Sony DCR-TRV50 1.5-Megapixel MiniDV Digital Camcoder With USB, MemoryStick And Bluetooth Decease

Author's Rating:

Pros: Picture quality, features, design, 1.5-Megapixel CCD, USB, analog inputs

Cons: Price.

The Bottom Line: 
At a little less than $1500, the TRV50 is not cheap. If you need the things like 1.5-Megapixel CCD and a 3.5 touch-screen LCD...

Author's Review
The Sony DCR-TRV50 is a MiniDV digital camcorder with 1.5-Megapixel CCD for up to 1360x1020 still resolution and a 3.5” LCD touch-panel screen.

MEDIA

This model uses MiniDV tapes and performs recording in DV digital format. Digital DV format has several advantages over recording in consumer-grade analog formats like Hi8/8mm or VHS-C:

1. No analog noise or loss of resolution is introduced by the media itself and while transferring to another device.
2. Because of this, the copies have the same quality as original (if the copy is made using digital connection – i.Link/FireWire/IEEE 1394).
3. The horizontal resolution is higher than in consumer-grade analog standards.
4. Data Code is recorded separately from the picture and is useful for searching/editing.
5. Digital format video is easy to transfer to your computer, easy to convert and edit.

MiniDV also has much larger acceptance base than the Digital8; MiniDV tapes are smaller than D/Hi8 or VHS-C.

PICTURE QUALITY

The DCR-TRV50 produces excellent picture quality in both video and digital still modes through the use of a CCD with 1.5-Megapixel resolution and Carl Zeiss optics. The picture is sharp and clear with vivid colors when there is enough light. However, in low-light conditions, the camcorder produces picture that is either lacking in color or noisy, depending on the Program AE setting or manual exposure setting.

ZOOM & OPTICS

As other members of the latest MiniDV family from Sony, this model features 10x optical/120x digital zoom and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens for improved picture quality (the special coating reduces glare and increases contrast). The 1.5-Megapixel CCD helps improve picture quality at high zoom levels. The camcorder has Super SteadyShot system can for image stabilization to eliminate unwanted picture shake.

SOUND

The TRV50 has a built-in stereo microphone and uses Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) technology (16-bit PCM is also used in CD recording) with 12-Bit or 16-Bit mode. Audio is stored separately from video and you can use Audio Dubbing (in 12-bit SP mode) that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration.

CONNECTIVITY

The camcorder features an A/V out and input (including S-Video), LANC Editing Interface (standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, edit controller and VCR), an i.Link® Digital Interface (also known as FireWire, IEEE1394 - a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible digital VCRs, edit controllers, computers or another digital camcorder).

You can edit your video if you have a computer equipped with a FireWire interface and software. You can transfer your video form the camcorder to your computer (lots of hard drive space will be required) and edit/convert it, as well as control the camcorder from your editing program.

In case you have a PC that doesn’t have them, the Pinnacle Systems’ Studio DV is available for less than $90 and includes a 3-port FireWire PCI card, a cable and editing software. Once again, make sure you have at least 10 Gb free on your hard drive if you want to edit your video on your computer.

ANALOG-DIGITAL CONVERSION & PASS-THROUGH

The camcorder has an analog-digital converter (ADC) that converts an analog signal you pass through the analog input (analog stereo audio plus either composite video or S-Video) into digital form. This way you can record it on the MiniDV tape in digital format for archiving or send it through the FireWire (i.Link) interface to your computer, compatible VCR or another device (analog-digital pass-through) for editing.

This allows you edit your video or make a DVD or Video CD recording of virtually any video signal – be it analog or digital. You can record it on a DVD if you have a DVD-Recorder (expensive toy!) or make a VideoCD using a CD-R/W drive.

You can also make XVCD (eXtended Video CD) if your DVD player plays them (like my Panasonic RV31) at up to 720x480 resolution and higher-than-VCD bit rates (I use up to 2500 Kbps) if you use TMPEGEnc and some voodoo magic from VCDHelp.com.

LCD

This camcorder has a large 3.5” LCD with 246,000-pixel resolution, which has adjustable brightness, backlight and color. The LCD has great visibility in sunlight and the color viewfinder can be used to conserve battery power when you don’t need the convenience of the LCD. The supplied stylus allows you control menus more intuitively.

MODE SWITCH

The camcorder can be in on of the following modes: VCR, OFF (charge), camera and memory. The VCR mode allows you see your material and transfer it to another device. The VCR control buttons are located under the LCD; to access them, the LCD has to be open.

Camera mode allows you shoot video on the tape. In this mode you can use “Edit Search” to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use “End Search” button to find the end of your last recording (located on top of the camcorder).

“Memory” mode refers to MemoryStick operation. You can snap digital still pictures at 1360x1020 as well as 640x480 resolution in “Memory” mode and store them on the MemoryStick using a button located on top of the camcorder as well as record short MPEG video clips of questionable quality but small size.

Majority of camcorder functions can be controlled by the supplied remote control.

WEBCAM

The camcorder can also act as a webcam through the USB connection so you can use it with Microsoft NetMeeting.

FEATURES

Features include 7 modes of AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones (the manual focus is controlled by the ring around the lens), adjustable shutter speed.

The manual exposure can help you avoid overexposure (as well as video noise in low-light scenes). The TRV50 has picture effects and digital effects, several A/V fader modes as well as 16:9 widescreen recording.

You can shoot in the dark with Sony’s NightShot and Super NightShot™ modes. The NightShot works in complete darkness detecting infra-red light, the latter improves the brightness of the picture and uses lower shutter speed. The built-in IR light can be turned on for clearer picture up to 10 feet away. With IR light on, the objects close by look as if you shine a small light in the middle of the frame/picture.

REMOTE

The remote control is supplied and gives you access to advanced VCR functions as well as shooting functions.

MEMORY STICK

The digital still pictures can be stored on a supplied 8Mb Memory Stick, which simplifies access. The camcorder has a pop-up built-in flash. You can use the supplied USB cable and software to transfer images to your PC, edit and store/catalog them.

Larger MemoryStick can be purchased separately. The MemoryStick can also store short MPEG clips at two resolutions (320x240 – up to 1 min 20 sec; 160x120 – up to 5 min 20 sec) – the quality is questionable for normal use but size is perfect for emailing.

BATTERY

The camcorder uses an InfoLithium® battery, which lasts less than one hour if you use the LCD. You can conserve the energy by using the color viewfinder instead or getting a battery of the larger capacity.

The AccuPower™ feature shows the approximate remaining power in minutes on the camcorder's LCD screen or viewfinder. The Stamina® Power Management lowers power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use.

BLUETOOTH

The TRV50 features Bluetooth - a rare and exotic decease that causes your teeth to turn blue. Very strange for a reputable manufacturer like Sony, especially considering the fact that this technology costs extra.

Seriously speaking, Bluetooth allows you browse the web on your camcorder without having a computer and without being attached to the phone outlet. You can get this functionality if you get an optional dialup adapter (that is attached to the phone outlet) and service. The connection is slow (limited by dialup connection) and the memory size is limited so some pages might not load at all

BOTTOM LINE

At a little less than $1500, the TRV50 is not cheap. If you need the things like 1.5-Megapixel CCD and a 3.5” touch-screen LCD, it is a good choice, otherwise check out TRV25.