The average camcorder shopping spree these days will reveal to the potential purchaser a choice of three Hi-8 analog models...The Samsung SC-L906 {which I have recently reviewed}, The Sony CCDTRV-328 and the fine camcorder for review here...the
Sony CCDTRV-128 model. The main attraction to these Hi-8 types other than their high performance is their extremely low price tags!
Sony's Handycam line dates back to the late 80's when the camcorder first arrived on the scene. While other outfits were offering rather large VHS models to help us capture great memories, Sony chose a different route. The company invented the 8mm format which offered a superior picture and sound while maintaining a relatively low profile camcorder that was so much easier to lug around.
As time went by, Sony improved upon the already high performance of 8mm with the introduction of the Hi-8 format. It was and still is so good that many television stations would use these small camcorders for reporting "at the scene" news items.
The format since its introduction has enjoyed much popularity and many Hi-8 owners simply refuse to surrender their great little cams despite the overwhelming popularity of the Mini-DV format. The very fact that some of these Hi-8 owners cling to said cameras despite having purchased a Mini-DV model only adds to the reality that the format is still very much alive and well ! A currently lower price tag and excellent optics such as those in the
Sony CCD-TRV128 make it easy to understand why.
From The Manufacturer's Own Mouth:
"With the Sony CCD-TRV128 Hi8™ Handycam? camcorder, you get most of the high-end features you would expect from a top of the line camcorder at an unbelievably low price...$249.99!
Saving treasured moments should never cost a fortune. With the Sony CCD-TRV128 Hi8™ Handycam? camcorder, you get most of the high-end features you would expect from a top-of-the-line camcorder, such as a 2.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD display, a huge 20X optical zoom and NightShot? Plus infrared recording system, all for an unbelievably low price. It even includes the new Easy Handycam feature, which automates most of the camcorder's processes and makes videotaping a snap.
NightShot? Plus Infrared System
Battery Information
Stamina? Power
Easy Handycam Button
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Video Hi8™ Recording
Records outstanding video quality up to 400 lines of horizontal resolution with Hi-Fi sound on affordable Hi8 and 8mm tapes.
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1/6 CCD Imager, 320K Pixels Gross
1/6 CCD imager with 200K (effective) pixels provides great detail and clarity, with exceptional analog video performance.
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20X Optical/990X Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action up close from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
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2.5 SwivelScreen™ LCD Display (123K Pixels)
Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high-resolution 123K pixels LCD rotates up to 270-degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp detailed images for monitoring or playback.
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InfoLithium? Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System
Charge the battery at any time because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening memory effect. Sony's exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes in the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
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Easy Dubbing
Connect the Handycam camcorder to a VCR deck to make VHS copies of your home videos quickly and easily. The camcorder will control up to 59 brands of VCRs.
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Multi-Language Menu
Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese (simplified) or Korean.
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Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes
Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight, Sunset & Moon modes.
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Picture Effects
Get creative when recording or playing back videos with Sony's Picture Effect modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone, Solarize, Slim, Stretch, Pastel and Mosaic. Effects available in Playback mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Black & White and Solarize.
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End Search
Advances the video tape to the last 5 seconds of the recorded scene. This prevents accidentally recording over previous recorded videos.
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Fader Effects
Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black, Mosaic, White, Monotone and Stripe.
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Titling
Add professional looking titles to your videos, select from 8 preset or 2 customized titles with up to 22 characters.
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Built-In White LED Light
Brightens your videos when shooting in low light with low power consumption.
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Manual Focus
Allows the user to determine the focus of their choosing by adjusting the cameras focus ring allowing more creativity and/or effects. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the cameras focus in difficult situations where either the subject or environment does not allow the cameras auto-focus to perform at an optimal level." Although I consider myself the "king of cheap", it does not mean that I will settle for inferior quality video. I have a sizable family to support and making purchasing decisions requires that my wife and I take the extra measure toward finding the proverbial "bargain".
Also, be it known that
I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS CAMCORDER but heavily weighed options and features when it was time to actually make a purchase! I personally chose the competing Samsung SC-L906 model. Please see my review...
http://www.epinions.com/content_147305893508 There were two basic reasons for my decision. One being that the store where I made my Samsung purchase was considerably closer to me than the nearest Sony dealer. The other reason was that the Samsung was $229 while the Sony was $249 at that time. Yes, indeed I was trying to eek out every last dollar!
There were also a couple of other reasons for my decision. For one, the Samsung SC-L906 has
Image Stabilization. The Sony CCD-TRV128 DOES NOT!!! The other being that Samsung aftermarket batteries are usually pretty cheap compared to the Sonys.
Of these two reasons perhaps the first carries more weight!
Image Stabilization can be quite a useful tool during scene shooting rendering stable clear shaky-free colorful videos...even without the use of a tripod. Here is where you must be the judge of what's best for you and not ole Petey boy!
To be honest with you, if the Sony were available at the store where I made my purchase and the Samsung was not, I would have had no problem selecting the
CCD-TRV128. It is simply that good!
Although I did not purchase the Sony, I certainly did "kick the tires" a bit! Yes, I am quite familiar with the Sony and have drawn my own conclusions in reference to this first rate high quality camcorder. This camera has a great feel!
The
Optics of the camera are quite good with an excellent
Main Lens and quick reacting
Auto-Focus. The zoom is way more than adequate but let's speak of the somewhat awkward control itself. You may not like it!
Instead of the classic two-finger "rocker" type, here Sony opted for the less expensive "spring wheel" type of
Zoom Control. The tiny device may be a bit difficult to operate smoothly at times but if you leave enough slack in the
hand strap you will probably not encounter too much difficulty while operating the two-speed device.
