Sony CCDTRV57 8mm Camcorder Editorial Review: Your choice for a more action packed way to enter into Sony's AV world. The CCD-TRV57 models not only come with what you've come to expect from Sony's Handycam Vision series: 2.5" LCD screen, NightShot (for 0 lux shooting), 8 picture effects, super digital noise reduction, advanced titler and InfoLITHIUM battery, STAMINA power management system, 80x digital and remote commander. Also unique are Steady Shot, 380k CCD system and a built-in light meaning you can always get clear, rock-solid images, no matter how wild the conditions. So get into the thick of it, and be sure your Sony will keep a steady hand.
Customer Reviews: Not Bad Picture quality is good, loud & sensitive mono sound, easy and not too heavy (about 2 lbs with battery), not too big size for travelling (about 4.5 x 5 x 11 inches). STANDARD BATTERY that came with this camera works 2 hours for B&W viewfinder recording 50 minutes with color LCD recording. If you play black a lot on the LCD (I like to do that), this battery will last about 30 minutes, charging time is about 1 hour. Option batteries are available, and I think I should have one.
Night shot and super night shot movies is just like in a horror movies, every things look faded-green or B&W and people has silver eyes, well, at least I can see the objects (I shot in total darkness). The battery consuming is higher with the night shorts. By the way that tiny built-in light is useless. Remote seems to be useful for the play back only, hardly used at all. I love the multivotage adapter that came with the camera, I wish Sony adds the PAL playback too incase of travelling to Europe and Asia (Hitachi has this feature).
Photo effects are not very useful but programe AE are good and easy, however the icons of programe AE are very tiny, quite difficult to figure out what programes am I on (my eyes are getting old). Every one looks good on that small color LCD, however in the strong day light it is very difficult to see that screen, the manual recommend to use the B&W viewfinder instead. Multilanguage titles with custom setting options.
If you live a hi-tech life, do not buy this cam. because the output is only A/V (2 jacks), no s-video connection, so it's not working with my TV-video capture card in the computer (I use Avermedia product), I heard that it might work on pinnacle system, but did not try it yet. I think I might be able to connect it through the VCR which has A/V connector and can be connected to my TV card, however this attempt hasn't been succesful.
The accesories price are quite expensive (i.e. separate battery chargers, spare batteries, filters, car battery adapter) espectially if you buy them direct from sony....
Exceeds expectations I just received this today and I'm very excited about this camera. It comes complete with bag (in primary colors), strap for camera, A/V cable, remote, batteries for remote, AC adaptor, and rechargable battery pack. Only thing you need to buy is the 8mm tape. Well worth the money considering you don't have to buy the extras. This camera will help make some memorable holiday moments last forever.
Excellent Video Camera w/ lots of extras! I bought this camcorder back in July and I have enjoyed it ever since. I have taken a lot of footage of skateboarding in my area and such. All I need to do is find a cheap fish-eye lens, and some cables to go to my PC. Can anyone help me find the right cable for this camera to a PC? Thanks. Joelizlar@mediaone.net
No Brainer I'll keep this short and sweet. What a great camera! The price is right for this Sony model. It has all the features you'd want and a low price. First and foremost, the image and sound quality are very good. The swivel LCD is incredibly convenient, the image stabilization is great, and the night-shot is a great add-on.
Frankly, for the average consumer who needs a good camera at a good price, this is the perfect product!
A GREAT purchase! This is a very good camcorder! You really can't go wrong with this one. Its very easy to use and no setup is required. The batteries last forever (well maybe not forever) and you can get alot done with out having to recharge. It has a wonderful steady shot feature which removes some of the shaking your hands make when you are shooting. It also has other great features. It has a 20x optical zoom (the lens actually moving) and a 360x digital zoom (the camera enlarging the picture), It is Control-L (LANC)compatible (which is similar to Panasonics 5-pin control system), so you can edit directly from the camcorder (if you plan on using a computer to edit), an LCD is attached to the side (you know, the screen that pops out), but it also has one of Sony's best features, the 0 LUX Nightshot. This enables you to film in TOTAL darkness. Its a wonderful feature. This camera is alot of fun, its light weight, and has rather good quality (but is nothing compared to MiniDV or Digital8). If you want a good 8mm camera, and don't want to sell the farm, this is it. If you want really good quality and want to edit on your new iMac, get a MiniDV camera or a Digital8. Keep in mind, you can still edit on a computer using a video capture card (a new one is comming out soon from 3dfx www.3dfx.com). So this is a purchase you shall benefit from. I STRONGLY suggest this purchase.
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