Sony DCR-TRV20 Digital MiniDV Camcorder With Memory Stick

Author's Rating:

Pros: Picture and sound quality, features, looks and size

Cons: Price

The Bottom Line: 
Although not cheap, the TRV20 is a good choice if you demand high quality and willing to pay for it.

Author's Review
The Sony DCR-TRV20 uses MiniDV format as opposed to the line of Sony’s Digital 8 camcorders. MiniDV allows you to hold more video and on a more compact tapes.

The camcorder weighs just 1lb 7oz and looks very nice.

PICTURE

The TRV20 features a resolution of up to 520 lines (other digital video sources like DVD players and DBS offer similar resolution), higher color bandwidth (Sony claims three times higher than VHS) and virtually no video noise, since the signal is stored in the digital format.

The picture is very sharp and clear. You have 10x optical/120x digital zoom, the camera also uses Carl Zeiss lens for better picture quality, special coating reduces glare and increases contrast.

MiniDV

The camcorder uses MiniDV format. These tapes can be used in the LP mode for increased capacity without compromising the picture quality – since the data is stored in the digital format. The tape loading mechanism is quite fragile and you can accidentally bend something if you press it in the wrong place, so it pay attention to pressing in the right place while loading a cassette. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.

ADC

The TRV20 has an ADC (analog-digital converter) that converts an analog signal you pass through the analog input, so you can either record it on the MiniDV tape in digital format (for archiving purposes) or send it through the IEEE-1394 (i.Link) interface to your computer, i.Link-equipped VCR or another device.

SOUND

The camcorder uses the Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes (you can select the mode through the menu). This allows for a dynamic range of more than 96dB, since audio is stored separately you can use Audio Dubbing mode that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration. The sound quality does not deteriorate over time and there is no “background” noise introduced by the medium itself, as happens in case with analog recording.

CONTROL INTERFACES

The L (LANC) Editing Interface provides standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, VCR, and edit controller. The camcorder also has an I.Link® Digital Interface (FireWire, IEEE1394), which is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible edit controllers, computers and digital VCRs.

The camcorder also has the built-in Super Laser Link® Wireless Transmitter, which uses infrared light to make a wireless connection from the camcorder to your television up to 26 feet away. You can buy a receiver (IFT-R20) and connect your camcorder wirelessly to the TV or other equipment. Some Sony TV models will even switch to the appropriate channel when signal from the IFT-R20 is received.

Memory Stick

You can use the TRV20 as a digital still camera, for which you can use a supplied 4Mb Memory Stick. The resolution is 1152x864.

LCD

The camcorder has a 3.5" 246,000-pixel LCD in addition to the 180,000 pixel color viewfinder. The picture on the LCD is visible even in sunlight and you can control brightness and color through the switches on the LCD and the menu.

FEATURES

You get a high-resolution 1,070,000-pixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD (the high resolution increases the picture quality) with low noise design. It has 7 modes program AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones. Manual focus is controlled by the ring, which also looks cool. You can switch between manual and automatic focus using a switch on the left side of the camcorder (by LCD), it also has a position for “infinity” focus.

The camcorder features a Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. The TRV20 has 14 picture effects (4 of them digital), 5 A/V fader modes, 16:9 widescreen recording and 20-segment assemble editing.

The digital and picture effects can be used independently (some of them can be combined). The cool A/V fader modes I like include “dot” and “bounce”. You can also manually adjust (if you want, otherwise it’s automatic) shutter speed and exposure.

The 2x playback zoom allows you to zoom in during the playback (but it’s cumbersome to use). You can also shoot in total darkness with Sony’s Super NightShot™, which enables you to shoot subjects up to 10 feet away. The system uses a built-in infrared light; the optional IR light can extend the range to up to 100 feet.

There is a built-in speaker (you can control the volume with a rocker switch) and intelligent accessory shoe, which accepts accessories ranging from lights, IR lights and photo printers to microphones that “zoom” with the camcorder.

VCR

The VCR mode allows you to see your material. When you switch to it, the VCR buttons appear on the upper black panel, backlit by the amber light (they are invisible in other modes). In “camera” mode you can use “Edit Search” to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use “End Search” button, located under the LCD to find the end of your last recording.

POWER SOURCE

The TRV20 uses Sony’s InfoLithium® battery, which has large capacity with no "memory effect". You can always see the approximate remaining power: AccuPower™ meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder, and this estimate is very accurate. The Stamina® Power Management that power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use – you can shoot for up to 8 hours with an optional NP-FM91 battery.

The backlit LCD on the outer side of the 3.5” color LCD shows the remaining battery power in minutes while charging and tape counter when operating VCR.

Although not cheap, the TRV20 is a good choice if you demand high quality and willing to pay for it.