

MPEG Movie Mode: Originally found on step-up Sony Digital Still Cameras, Sony presents another camcorder first--MPEG Movie Mode for select Handycam Camcorders. Capture MPEG digital video and store it directly to your Memory Stick Media. Movie length ranges from 5 seconds to the length allowed by the capacity of your memory stick with MPEG Movie EX. Take the "Best Of" scene recorded on video tape, for example--the groom kissing the bride on the wedding day, convert it to an MPEG Movie and share it with family and friends via the Internet.

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 light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The 1/4-inch CCD sensor yields a gross 680,000 pixels and records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV22 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 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. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV22 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 TRV22 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. You can take digital stills and record small MPEG1 movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV22 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 a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV22 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Does what you need and does it well..Great camera, I love it Rating:
Pros: Compact and lightweight; spot metering with selectable spot area; flexible low-light features.

Cons: Hard to see LCD in daylight; fairly narrow-angle lens; bottom-loading tapes; no wind filter.

Summary: I purchased this camera immediately after returning a Canon ZR65MC. The problems I had with that camera were very poor quality video under normal indoor lighting conditions. With that experience fresh in mind, I tested the TRV-22 under the same conditions and found the results that I would expect from any decent digital camcorder: crisp, low-noise images far superior to those of the Canon. So to compare the two, I think the extra $90 I paid for the Sony is well worth it. I then took the camera on a mini-vacation, which is a more realistic test. I found the camera extremely easy to use - every family member was able to pick it up and start recording with no explanation. I took some video under poor lighting conditions, such as indoors on a cloudy day with a bay window as a backlight, and was very surprised later when I reviewed the footage and found that it was pretty good despite that. The final test was to capture the video to my PC using the IEEE-1394 interface. The video was captured flawlessly andthe resultant AVI is as sharp as any I've seen. To sum it up, I think I got my money's worth and then some with this camera. A digital camcorder should provide a high quality image, and this camera is the best I've ever owned. Add to that the abundance of cool features and you can't go wrong. The ONLY thing negative I can say is that the still image resolution is too low to replace a dedicated DSC. But unless you want to cough up a few more bucks for the TRV-33, you'll just have to carry two cameras like I do.

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Comment: A Worthwhile Investment Rating:
I too read reviews of various camcorder features, brands, prices before making my first purchase. The decision boiled down to either the Canon ZR series or the Sony TRV19 or TRV22. I decided to try the Canon ZR60 due to the significant difference in price. I read about its low light performance but thought I'd give it a try. My kids play sports at school. It was swim season so the first video footage was indoors under pool lighting. The video was horrible...unbelievably grainy...outdoor video was very good but I wanted a camera that would be high quality in both settings, indoor and out, so the ZR60 was returned. I then leaned toward the Sony TRV19 but decided to spend the extra $100 for the analogue to digital conversion capability, well worth the extra money in my opinion as we have many old VHS movies of the kids that can now be made into DVD. The Sony TRV22 is an exceptional mini dv...video inside and out is great. There is noticeable wind noise but only on very windy days but this can be altered when making a DVD. Have made many DVDs using Pinnacle software - they came out great. As others have mentioned, the still camera capability is poor - I wish they added more onto the optical zoom instead of adding the still capability. I find the touch screen very easy to use. Overall this is a wonderful, easy to use camera that fits in the palm of your hand, can plug directly into the TV to watch or can be made into a DVD to watch for years to come.

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Comment: Bought DCR-HC40 and the DCR-TRV22, comparison. Rating:
I orginally bought the DCR-HC40, which is the 2004 version from Sony. The HC40 has much better specs and is 25% smaller, which is significant.

I actually loved the size of the HC40, although it was a little difficult to get a firm grip on as the middle fingers have no where to lock onto. The HC40 does a good job during the day and I didn't notice and problems. The touch screen was washed out but still usable for the menu during the day in sunlight.

The major problem I had with the HC40 was in low light. By low light I mean a typical living room lit by normal lighting at night. I tried to take video in the living room at night lit by a florescent tube about 16 inches long torchere. The light is comparable to a 100 watt light pointed at the ceiling. The vide it recorded was extremly grainy and had many blue "sparkles" of grain. You could see the picture but it was not pleasing or good at all. Changing to night shot or color slow shutter would brighten it but still not make it pleasing. Slow shutter blurred movement too much. Night shot turned colors greenish. I do not recomend this camera for filming indoor at night. Yes, you can use a video light, but most people find a bright light in thier face anoying, and you can't get candid moments. Seriously teh HC40 is good for daytime, but bad for nighttime even indoor with normal lighting.

I then tried the TRV22 in the same low light. It did much much better. The video was still grainy, but you had to look for it. My fiance didn't see the grain, but she sure did with the HC40. She said the TRV22 looked professional. The TRV22 produces good results at night in normal indoor lighting. It is a much better choice then the HC40 for nighttime. During the day, they both are good.

The TRV22 also has edge you can grip better with your middle fingers, so it is easier to hold and more comfortable to use. The grip on the HC40 makes it difficult to use.

The HC40 and the new Sonys have a Easy mode. All that does is make the on screen buttons bigger and doesn't let you do most things. So to do the same thing on the TRV22, just don't press any buttons and leave it in automatic mode, which does great.

As for photo capability, both make very very grainy pictures at night or indoors at night with normal lighting. Both will take a OK picture outside during good sunlight. The HC has better resolution. But you are better getting a cheap small digital camera then either of these.

You may wonder about the TRV33, well it is higher resolution, but does worse in low light then the TRV22.

Also as of May 2004 you can find the TRV22 for four hundred thirty at BH photo video.

Price aside I think the TRV22 is better as sooner or later most people will film at night indoors. The features are almost the same, but the video at night is much much better on the TRV22.

Both myeself and my fiance are happier with the TRV22.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)