On Sun, 9 Feb 2003 09:48:08 +0100, "Maxx Taxx" <matsqq@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I'm looking for a small camcorder ,three models Sony Pc-120, Panasonic

>NV-GS5 and then a new one Sony TRV33 came out.

>

>However that TRV33 seem to lack manual controls on the back, how important

>is that when using a camcorder ?

>Do you often go manual with these things, and when you do, would this be a

>big annoyance and maybe take a lot of battery becauce it relies on using the

>LCD ?

>

>---snip from (p)review at

>http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony_dcrtrv33_fi_camcorder_review.htm

>

>

>"There's not much going on in the back of the DCR-TRV33. It's really too bad

>in my opinion. I really think that with these new models Sony made a mistake

>in moving so many controls inside the touch screen LCD and it seems that

>they could have at least put optional, manual 'button' versions of these

>controls on the camcorder, possibly in the back. On the upper left of the

>DCR-TRV33 is the color viewfinder, just to the right is the battery eject

>button and to the right of that is the DC power in port. Located below and

>center of all those is the battery. Directly below the DC in port is the

>record button and the other side of the mode dial. I'm really disappointed

>about how much of the control of the camcorder is now dependent on the touch

>screen LCD. Sony in my opinion should have kept the jog dial for manual

>control and menu browsing in the back - as it had been on previous models."

>-----

I agree with this. I detest these silly LCD touch screens.

They are hard to see in daylight. The number of "steps"

required to get where you want in the menus is excessive.

The accompanying "beeps" are annoying, and I need to

silence these - but the useful "beeps" for record start/stop

are then also defeated. Buttons for activating/accessing

basic functions make their use practical; the touch-screen

route is impractical while shooting quickly. This is one

of Sony's more stupid moves (removing daylight-infrared

capability is another...). While most people do not access

the camcorder controls beyond "start/stop", and "love" the

cute LCD touch-screen trick, some do want to access the

controls conveniently, and DO NOT appreciate the LCD

touch controls!