Here, there is no substitute for "hands on" experience with the control and you should most definitely give it a try before making your purchase. The Samsung SC-L906 boasts the same control and there is absolutely no appreciable difference between the two models in this respect...all the way to the left for extreme wide-angle viewing while the extreme right renders a telephoto effect.
The cam's
Low Light performance is good if not great but like my former best selling CCD-TRV66 model...will exhibit some grain and picture noise. The
built-in Video Light is a great idea and will nicely aid low light shooting but do not expect it to render perfect noise-free picture quality on playback. The size of the room and amount of available light will also affect this particular situation. Also keep in mind that engaging the light itself will drain the 90-120 min. battery quicker than the excellent wonderful built-in adjustable
2.5" LCD color monitor. While on the subject, the supplied
Lithium-Ion battery is excellent and can be recharged right on the camcorder for easy rejuvenation. Sony's
Info-Lithium System is better than the more commonly found "Fuel Gauge" types rendering up-to-the-minute battery status. The newer Sony model uses the 2.5" color LCD to monitor
Battery Charging as opposed to the former little separate LCD panel that lit as soon as you would plug in the well made AC adapter cord.
Battery charging of the supplied Lithium Ion battery is typically performed in half the rated battery time. This is wonderful! If you need more battery time, extra more powerful batteries can be purchased at added expense of course!
Daylight Shooting is superb under most conditions and the range of
Special Effects is quite good while offering a little bit more than just regular
Fading with a few special fade effects that the Samsung does not incorporate.
The
"Easy" Button offers a quick basic setup of the camcorder for convenient first time use. The novice videographer will appreciate this feature while the pro will endear the simple
Custom Settings option that the cam offers.
White Balance can be tailored for optimum color performance and elimination of any "color washout" characteristics.
Like the competing Samsung model, Sony uses the
A/V Mini Plug patch cord for
"Playback" purposes. It can be both convenient but damning also! This is an extremely important item to consider when purchasing a camcorder. While this type of patch cord eliminates separate multi-colored RCA plugs, it may not be ideal for viewing on all systems.
My experience with this type of patch is that the mini-plug itself is susceptible to interference and requires ocassional alcohol cleaning. I have also found that while the adapter works well on certain newer vcr's and tv's, it can produce some pretty poor results on older models. In my situation...the adapter renders poor results on my older Radio Shack 13" monitor while revealing spectacular performance on my newer Toshiba flat 20' model that boasts a built-in VHS vcr. An
S-Video Out jack is supplied but you will have to purchase your own patch cord for this type of connection to your tv or vcr. It may well prove to be a superior method of hookup.
What happens on some older sets is that red colors look orange and the video picture takes on a grainy wavy noisy characteristic.
SO PLEASE BEWARE OF THIS BEFORE YOU BUY! Why Sony and Samsung do not feature "hi-fi stereo" for their Hi-8 cameras I just don't know! What extra cost would it be to have the stereo tracks as opposed to hi-fi mono? I used to love the amazing separation I received from the twin mics buit into my old Sony CCD-TRV66 camcorder! On the bright side, you do get very good hi-fi monaural sound with the Sony although the samsung model boasts a wider range microphone.
Tape Loading is smooth and precise just as it is on the Samsung. Use high quality Sony tape if you can but Maxell's XR tape along with TDK's and Fuji's should be just fine!
Also, do not forget to purchase an inexpensive
UV Filter/Lens Protector that easily screws onto the Main Lens's threads. This minor investment will eliminate some waviness on hot hazy humid days and protect the more expensive main lens to boot. See these reviews...
http://www.epinions.com/content_178649009796 http://www.epinions.com/content_116957023876 Sony does offer the
Nightshot feature on this cam while Samsung does not on its 906 model. This was of absolutely no consequence to me but perhaps it is more important to you.
The 100-page
Owner's Manual is extremely illustrative and well written and should prove to be an invaluable source of information to the owner.
All-in-all the camera is very easy to operate and should be an excellent buy for either the semi-pro like myself or the novice. I obviously have not quite covered all of the cam's features but believe I have conveyed the camcorder's excellent basic performance. Obviously, the
Special Effects will undoubtedly add to the user's enjoyment while the superb picture quality will result in years of wonderful memories for many of you on a budget not unlike myself.
Overall, the
Sony CCD-TRV128 Hi-8 Camcorder follows in the footsteps of classic Sony Hi-8 models and offers amazing performance {like the Samsung SC-L906} at its very reasonable asking price. Hi-8 owners who have lost or sold their old cams will love the fact that THEY CAN NOW enjoy their old 8mm movies again at such a low cost!
With the holidays just around the corner, the
Sony CCD-TRV128 Camcorder should prove to be the perfect gift for many people! The Samsung SC-L906 is equally impressive. Just remember that the most important difference between the two models is that the Samsung has
Image Stabilization whereas the Sony DOES NOT! If you do purchase the Sony, make sure you have a tripod for professional shooting.
Cosmetically speaking...The Sony has a darker more sleek appearance. The Samsung sports the more traditional silver box-like approach. Both are great looking and have an excellent feel.
Some of you will undoubtedly choose the Sony over the competing Samsung just because of "name" alone. Keep an open mind but if you do opt for a Sony, you may want to consider the CCD-TRV328 model which is precisely the same as the 128 model only with the added bonus of "Image Stabilization". Then again, the 328 is about $30 more and that puts it in the lower priced Mini-DV bracket. At any rate, you cannot lose with either model! Hi-8 is still great!!
