I didn't know where to turn after numerous failures to figure out which one I should get. Since camcorders are still film like cameras I figured someone here would know whats reliable or not. I goto one site and it says sony sucks because of battery life.. then another one swears by it... One site says canon sucks.. but another site says its broken on them 60 times ... Anyone have any experience with HI8 Camcorders?
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Hi8 Camcorders (sorry non-related to camera)
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Richard71187
Forum Enthusiast
I have had Sony camcorders for years, most recently Hi8. I found them reliable, easy to use, and with greater capabilities than Canon, the only serious competitor. Of course digital camcorders are better.
--Richard
yea people were telling me to get canon, but it seems that some people really really hate canon... and DV is a little to expensive.. i dont want to pay anything over 400 bucks
Tigadee
Veteran Member
Sony invented Digital8 and seriously, they are the best at what they invented, except Betacam and perhaps Mini-Disc, that is.
Avoid the mid-range D8s which have 1/6" CCDs as opposed to the older but better 1/4" CCDs still used in the low and high-end models (TRV130/730/830). Even better, get the TRV730/830 which have the megapixel CCD (690K pixels for video). Those also have analog in, pass-trhu function and playback of old 8mm/Hi8 tapes. (The TRV130 does not have those features.)
The TRV230 onwards use the M-series batteries while the TRV130 uses the older L-series NP-F330/550/750/960 batteries. If you're a straight starter with a camcorder and want digital for the lowest price and almost best quality (for D8s), get the TRV130: 1/4" CCD, cheaper batteries, built-in video light, older-style tape mechanism (top-loading, not bottom loading like the new ones), 100% DV...
TRV130 disadvantages: NO 8mm/Hi8 playback, no analog in, no pass thru capability. So very good only for the 1st timers, not for those who have an existing library of 8mm/Hi8 tapes.
Tigadee
Avoid the mid-range D8s which have 1/6" CCDs as opposed to the older but better 1/4" CCDs still used in the low and high-end models (TRV130/730/830). Even better, get the TRV730/830 which have the megapixel CCD (690K pixels for video). Those also have analog in, pass-trhu function and playback of old 8mm/Hi8 tapes. (The TRV130 does not have those features.)
The TRV230 onwards use the M-series batteries while the TRV130 uses the older L-series NP-F330/550/750/960 batteries. If you're a straight starter with a camcorder and want digital for the lowest price and almost best quality (for D8s), get the TRV130: 1/4" CCD, cheaper batteries, built-in video light, older-style tape mechanism (top-loading, not bottom loading like the new ones), 100% DV...
TRV130 disadvantages: NO 8mm/Hi8 playback, no analog in, no pass thru capability. So very good only for the 1st timers, not for those who have an existing library of 8mm/Hi8 tapes.
Tigadee
Bob Andersen
Well-known member
I've had:
2 canon hi-8 cams (L1)
1 Sony Hi-8 (TR 3000)
1 canon DV cam (XL1)
3 sony dv cams (trv9, trv900, pc100)
All of the above worked fine for my part-time event video business. Each had its strengths and weaknesses.
My favorite of all of the above for PERSONAL use was the pc100.
I'm not sure why you want hi-8. for a few bucks more i would get a sony or canon DV camera.
DV is a much more stable medium than hi-8:
-- fewer dropouts
-- cleaner image
-- zero generation loss when making DV copies
There is a web site http://www.supervideo.com that has a buyer's guide comparing dv cameras. the site is VERY chaotic so you will have to search.
2 canon hi-8 cams (L1)
1 Sony Hi-8 (TR 3000)
1 canon DV cam (XL1)
3 sony dv cams (trv9, trv900, pc100)
All of the above worked fine for my part-time event video business. Each had its strengths and weaknesses.
My favorite of all of the above for PERSONAL use was the pc100.
I'm not sure why you want hi-8. for a few bucks more i would get a sony or canon DV camera.
DV is a much more stable medium than hi-8:
-- fewer dropouts
-- cleaner image
-- zero generation loss when making DV copies
There is a web site http://www.supervideo.com that has a buyer's guide comparing dv cameras. the site is VERY chaotic so you will have to search.
HAHAHA LOL When u said chaotic you werent kidding
But seriously.. I only have a budget of 400 bucks
and it seems that the DVs hit over that mark. I wanted a camcorder to record vacataions and fun stuff but also to film some misc stuff so i can do some film editing for abstract work.. So thats why i can only afford a good Hi8 or maybe a crappy cheap dv
But seriously.. I only have a budget of 400 bucks
and it seems that the DVs hit over that mark. I wanted a camcorder to record vacataions and fun stuff but also to film some misc stuff so i can do some film editing for abstract work.. So thats why i can only afford a good Hi8 or maybe a crappy cheap dv
Oh and another thing, I dont want a HUGE camcorder.. ya know.. like the canon xl1 i think it was.. i dont want a monster..
Tigadee
Veteran Member
Try
http://www.dv.com
http://www.camcorderinfo.com
http://www.desktopvideo.com
http://www.videoguys.com
http://www.dvcentral.com
http://www.dvformat.com
http://www.dvguys.com
http://www.888camcorder.com
Bob - I envy you! ;-)
http://www.dv.com
http://www.camcorderinfo.com
http://www.desktopvideo.com
http://www.videoguys.com
http://www.dvcentral.com
http://www.dvformat.com
http://www.dvguys.com
http://www.888camcorder.com
Bob - I envy you! ;-)
--Tigadeewww.pbase.com/tigadee
Tigadee
Veteran Member
I have a friend who uses a Canon Hi8 and it gives great video quality. Pretty sharp (low lines of resolution but that's a given for Hi8) and good colors. Canon makes good lenses, far as I can tell.
