happy with DCR TRV900in its old age?

from reviews this looks to have aged gracefully. I am looking at the 900 vs the panasonic pv g400(new). Any comments, advice?
thanks in advance

i'd like to ask the same question.

i've been looking at the TRV900 and also the 950, vs the current Panasonic range of 3CCD camcorders, GS150, 250 and 400.
with the Panasonic range being 18 months old, and the Sony more like 3 years, do the Sony camcorders still do the job? are they still decent enough specifications to compete with the more recent models?

i had my heart set on a DCR-HC90 last week after being told it had 3 CCD. after looking it up i found that it didn't. is 3 ccd worth the extra money? would a camera from an older range with 3ccd, costing the same as a current range camera without 3ccd, be better or worse?

I've heard that the TRV900 and 950 are very very capable camcorders.
I've got HC1000 which is 3CCD Sony (discontinued in deference to the HC1) and it's a really great machine.
I've heard that TRV950 is, mechanically, and optically, almost the same as my HC1000, so given that, i'd say it's an excellent machine and if you can pick one up 2nd hand in good condition i'm sure you'll be very happy. Or get hold of a 2nd hand HC1000. I can highly recommend.

Just because an item has been discontinued doesn't make it suddenly useless or outdated. Unless you're going to go Hi-definiotn and get an HC1 or something, then one of the above machines is about as good as it gets for a Standard-Defintion MiniDV camcorder.

Though, i have not handled 950. It seems very similar to GS400 with (1/4.7" CCD) even the flash (for stills) looks similar.

GS400 on advantage side :

1. has multimanual ring which is very very useful during manual mode.
2. 4MP still.
3. VCR buttons are all available and not hidden under menu.
4. 43mm filter (I do not know what difference will it actually have compared to 950's 37mm)
5. Exposure in true fstops ratings.
6. OIS
7. Manual Gain Control

on the advantage of 950.
1. Zebras are available at 70 and at 100 (GS400 has at 100 only. Do not know for sure if it changes in different modes viz. Cinema, etc)
2. Spot Metering

But the GS400 is now replaced by GS500 which is much stripped down of GS400. So hurry and buy GS400 till stock lasts.

There is a nice comparison made here between GS400,950 and HC100

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-HC1000-Camcorder-Review.htm

Keny

Hello

I've read your coments about the 950.

I'm partial to Sony for it's low light capability, and general features.

I was sad to see the 900, and 950 discontinued. Although I realize business is business .....

I'm currently looking at used 900's and 950's on ebay, and I see that they are all selling for an average price of 1,000, or a little more.

The nice thing about these models are their substantial size, and 3.5 LCD. And believe both are capable of adjusting the audio input level to avoid clipping at loud recording volume.

But at these prices, I'm leaning on purchasing a 'NEW' leftover DCR-HC1000 for about the same price. I'm not sure about the specs of the DCR-HC1000 - does anyone know if it has adjustable volume input levels. I also appears puny in size compared to the 900, and 950.
Does the HC1000 still have the same heart and soul? Resolution?
But smaller LCD - correct?

If you guys recommend purchase of a used 950, I've heard that the older 900 is actually a better camera? Is this true?

Thank you so much
Mike

Compared to the 950, the 900 has slightly larger CCDs and a bigger lens. I own a 950 and have only had a few chances to handle a 900. My impression is that the 900 is a bit better in low light. I don't know if the 900 has the touch-screen for spot metering, but I do know it doesn't have the silly bluetooth networking built in like the 950. One annoyance with the 950 is that it only allows you to limit gain (to either 12dB or 6dB), not shut it off altogether, and that control is buried in a menu; I don't know how the 900 handles gain.

If I were buying used now I think I'd lean slightly in favor of the 900 over the 950, but that would be secondary to the overall condition of the unit. 900s are getting a bit long in the tooth now so finding one that hasn't seen a lot of wear and tear is going to be a bit more difficult.

With any of them (900/950/1000) you will definitely notice the difference over a single-chip camcorder. I haven't had a chance to handle the Panasonic GS400 but based on specs I'd consider it to be in the same league as the Sonys but with a different mix of pros and cons.

rsk400 stated that the GVS400 DOES have:
"Manual Gain Control"

So then I assume from this that 'YES', you can EASILY go in the Menu, and adjust the 'Mic Audio Input Level?'

*If so, this comes in handy when recording at a LIVE concert :cool:

And one more thing, I assume that the Panasonic does have 'Optical
Stabilization'?
Thanx