On Thu, 15 Aug 2002 17:58:34 GMT, Jes Jes wrote:

>I guess 1,700 TRV900 would be a bargain then! I kept seeing Snoy website
>showing the list of store that carries TRV900 so I thought there might be
>left over of them still. Well, they did not :(

Probably useless, but searching a LOT of sellers may turn
up one...?

>I am not sure if you might be able to tell me, but I wonder if you know
>how big TRV900 is. About as big as TRV27 maybe? I'll use the trick you
>mentioned mean time.... Ack! I can't seem to find firewire out from my
>PC101.
>
>Thank you

The TRV27 and similar-size Sony camcorders are quite a bit
smaller and lighter than a TRV900, which reminds one of the
average Hi-8 in size... (about 1/2 again the size of a TRV27
in each dimension). BTW, as L pointed out, slow shutter
1 (and 2) can get you better color in low light, but
resolution is reduced, stairstepping is worse, and motion
effects may be unpleasant. It is surprising, though, how
much can be dug out of a VERY dark DV image using tone
adjust ("levels" in Premiere) and brightness/contrast
controls, and if the color is still there, a dark picture
can be made to look reasonably good (though "grainy").
(I just happen to be doing this now with the two 1-chippers
used in a 6-camera shoot in a dark chapel - and the results are good enough [with a little sharpening and
some color
balance adjustment] to match up well enough with the two
TRV900s and two VX2000s also used to be useful for brief
cut-aways...)

>> As the 1-CCD camera goes from +15db to +18db gain, most of
>> the color goes away. One trick I use: at the low light limit
>> of Sony 1-chippers, I lock the exposure into manual, and
>> move the exposure one "notch" toward under-exposure, which
>> gives a slightly darker picture, but one with much better
>> color. You can raise brightness later (but "grain" will
>> also go up - but the color will stay).
>>
>> The TRV900 was the only fairly "inexpensive" camcorder
>> with good low-light range - but it has unfortunately
>> been discontinued...
>> So would we all, and I recommended often that people do
>> just that while the TRV900 was available new for around
>> $1700 - but most preferred tiny 1-chippers that cost
>> almost as much (until maybe when they discovered the
>> limitations...). Now, good used TRV900s are worth what
>> they cost new, since they remain a bargain when you need
>> good low-light performance...
>> David Ruether