On 28 Nov 2001 10:06:52 -0800, msfox99@hotmail.com (Mike Fox) wrote:

>A couple of questions about the Sony TRV17 camcorder:
>
>1. Will this camera do "reverse" passthrough? That is,
>Can I play a video on my PC, out the PC's firewire port,
>to the camera, and then through the camera's analog out
>to record to VHS? (without going 1st to DV tape)

Yes. All Sony (and probably most other) Mini-DV NTSC
camcorders can do this.

>2. The specs say it has a mic in jack, but mentions
>something about "plug-in power." What is this?

Some mics are designed to use the low-voltage DC-out
provided by the Sony camera mic input jack. Unfortunately,
Canon and Sony did not agree on what voltage this would
be, so my nice Canon mic will not work on my Sony
camcorders...

>Any other comments positive/negative about this camera
>are welcome.

I have compared the various Sony Mini-DV camcorder
types here in the past - here is one earlier post,
slightly modified to include the TRV30:

I have the PC9 and have had the TRV11 - both have the same
image quality as the TRV17. I also have the PC100 (similar
image quality to the PC110 and TRV20). I also have a TRV30
(similar image quality to the PC120). In the case of
the first two, the images are noticeably different. The PC9
image is neutral-warm, normal-high in contrast, moderately
sharp, and reasonably free of excessive negative picture
artifacts (a good "compromise" image, very pleasant, but
not ideal for shooting fine detail and textures); the PC100
image is noticeably sharper (about as sharp as the 3-chip
TRV900), neutral-cool, a bit high in contrast (highlights
burn out easily), and high in negative picture artifacts
(some subjects look quite bad, some quite good shot
with this camera - it trades universality and pleasantness
for excellent sharpness for a one-chipper); the TRV30 images
look similar to those of the PC100, but with a warmer color
balance. The TRV900 image, BTW, has excellent color
(saturation and balance, though a tad weak in green...),
very good sharpness, normal contrast (with better handling
of shadows and highlights compared with one-chippers), and
relatively minor negative artifacting. I would also consider
this one, since it is compact for a 3-chipper, still very
good, and (in the US) not much more expensive than the
TRV30. On a budget, I would consider the TRV17 (or the
earlier TRV11) for its average-good overall performance.