On Thu, 6 Jun 2002 20:06:26 -0700, "Paul Tauger" wrote:

>I'm strictly amateur, but I have a taste for quality production values, and
>a reasonably decent NLE setup (Pinnacle ProOne and Premiere, soon to have
>Pinnacle Edition).
>
>I've been using a TRV-20 for the past year and a half or so -- I got it
>because I liked its small size. Though it does well (actually very well)
>under many conditions, I'm not happy with either its low-light performance
>or the digital artifacts that show whenever it encounters diagonal lines,
>e.g. window ledges on buildings, paving stone lines, etc. I also have
>problems with its auto white balance -- it seems to have a mind of its own,
>and will pick up the color temp of a window at the edge of the frame, and
>ignore the tungsten-lit object at center frame.
>
>When I was pricing 'corders, I considered the TRV900, and was very impressed
>with its color reproduction in low light (virtually no color noise, as
>compared with the TRV20). I didn't test its ability to resolve diagonal
>lines without artifacts. From what I understand, I can manually set white
>balance. Ultimately, though, the smaller size of the TRV-20 decided me.
>
>Now I want to upgrade. I still need something manageable from the
>standpoint of size and weight -- I use the 'corder primarily for shooting
>vacation video (I like to think of them as "travelogues"), and don't want to
>lug around anything larger or heavier than the TRV900. The new 950 sounds
>like a bust -- smaller CCDs that, I assume, means poorer low-light
>performance, more noise, more artifacts, etc.
>
>I have absolutely no interest in a 'corder's ability to create still images
>(except still to tape at DV resolutions).
>
>Is it worth trying to track down a TRV900? I see that some of the reputable
>mail order outfits still seem to have them. Is the 950 comparable in terms
>of image quality (I don't see how it can be, but I thought I'd ask)?

Well...............;-)
I just bought a second (used) TRV900 to add to my two
VX2000s and other TRV900, since these are the only
compact cameras capable of producing good images in
the lighting conditions I often encounter (the
1-chippers and the TRV950 can't do it, alas...).
Some of the one-chippers can produce fine images
***IF*** conditions are ideal for them (but this is
rather limiting...;-). Unfortunately, no camcorder
(at least in the D25 format) is completely free of
negative picture characteristics, but some are
better than others, and the TRV900, with all its
faults, is among the very few best... For more on
video picture characteristics and faults, see:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/vid_pict_characts.htm
(click on the "key" to see what cameras were used
for the various examples). For reviews that compare
the TRV900 with other cameras, see:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm
I have not yet tried the TRV950, but I suspect its
picture will be VERY good in bright light, and
quite good in medium light, and unacceptable in
low light...