On Tue, 8 Jan 2002 17:14:21 -0000, "PagZ" wrote:

>I was wondering whether it would be worth getting hold of a Sony TR-2000
>(PAL version of TR-700), as I have been offered one quite cheaply, or
>whether it would be better saving my money for something better at a later
>date.

If quite cheap, and if fully-functional, this is an excellent
buy. For a single-chip Hi-8, its performance
was top-class - and it still beats low-end mini-DV
easily...

>My editing system is currently analog (DC10+), and the digital cameras are
>still way out of a struggling media studies student's price range, but from
>readin past postings on Google, it seems that this was a pretty good camera
>in it's day, being used quite a lot for documentary and news footage over
>here in the UK when a bigger cam was not feasible.
>Basically, what I want to know is this:
>* is it better quality generally than the newer Sony HI-8 XR camcorders
>(TR8xx series i think)

Yes.

>* what is the pixel count like on these?

Dunno - but it is performance that counts, and the image
is fine from the TR700 (NTSC), almost as good as the
3-chip TRV900, but with somewhat less "edginess" in
the image than most Mini-DV has. If you can get a
high-quality transfer into/out-of the computer, this
camera makes sense for inexpensive video production.
Compared with Mini-DV, you lose the lossless-transfer
feature, and dropouts are far more common - but on a
tight budget, this camera produces very good image
quality for the money...

>* what sort of price would you expect to pay for one of these (used! ) ?

Anything under $4-500 US is reasonable...