Sony DCR-TRV520 Camcorder Review

by Robin Liss
Published on Jun 22, 2001 12:00 AM



The DCR-TRV520 is Sony’s middle range Digital8 camcorder with a MSRP of $1099. Sony Digital8 records a digital signal onto standard 8mm or Hi8 tapes. Sony claims that it is possible to record up to 500 lines of resolution on a Digital8 tape. The compression allows you to record only an hour of video on the standard 120 minute 8mm and Hi8 tapes. It also allows you to play back 8mm and Hi8 tapes on the camcorder so it’s great for anyone transitioning from 8mm or Hi8 to DV. It has the same CODEC as DV, allowing a digital transfer from your video to a computer using the FireWire standard, just like MiniDV. The camcorder comes with a 3.5-inch Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen and a color viewfinder. It has a large 25x optical zoom and a needlessly large 450x digital zoom. It allows for analog input so you can transfer your old VHS tapes to DV. The camcorder includes Control L that allows you to use it in a standard and linear editing system. It captures still pictures and stores them on Sony's memory stick media.

The TRV-520 is exactly the same as the upper end Digital8 camcorders with the exception of its LCD screen, which is slightly smaller. The LCD screen is the fundamental difference between all the Digital8 camcorders. You want a quality camcorder. You want to save money. You can save money and retain quality by downsizing the LCD a half-inch. The camcorder does not lose any quality features by sizing down. What’s a half-inch anyway? The miniscule size difference of the LCD does not compensate for the gigantic price difference.