On Mon, 02 Sep 2002 19:43:20 -0500, Mark wrote:

>Could you folks help a newbie out.
>
>Unboxed this sony trv25, made sure everything was set for auto. (AE,
>shutter, etc) and shot some demo footage.
>
>http://www.webpit.com/videos/demo.htm
>
>that page has snapshots of footage taken by my new sony and myold RCA
>8mm (not even hi8)

Sony Mini-DV *imaging types* are compared in
three different light levels at
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm
(though the TRV25/27 type is not included...). As the
CCD size goes down and as the pixel count goes up, all
else being equal, the low-light range goes down... The
cheaper Sony TRV17/18, with its larger CCD and lower
pixel count, can shoot in slightly lower light levels
than the megapixel+ models of the one-chippers; the
3-chippers do even better (except the TRV950, alas...).
Older cameras often have larger (1/2-1/3") CCDs instead
of 1/4-1/6" CCDs, and much lower pixel count - but the
images from the best newer cameras in good light are
sharper, with better color. Workarounds for your camera
to improve low-light reach: turn off the stabilizer,
use a slow shutter speed; use "night-shot" (with "B&W"
mode engaged to lose the bad color...); add a light.