Sony TRV900chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Commenters note the TRV900's CCDs gave near-broadcast quality video under good lighting and notably better low-light sensitivity than the VX1000. One user still considers the footage solid even compared to modern 4K expectations.

@irondiver2034

There are several reasons why they were so expensive.\nThis little camcorder under good lighting outside or proper studio lighting inside could output near broadcast quality video for the 90s.\nThe ability to plug into your Mac or PC thru FireWire or ilink and ingest the footage. Then edit in on an NLE was mind blowing.launch

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April 18, 2024

@Samtagri

For all the people that whine about 4K. The footage from this ancient camera ain't too shabby.launch

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March 30, 2017

@DrCassette

@hansoloLDZ \r\nThe TRV900 does have CCDs that do have a slighly higher resolution than the VX1000. The TRV lens is smaller meaning the quality might not be better, but theoretically it is. The low light sensitivity is a billion times better. I already mentioned that elsewhere, the VX has 4 mic elements, the TRV has only 2. So that's not a fair comparison. If the TRV had the same mic setup, it would be better, as the TRV supports 16bit sound recording (the VX can only do 12bit).launch

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January 22, 2012

Multiple users recall transferring footage via FireWire/i.LINK into Mac or PC editing software, calling the workflow impressive for the time and still usable today with tools like ffmpeg.

@Iglum

I love this camera. Using it as a webcam even. I record into a hdd the Sony HVR-DR60 hdd i like to save my tapes. Then i use ffmpeg to encode the video file into something more modern.launch

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August 30, 2025

@irondiver2034

There are several reasons why they were so expensive.\nThis little camcorder under good lighting outside or proper studio lighting inside could output near broadcast quality video for the 90s.\nThe ability to plug into your Mac or PC thru FireWire or ilink and ingest the footage. Then edit in on an NLE was mind blowing.launch

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April 18, 2024

@epicchris1985

Its 2019 and I just purchased this camcorder! I’m truly looking forward to filming like a pro! 😂 I’ve got loads of DV cameras and Sony DV deck to my iMac so all good to edit easy too 🤗launch

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June 12, 2019

Commenters note the TRV900 and TRV950 remain popular and valuable today, with some users still actively shooting with it decades later and recalling great memories of using it for documentaries and personal projects.

@onocoffee

I used this camera to shoot a documentary in 1999. Great camera. Enjoy it!launch

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February 11, 2024

@DrCassette

@vwestlife \r\nWhen it comes to the layout, design and the features, I think Sony hasn't made a camcorder as good as the TRV900 ever since. The TRV950 already was a step backwards, as it had more pixels on smaller CCDs (meaning it was not as good in low light as the TRV900), it had a digital steadyshot instead of the optical steadyshot and a much more complicated and therefore certainly less reliable mechanism.launch

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January 22, 2012

@vwestlife

The TRV900 (and the later TRV950) still are very popular and valuable today. It was basically the huge, bulky VX1000 repackaged into a much smaller and lighter Handycam size. The slot the floppy disk or Memory Stick adapter goes into is known as a PCMCIA (or \"PC Card\") card, and is commonly used in laptop computers.launch

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January 22, 2012

Users highlight the fully articulating LCD, viewfinder, and headphone jack for checking audio levels, features some say are missing even from pricier modern cameras. The director's kit bundling a lav mic and headphones was seen as genuinely useful for learning filmmakers.

@FlorianFahrenberger

I know this is meant to be ironic, and yes, the tripod is silly and the fact that there is no camera included and mostly vouchers is weird. But honestly: The kit contains two things that many young filmmakers still mess up: A lav mic (get the mic close to the mouth!) and headphones to actually check your levels. That would probably help quite a few filmmakers to improve the quality of their work.\n\nAlso: That camcorder is awesome! Viewfinder, awesomely sized fully articulating monitor, headphone jack, ... some of those features are not present on many of today's expensive DSLRs and DSLMs.\n\nI did shoot a movie on DV with this kind of equipment. And it is horrible. But it was so much fun to make! :-)launch

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March 28, 2017

@DrCassette

@hansoloLDZ \r\nYou really don't get it. I did NOT hate on the VX1000, I said it didn't fit MY PERSONAL needs and that I was going to sell it because of that. The TRV900 has a LCD screen, it's a bit smaller and has more features and functions than the VX1000 and therefore fits my needs much better.launch

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January 22, 2012

The TRV900 supports 16-bit sound recording, better than the VX1000's 12-bit, and includes an external mic input with plug-in power plus headphone output for monitoring levels.

@DrCassette

There is an external mic input with plug in power as well as a headphone output :)launch

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April 21, 2012

@DrCassette

@hansoloLDZ \r\nThe TRV900 does have CCDs that do have a slighly higher resolution than the VX1000. The TRV lens is smaller meaning the quality might not be better, but theoretically it is. The low light sensitivity is a billion times better. I already mentioned that elsewhere, the VX has 4 mic elements, the TRV has only 2. So that's not a fair comparison. If the TRV had the same mic setup, it would be better, as the TRV supports 16bit sound recording (the VX can only do 12bit).launch

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January 22, 2012

Several commenters praise the smaller, lighter Handycam form factor compared to the bulky VX1000, while still offering more features and functions that better fit personal shooting needs.

@DrCassette

@hansoloLDZ \r\nYou really don't get it. I did NOT hate on the VX1000, I said it didn't fit MY PERSONAL needs and that I was going to sell it because of that. The TRV900 has a LCD screen, it's a bit smaller and has more features and functions than the VX1000 and therefore fits my needs much better.launch

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January 22, 2012

@vwestlife

The TRV900 (and the later TRV950) still are very popular and valuable today. It was basically the huge, bulky VX1000 repackaged into a much smaller and lighter Handycam size. The slot the floppy disk or Memory Stick adapter goes into is known as a PCMCIA (or \"PC Card\") card, and is commonly used in laptop computers.launch

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January 22, 2012

The 12x optical zoom is seen as appropriately limited for quality, with one commenter noting more zoom often hurts picture quality and that this camcorder's optics remain impressive compared to cheaper modern options.

@DrCassette

@trailkeeper \r\nMore zoom doesn't mean the quality is better. I had a Panasonic camcorder with 70x optical zoom, and the picture quality was absolute rubbish. This camcorder also only has 12x optical zoom, the 48x are digital zoom. 20x is what for me is the limit of consumer camcorders. More zooms reduces the picture quality.launch

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January 22, 2012

@trailkeeper

I have the the , probably older, SONY DCR-TRV280. What makes these cameras special is the absolutely great optical magification. Mine has 20X optical, and yours is an incredible 48X. Many digital cameras today, at reasonable cost, just don't have these great lenses on them.launch

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January 22, 2012