On 16 Jul 98 15:51:23 GMT, mcyue@topaz.hknet.com (yue man ching) wrote:

>I AM INTERESTED IN THE PICTURE QUALITY VS HI8.
>Is the overall quality of the digital camcorder much
>better then Hi8?

The particular mini-DV camcorders you mentioned
(Sony TRV-9, PC-10 [and the PC-7...]) are not very good
in low light levels, so many Hi-8 camcorders may beat
them there (and virtually all mini-DV camcorders
have a quite-audible "whine" in the audio unless an
external mic is used). In good light, the single-chip
DV picture can look subtly better than most Hi-8,
if well exposed (not always easy to control...).

>How good is the quality when transferring to the computer and back?
>What equipment is needed?

The major difference comes when you try to copy
or edit the tapes - the lossless DV generations and
copies are very noticeably better than Hi-8, though good,
cheap capture boards for analogue material are becoming
available, somewhat reducing what had been a clear
advantage for DV. I prefer working with DV, though - a
lot of problems don't seem to exist with it that may
exist when beginning (and ending) with analogue
material... (And having a copy/master(*s*) with the same
quality as the original is hard to accomplish when
starting with Hi-8!)

>The price in Toronto for TRV9 is $3299
>AND PC10 $3499
>
>Is it reasonable?

Ummmm...., I would be inclined to buy used...
(that kind of money could maybe buy a VX-1000,
with a better picture, better sound, and more
control over the camera characteristics ;-).