On Fri, 13 Apr 2001 01:07:26 -0700, Elvis Murks wrote:

[Treading in dangerous waters, since I have never tried an Optura Pi...;-]

>I know its like comparing apples to oranges, but I am going to do it
>anyway.

More like comparing raisins and grapes...;-)

>I have narrowed down my DV camera purchase to either a Sony TRV900 or
>Canon Optura Pi. I am planning on shooting a short film that will
>(hopefully) be broadcast on the web, viewed on a few TV screens, and
>possibly projected.
>
>I know the Optura PI is probably the best of the 1 chip cameras.

Not necessarily... I "hear" the resolution on tape is
rather limited - more in the low-Hi8 range than the
high-MiniDV range, at least in low-light conditions...

>How
>much worse is the quality vs. the TRV900? During what kind of viewing is
>this most noticable? What about audio?

In general, one chippers have had less attention paid to
audio quality and freedom from picking up motor/zoom/
handling noises than 3-chippers - and the picture quality
of most one-chippers is noticeably inferior to most
3-chippers, especially in difficult lighting conditions
(low-light, contrasty-light, shadow-area shooting),
or with difficult subject types (foliage, landscapes, etc.).

>Making this short film is a bit of an experiment and based on the
>experience it may be the last one I try, or hopefully the first of many.
>Not knowing how this might turn out, should I go with the less expensive
>Optura Pi? Or will the Optura PI hinder me so much in this effort I
>wished I had opted for the TRV900?

Most likely the last...