Customer Reviews

Sony DCRTRV25 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/ 2.5" LCD, MPEG EX, Memory Stick & Mega Pixel Video/ Still

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After researching for 1 month on camcorders, I finally chose the Sony DCR-TRV25 for several reasons.
1) It records in 690,000 pixels (520 lines of horizontal resolution)
2) Megapixel on still photo shots (1152 X 864 instead of 640 x 480)
3) Its size (very small but not too small so you don't jitter the camera)
4) Its ability to record streaming video (to put on my website)
5) 7 lux rating / 0 lux with night shot
6) Color viewfinder
7) optional manual control on brightness, backlight and focus

Others that I looked at had 1 or more of the feautres missing (like still photo of 640x480 or CCD pixels of 480,000).. so in the end, I found this to be the best priced camcorder for the money ...(Only difference I see in TRV27 is that TRV27 comes with some editing tools... (which I won't use anyways). I also looked at the TRV17 which had everything I wanted expect it's photo resolution was at 640X480.

Video Editing with P-III, 450mhz, 256 mem, Windows XP with firewire port was a breeze. Just install the firewire card and load the drivers.

You transfer still shots via the usb port. Its very easy to do. Just plug in the USB cable (it comes with one) and you will see "Sony Digital Camera" on "My computer" Just drag and drop your photos into a folder.

Although the color and sharpness of this camera is amazing, my only gripe is that the video and stills gets grainy with low light. So I'd suggest you buy a light for the camera if you plan on doing a lot of indoor shots (or at least make sure you have a good light source.)

I also recommend you buy 1) UV filter lens (mostly to protect the camcorder's lens) 2) 32MB or 64MB memory stick (instead of the 8mb it comes with) 3) Wide angle lens 4) carrying case 5) Extra battery (the one it comes with lasts about an hour)

Even if you don't buy this camcorder, after all my research, I would stick with Sony or Panasonic camcorders (they seem to get the best reviews)

I'm not a Sony fan but I'm impressed by this great camera. Before buying this camcorder it was so important for me to find reviews about it on the Internet. After I got it I was thinking several times to write my own review but as usual you always don't have time for that. Then I said that's not fair. I know how important was for me to find the reviews (thanks to everybody who wrote a review and helped me reach the final decision). And I know also that right now many guys are searching the Internet looking for new reviews. So it's my turn to pay back ...
I did my research on the Internet for about one year until I decided to buy this camcorder. Actually I wanted the TRV27 and I changed my mind in the last moment because the difference in price between these two models in too big ... I don't regret my decision. The 2.5" LCD is just enough for us.
TRV25 is not very good in low light but also it's not bad too. It's just good. After reading some reviews on the Internet I was expecting actually the camcorder to be even worst in low light. It's OK but I'm considering to buy a external light.
In good light the camcorder is amazing! Very good resolution (I have a digital HDTV which lets me know immediately if the signal is not good), very nice life-like colors, extremely clear and clean sound!
I had no problem at all to hook up TRV25 on the USB port (I have Windows 2000 professional). Then I got a Zoltrix FireWire card and I couldn't see the camcorder with it. I called Sony and Microsoft and I sent an email to Zoltrix in Hong Kong (no answer back yet). They couldn't help me too much. Sony said that you don't need any special Sony drivers for TRV25. It's true but the general DV driver I had in my Win2K was bad. If you have problems with your FireWire connection you may try the following links: http://www.reactorcritical.com/faq-dv/faq-jvc.shtml and http://www.siig.com/knowledge/10050286.HTM. Now I'm fine. The Zoltrix card is working fine and smooth and the cable (comes with the card) is long so you don't have to stay with your camera underneath you desk. Price paid (for card, cable and software): $51 CDN +Tax.
My problem now is that I couldn't find yet the best solution to store the footage. Hopefully I'll be able to find the right settings in KVCD (http://kvcd.org). To store the footage on VHS tapes is out of question! From my camcorder I'm getting a nice 520 lines and if I store this on VHS I'll have at the end just 240 horizontal lines! Where is the point of spending so much money for a digital camcorder then? So far using the KVCD the colors are good, sound is good, the resolution is good (704 x 480) - much better than VCD (352 x 240) or SVCD (480 x 480) (check http://www.vcdhelp.com ). The only problem is that the image is not smooth. It looks like I'm loosing frames. That happens only when the camera is moving fast to the left or to the right. ...
I love my camcorder and of course I recommend it to anybody. If you are shopping for a camcorder go digital first and second give a chance to Sony TRV25/27 and you'll fall in love.
Good luck!

