On Sat, 12 Sep 1998 13:18:44 -0500, C&M wrote:

>I'm choosing between a Sony TRV-9 and a Canon Optura, both about $1400
>now. They seem to be the best of the 1-chip recorders.
>
>Has anyone compared the quality of these two, especially in low-light
>conditions? Optura has lower LUX rating, but TRV-9 is supposed to have
>Nightshot (which I've never seen--is it useful in ordinary indoor
>lighting, or is the infrared technique only useful where conditions are
>really dark?).

These would probably both be poor choices for low-light work
UNLESS infrared B&W images are OK, in which case the TRV-9
is quite sensitive in tungsten-illuminated areas (it produces
a clean image in my darkroom under safelights! ;-) For color work,
the TRV-9 is quite noisy even in moderately high light levels
(I 've heard the Optura [excellent in bright light], is also
noisy in moderate light levels...). BTW, the "night-shot" IR
(when using B&W setting) produces beautiful daytime infrared
images (in TRV-9's without this feature disabled by Sony...).

>If anyone has other reasons to choose between them, I'm interested. For
>example, Sony's analog input is a definite plus, but Canon's progressive
>mode seems excellent when your real objective is to select out still
>shots for manipulation. Any other differences that stand out?

My guess is that the Optura picture is better in bright light,
but the TRV-9 IR capability and analogue-in are definite plusses
for me (but maybe not for most people...).