Only problem I saw was that the Auto Focus was really bad, a lot of hunting at telephoto and in low light, it hunts quite a bit whether at telephoto or wide angle. Just thot you'd like to know.
Tigadee
Only problem I saw was that the Auto Focus was really bad, a lot of hunting at telephoto and in low light, it hunts quite a bit whether at telephoto or wide angle. Just thot you'd like to know.
Tigadee
--Tigadeewww.pbase.com/tigadee
Thanks for the links..
Yea bob i took a look at ur list of DV.. and they hit over 1k.. i only have 400 bucks to spend..
Yea bob i took a look at ur list of DV.. and they hit over 1k.. i only have 400 bucks to spend..
Tigadee
Veteran Member
Hey guys, anyone have any experience with either the TRV5 or TRV9?
They're old 1998 models but if anyone's used these, I'd really appreciate any feedback on them...
Tigadee--Tigadeewww.pbase.com/tigadee
They're old 1998 models but if anyone's used these, I'd really appreciate any feedback on them...
Tigadee--Tigadeewww.pbase.com/tigadee
Ok so we've established the fact that Sony is much better than Canon..Ok
Now I have a total of 400 to spend on this camcorder.. What Hi8 model would you recommend? Plus bob, did you mean D8, or the full DV's that dont use hi8 tapes. because yea for a 100-200 dollars more i could get a D8..
I've seen the quality of a D8, my boss just bought one.. for some reason it seems grainy.. which was also a problem with my sony dsc-s75. Another friend told me.. that Digital Video hasn't matured far enough yet for me to decide ot get one.
Now I have a total of 400 to spend on this camcorder.. What Hi8 model would you recommend? Plus bob, did you mean D8, or the full DV's that dont use hi8 tapes. because yea for a 100-200 dollars more i could get a D8..
I've seen the quality of a D8, my boss just bought one.. for some reason it seems grainy.. which was also a problem with my sony dsc-s75. Another friend told me.. that Digital Video hasn't matured far enough yet for me to decide ot get one.
Tigadee
Veteran Member
Overall, Sony seems to be. Canon has good lenses but since Sony started using CZ lenses, that advantage has been negated.
Canon does still have optical image stabilization, tho not in your price range.
And why not?
Must be one of the ones with a 1/6" CCD. What model is it? 230, 330 or 530?
I disagree.
Tigadee--Tigadeewww.pbase.com/tigadee
a friend of mine has the TRV9 - thinks it's excellent! it was one of the top models during '98 and has one advantage even today - it runs on the powerful F series batteries thou still being relatively small in size!
the coolest camera today [ my opinion ] would be the TRV30 - small but not TOO small for those who still wants to override AUTO and go manual. apart from the new ultra small SONY MICRO-MV cameras, we [the store i manage] sell mostly PC9's, TRV30's and CANON MV400 [ european model names ] DV-M cams, but very few D8 cams - most people prefer very small cams, it seems.
rgds,--Nik http://www.pbase.com/[email protected]
Tigadee
Veteran Member
Hmmm, I kinda like the TRV9 but it's not that much smaller compared to my TRV120, for example. I really like the TRV30 too but it's really out of my budget right now. Perhaps in a year's time, when it's time to let go my D8. Gotta like that 1.5 megapixel CCD tho... 
I am more interested in the TRV5 because of its 1/3" CCD (and the PAL version has 800K pixels - 400 active for video!) despite its lack of the intelligent hotshoe and Nightshot (a seldom used feature anyway).
Can you tell me anything about that, Nik? Or anyone elase who's experienced the TRV5 (not to be mistaken for PC5)?
Much appreciated...
Tigadee
I am more interested in the TRV5 because of its 1/3" CCD (and the PAL version has 800K pixels - 400 active for video!) despite its lack of the intelligent hotshoe and Nightshot (a seldom used feature anyway).
Can you tell me anything about that, Nik? Or anyone elase who's experienced the TRV5 (not to be mistaken for PC5)?
Much appreciated...
Tigadee
--Tigadeewww.pbase.com/tigadee
Susan Genden
New member
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We had a hard time finding info when we wanted to buy--in December. We turned to Sony because of good reputation and past experience with camcorder. We ordered the TRV530 (for $599 supposedly) due to budget constraints and it offered backwards compatibility with our 8mm tape library, but also digital. We found a discussion after camera had already been sent out, discussing graininess in low light. We had ordered from a New York City place (Acesclub--never use them, they were awful. But that is another story.) and it would have been a mess trying to cancel. And we didn't know how bad the problem was.
Well, we checked it briefly and didn't see the problem. The camcorder is for my son primarily, and he DOES report on this problem, and it appears to be worse than we ever had with our old (9 year old Sony) camcorder that just broke). I feel pretty let down by Sony here. I understand the TRV 730 does not do this. Good luck.
Well, we checked it briefly and didn't see the problem. The camcorder is for my son primarily, and he DOES report on this problem, and it appears to be worse than we ever had with our old (9 year old Sony) camcorder that just broke). I feel pretty let down by Sony here. I understand the TRV 730 does not do this. Good luck.
Tigadee
Veteran Member
Yes, the TRv730 does not have this problem. Neither do the TRV830 or 130. That's because they use the 1/4" CCD found in the older series of D8s such as my TRV120.
Sony cut too many corners (smaller CCDs in case ot mid-range models, bottom loading, some models without analog in or backward compatibility, etc.) in their current D8s. I hope they learned their lesson in the next gen of D8s, the TRVx40-series.
Tigadee
Sony cut too many corners (smaller CCDs in case ot mid-range models, bottom loading, some models without analog in or backward compatibility, etc.) in their current D8s. I hope they learned their lesson in the next gen of D8s, the TRVx40-series.
Tigadee
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