Sony DCRTRV525 Digital Camcorder

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Although a novice in the domain of home video, this unit has surpassed my expectations! With near total-digital quality, the picture and editing features have been remarkable. Combined with the advanced options to make each video memorable (such as title options, digital effects and picture effects), learning to use the system was both exciting and easy. The added feature of memory-stick digital photographs made this camcorder a bargain - home videos and digital photography in one! The large color viewing screen adds to the overall excellence of this top-of-the-line Sony digital 8 camcorder!

Rating:
Summary: visual decadence and simplicity of use - what a product!
Review: Although a novice in the domain of home video, this unit has surpassed my expectations! With near total-digital quality, the picture and editing features have been remarkable. Combined with the advanced options to make each video memorable (such as title options, digital effects and picture effects), learning to use the system was both exciting and easy. The added feature of memory-stick digital photographs made this camcorder a bargain - home videos and digital photography in one! The large color viewing screen adds to the overall excellence of this top-of-the-line Sony digital 8 camcorder!

Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!
Review: Great product all the way-I bought one of these at the same time Sony announced the new line, and I noticed that none of the new ones have a color viewfinder available. (At least at this price level!) If you want both a Sony, as well as a color viewfinder, this is the way to go. Grab it while you can-wonderful quality all the way, and quite a value as well!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent camcorder!
Review: I bought a TRV-525 in May '01 for a trip to Italy and I have had nothing but good success with this camera. The video output is of an excellent quality, in all sorts of light levels and situations. The built in picture stabiliazion works very well, even when taking video in a moving boat or just walking around. When coupled with a longer life battery, (I bought an 8-hour infoLithium) I was really able to burn through some tapes. Also, I have found a few uses for the 0Lux nightshot that I didn't anticipate ever using.

The still imaging function is okay, although I wish that this model had 1024x768 resolution instead of it's 680x480. The high side is the screen capture function during playback. The only really odd thing about the still picture function is that ou have to switch from video mode to still mode to save pictures to the memory stick--The photo button in video mode only freezes the frame for a few seconds.

The other thing that I found out (later) was that the 16:9 aspect ratio only works if you TV can handle it...otherwise the image gets compressed horizontally (the camera will not output letterbox).

However, all in all, this has been a great video camera.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent camcorder!
Review: I bought a TRV-525 in May '01 for a trip to Italy and I have had nothing but good success with this camera. The video output is of an excellent quality, in all sorts of light levels and situations. The built in picture stabiliazion works very well, even when taking video in a moving boat or just walking around. When coupled with a longer life battery, (I bought an 8-hour infoLithium) I was really able to burn through some tapes. Also, I have found a few uses for the 0Lux nightshot that I didn't anticipate ever using.

The still imaging function is okay, although I wish that this model had 1024x768 resolution instead of it's 680x480. The high side is the screen capture function during playback. The only really odd thing about the still picture function is that ou have to switch from video mode to still mode to save pictures to the memory stick--The photo button in video mode only freezes the frame for a few seconds.

The other thing that I found out (later) was that the 16:9 aspect ratio only works if you TV can handle it...otherwise the image gets compressed horizontally (the camera will not output letterbox).

However, all in all, this has been a great video camera.

Rating:
Summary: Welcome to the digital revolution!
Review: My wife and I spent over an hour studying various digital camcorders at a local retail outlet and were very reluctant about moving into the realm of digital video, especially since neither one of us had even owned a VHS camcorder and both knew very little about modern digital technology. Needless to say that in the few days since our purchase of this model, I am utterly amazed at the wonderful capabilites this camcorder has. Most functions we may never use, but every day I seem to discover something novel with the machine. Plus, I feel it's very intuitive to use. I went from digitally ignorant to a competent video editor in a matter of days! This mid-range Sony camcorder is extremely versatile, capable also of capturing still images (1.3 megapixel). The large viewfinder is a definite plus and is worth the added cost. I highly recommend this product.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Simply amazing. The shear quality of this product is unbelievable. Sony doesn't comment much on the night vision included with the camera. Well let me be the first to say: WOW! Awesome. Most likely the best quality I've ever seen in ANY device equipped with night vision. Pictures online do not do this camcorder justice. Be sure to buy a Hi8 tape too as it doesn't come with one. Again, I recommend this over some of the cheaper products. A+ rating!!!!!