Sony CCD-TRV68 Hi8 Camcorder

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [2.07mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005JAEY
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,278 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony CCD-TRV68 is a wonderful addition to the Hi8 format, which features the best video quality outside of digital. The 20x optical (28x digital) zoom lens is paired with Sony's SteadyShot image stabilization, a good thing when you're dealing with high zoom levels. Additionally, a number of faders and shooting modes are built into the CCD-TRV68, all of which add spice to your video. Sony's NightShot system uses the infrared spectrum to illuminate subjects in low-light (or no-light) situations.

Featuring backward compatibility with 8mm tapes, the CCD-TRV68 is a great step up for people with an archive of 8mm footage. The camcorder comes with AC adapter, battery, wireless remote control, A/V cable, lens cap, and shoulder strap.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Product, May 15, 2001

By 

"jimvpi" (Fredericksburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony CCD-TRV68 Hi8 Camcorder (Electronics)

I really enjoy this camcorder. Lots of features, reasonably priced. My biggest complaint is that it comes with only a 2 hour battery, and upgraded batteries are expensive, but that is not a specific problem with this camcorder, but a general issue. I really like the infrared capabilities and steady shot features. You may want to upgrade to the TRV88 I believe, which provides a Video Link capability, which can transmit the 8mm taped image directly to your TV with the optional ...tv receiver. It would keep one from having to connect the camcorder to the TV via cables to view the images on the TV screen. The LCD playback screen on this camera works well and is pretty easy to view.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera for the Price, August 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony CCD-TRV68 Hi8 Camcorder (Electronics)

I purchased the Sony camera as a intermediate video camera. I figure the technology is still evolving for some of the new and exciting digital video cameras and storage devices, i.e. CD storage.

My first video camera was cutting edge technology at the time. I paid over $1200 for Sony Super 8mm with b/w viewfinder which started to eat and destroy tapes while on vacation. Fixing it did not make good financial sense. Today, $400 buys a camera rich in features with separate color LCD viewfinder.

Bottom line, this camera is a great family video camera. Easy to use right out of the box. Save your money and avoid more expensive, cutting edge cameras. Just figure that these things only have a life of 4-5 years and when it is time to trade in you can easily afford cutting edge technology that will be 4-years old. It is just not worth spending more for technology that will be dirt cheap in a matter of time and possibly, broken.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good value, December 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony CCD-TRV68 Hi8 Camcorder (Electronics)

This is my second Sony 8mm Camcorder. I chose this to replace a 6 year old comparable model as I'm not yet ready to upgrade to a digital camera. I had a few observations about this product: First, I was suprised that it doesn't have stereo sound. This used to be standard in the Hi8 format. Second, it doesn't have a remote, a fact I did not discover until after purchase, despite extensive research. The remote greatly aids in playback and editing. Frankly, Sony was cheap to not include one. Third, the lens cap dangles from a string and gets in the way of operating the camera smoothly. My former camera had a built in lens cap which was much easier to use. You'd turn on the camera and it opened! On the other hand, the newer options are delightful! The steady shot image stabilization is worth every penny. The built in light helps correct so many color distortions and is far less cumbersome than attaching an accessory light on an attached shoe (which then blocked the LCD screen), and the night shot is just so cool. Overall, I'm quite happy with the picture quality. The TRV 68 is a good value overall for the price. It has a few features which enchance picture quality tremendously. I just think that Sony was a little stingy with the extra doodads to sway buyers to consider going digital.