On 4 Sep 2002 20:06:32 -0700, tauger.paul@usa.net (Paul Tauger) wrote:
>d_ruether@hotmail.com (Neuman - Ruether) wrote in message news:
<3d764a64.19714118@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu>...

>> Sony has listened to the many here who stated they preferred
>> tiny one-chippers to the larger, better TRV900 at close to
>> the same price, quality differences be damned...;-) BTW, if
>> you put a collapsing rubber shade on the VX2000 instead of
>> the big rigid one supplied, and use NPF-750 batteries
>> instead of 960s, the 2000 isn't all that much bigger/heavier
>> than the 900, and it fits in a bag only a couple of inches
>> longer, if the VF is tilted up... (and the image quality is
>> noticeably better). The very short VCL-ES06 WA converter is
>> almost weightless, and gives good results with about .5X
>> magnification (it needs a 58mm->52mm step-down ring). Add a
>> RS (part no. 33-373A) windscreen for mic protection, and the
>> on-camera mic is also excellent for exterior ambient-sound
>> pickup, with little trouble from wind. The VX2000 is worth
>> its weight and size...;-)

>Hmmm, this is starting to sound interesting. The rubber shade sounds
>fine, as does the smaller battery -- I routinely carry extra batteries
>with me anyway, and as long as the battery gets me through a 1-hour
>tape, that's enough power for me.
>
>Is the on-camera mike stereo? One of the good features of the two Sony
>camcorders I've owned is excellent stereo imaging, which really helps
>recreate the environment. This is a pretty important feature for me.

The 750s last FAR longer than one hour (the VX2000 "sips"
power - it is amazing in this respect!). The on-camera
mic is a very good "presence peaked" (but otherwise smooth)
stereo mic, excellent for general ambience-sound or close-in
recordings - and it is unusually insensitive to wind
problems, simplifying exterior recordings compared with
other camcorders (I do add the RS WS, though...). For most
location work, the built-in mic supplies excellent sound
(considerably better than the TRV900's mic in stereo
breadth, "naturalness", and freedom from other audio
problems). The AGC is also excellent, and is generally
free of the "pumping" common in others - and it does not
exaggerate low-level sounds (noise...). See my review at
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm. It is hard
not to get REALLY enthusiastic about this camera, given
its price point and capabilities compared with others
near its price! It is not perfect, but its faults are
relatively minor compared with the others I've tried
(see www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm,
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm, and
for picture references,
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/vid_pict_characts.htm).