[SNICK]

I'm looking to get a cheap mini DV camcorder, having narrowed it down to 3. sony TVR14/ Canon M600 / panasonic DS65

I've read good and bad things about all 3 - but would appreciate some 'insider' knowledge about which one to plump for.

Video quality is paramount above any fancy features - as is a DV out.

thanks

[slewis1972]

Bough a Panasonic DS65 from A J electronics before Christmas - fine camcorder with DV in/out and pc connectivity. Seems to take good quiality video footage - better tapes of course help.

Scott

[mossmanfly]

Go have a look at a local shop as this will probably make your mind up.

Personnally I am looking between the Sony TRV14 and the TRV19. The 14 has just DV-Out the 19 has DV-In/Out. If you want to get your footage from the PC to the camcorder once edited you need to go for the 19. Both the 14 and the 19 are the same apart from the DV-In.

I went to the Sony shop and had a go with the Sony TRV19. It was excellent to hold, the touch screen really was easy to use, simple little tap on the screen is all it takes, you hardly notice your touching it. As it was a demo model which probably gets handled alot there were little or no finger marks on the screen, I couldnt see any at all.

When I started looking for a camcorder I saw the Sony TRV14/19 straight away and have mainly stuck to this idea so far, so will hopefully be ordering one in a few weeks.

Just looked at the JVC and Canon and noticed that the CCD is not as good as the Sony. The JVC and Canon are 1/6" while the Sony is 1/4". The JVC and Canon CCD are smaller and its usually the larger CCD that produces better images at night. Also the JVC and possibly the Canon have higher minimum LUX ratings, which means that filming in low light is going to be worst. The Sony has a night mode which uses infra-red to see, and you get this greenish tint on the picture, but a decent night picture. I think that Sony are the only ones to do this and the JVC and Canon slow the shutter down to let more light in, but this means that the videos can be all blurry and choppy if the camera is moved to fast.

I think going and having a look at the specs a little more, as well as going to a shop to hold them a try them out will really set your mind up with which camera to go for.

[SNICK]

I've decided to go for the TVR14 - got an excellent deal from lets go digital for 319. Should hopefully have this tomorrow!!!

[mossmanfly]

Originally posted by SNICK
I've decided to go for the TVR14 - got an excellent deal from lets go digital for 319. Should hopefully have this tomorrow!!!

Thinking about getting it from there. So maybe post when you get it.

Thinking about ordering it this weekend, but theres new Sony cams coming out to replace the current ones, but to me I think I would like the current TRV14, so may need to order it soon in case it goes out of stock every where and they dont get any more.

[SNICK]

Got the TVR 14 today -LGD kept to their promise of next day delivery.
So far haven't been able to film anything in natural daylight - but indoor footage is far better than expected. An absolute steal at 319.