On Tue, 9 Jul 2002 10:06:29 +0200, "Reinald Snel" wrote:

>I have my TRV20 from sony for about 1,5 year
>A couple of weeks ago I had a small accident wich broke my large LCD screen.
>The big problem is, that sony is not able to replace this lcd screen,
>because they don't have them anymore.
>So this is the end of my trv20 after 1,5 year
>
>Yesterday it was a very nice day, and instead of filming with the lcd screen
>(that was broken) I used the viewfinder. I thought it was very easy to film
>with the viewfinder, but because I wear glasses, it was very clumsy.
>
>So I am now looking for a nice 3ccd camcorder for about $2500,- The problem
>is, that most of the 3ccd camcorder have only a 2,5" screen, and I just love
>a 3,5". Filming trough the viewfinder is so difficult.
>
>Because of the bad service sony gave to me with my trv20, I never want to
>buy any sony product anymore!
>So another brand,
>
>Who give some advise about some nice 3ccd camcorders with a price +- $2500,-

I find the LCD panels unuseable except when the camera
is tripod-mounted and inside or otherwise in relatively
low light, whereas the eyepiece finder is great with glasses
(and it has a diopter adjustment to optimize focus). I
can judge exposure, color, focus, and framing better with
the eyepiece finder (though I often add large eyecups to
isolate the small finder better from ambient light). As
for a $2500 3-CCD camera, it is pretty hard to beat (or
equal) the excellent Sony VX2000 - you will immediately
notice a picture improvement over the TRV20 that is NOT
SUBTLE! And, it comes with a big accessory eyecup - once
you see the excellent eyepiece finder on the VX2000,
you should not miss the LCD (though one is available,
just in case...;-). BTW, you may find this comparison
of the TRV20, VX2000, and other Sony imaging types
interesting:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm
(Also, if you are going to part with the TRV20 cheap,
let me know...;-) As for repairs, you might try elsewhere,
with better luck (I'm not sure, but I think in the US
repair parts are legally required to be available for
a number of years after discontinuance...).