On Thu, 16 Nov 2000 03:26:30 GMT, Whalefan@home.com wrote:

>I'm thinking about purchasing a Sony DCR VX2000 Cam and would like
>input from VX2000 owners regarding low light stills/videos and the
>general video quality of the camera.
>
>When using progressive scan to shoot videos, do the videos have a
>stepping (strobe like) effect like the TRV900 or are video images
>smooth?
>
>I'd also like to know if the VX2000 is also susceptible to audio drop
>outs, cam motor noise in recordings or tape crinkling as the TRV 900?

I agree with what Dave Harpe said (above). The
progressive-scan (why would anyone want PS-mode
video???;-) is useable for stills only; the picture
quality is as good as it gets in Mini-DV in a
fairly-affordable, reasonably-compact camcorder;
the low-light performance is generally excellent
(and high gain settings look better than usual);
and the audio is also excellent with the built-in
mic. But, as with anything, there are faults...;-)
The picture shows more problems with near-vertical
parallel lines than the smoother VX-1000 image
(though the greater sharpness more than compensates);
in some low-light conditions, I have seen odd
vertical-banding (makes near-black skies unacceptable);
PS-mode looks terrible (But why bother anyway? This
is an excellent VIDEO camera, not a fake-film-effect
camera or a digital-still camera...); the AGC audio
levels make using common inexpensive mini-plug
mics awkward (I use a pad with the MKE-300s or
Z157s used in pairs with good results, but without
the pad, the ACG is in limiting much of the time);
a noisy headphone amp can make you thing noise
levels are higher than they are on tape. More is
in my review, at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
Bottom line: the VX-2000 is even better than
buttered bread (;-), and is a bargain at the price.