I'm not a Sony fan but I'm impressed by this great camera. Before buying this camcorder it was so important for me to find reviews about it on the Internet. After I got it I was thinking several times to write my own review but as usual you always don't have time for that. Then I said that's not fair. I know how important was for me to find the reviews (thanks to everybody who wrote a review and helped me reach the final decision). And I know also that right now many guys are searching the Internet looking for new reviews. So it's my turn to pay back ...
I did my research on the Internet for about one year until I decided to buy this camcorder. Actually I wanted the TRV27 and I changed my mind in the last moment because the difference in price between these two models in too big [price] - for this money I can get a lot of accessories). I don't regret my decision. The 2.5" LCD is just enough for us.
TRV25 is not very good in low light but also it's not bad too. It's just good. After reading some reviews on the Internet I was expecting actually the camcorder to be even worst in low light. It's OK but I'm considering to buy a external light.
In good light the camcorder is amazing! Very good resolution (I have a digital HDTV which lets me know immediately if the signal is not good), very nice life-like colors, extremely clear and clean sound!
I had no problem at all to hook up TRV25 on the USB port (I have Windows 2000 professional). Then I got a Zoltrix FireWire card and I couldn't see the camcorder with it. I called Sony and Microsoft and I sent an email to Zoltrix in Hong Kong (no answer back yet). They couldn't help me too much. Sony said that you don't need any special Sony drivers for TRV25. It's true but the general DV driver I had in my Win2K was bad. If you have problems with your FireWire connection you may try the following links: [URL's]. Now I'm fine. The Zoltrix card is working fine and smooth and the cable (comes with the card) is long so you don't have to stay with your camera underneath you desk. Price paid (for card, cable and software): [price].
My problem now is that I couldn't find yet the best solution to store the footage. Hopefully I'll be able to find the right settings in KVCD ([URL]). To store the footage on VHS tapes is out of question! From my camcorder I'm getting a nice 520 lines and if I store this on VHS I'll have at the end just 240 horizontal lines! Where is the point of spending so much money for a digital camcorder then? So far using the KVCD the colors are good, sound is good, the resolution is good (704 x 480) - much better than VCD (352 x 240) or SVCD (480 x 480) (check [URL]). The only problem is that the image is not smooth. It looks like I'm loosing frames. That happens only when the camera is moving fast to the left or to the right. If someone wants to help me here I appreciate that (damian_cristian@hotmail.com). Thanks.
Price paid [price].
People are complaining about how poor is the Sony support in US. I called Sony Canada, in less than 3 minutes I had on the line a technical person who was nice and I was satisfied with his answers. So Sony Canada seems to do a better job.
I got already these accessories: 4 Sony tapes, UV filter, Polarizing filter, Sony case, NP-QM71 battery, Zoltrix FireWire card (with cable and soft).
I'm looking forward to get the following accessories: a tripod, a bigger Memory Stick (I think 64Mb will be fine because you can get very nice pictures from the tape during play back - even they are just 640 x 480 they are good enough for email and, maybe I am wrong but for me a 640 x 480 capture from tape looks better than the same still image on Memory Stick at the same 640 x 480 resolution), and light (I will try first the 3Watts lamp and if is not enough I'll get the 10/20W lamp).
I love my camcorder and of course I recommended to anybody. If you are shopping for a camcorder go digital first and second give a chance to Sony TRV25/27 and you'll fall in love.
Good luck!
Cristian

I have been using this camcorder for some time now; I'm really impressed by this great camera.

Its features are remarkable and the quality is amazing. It is also the best priced camcorder for its features and quality.
The color and sharpness of this camera is fantastic, but the video and still photos are grainy with low light. So either you buy a light for the camera or make sure to have a good indoor light source.
Video Editing with this camcorder is really an easy enjoyable experience,
To get the best out of your camcorder, you will definitely need to add few accessories:
1 - One or two memory stick.
2 - One or two Extra batteries.
3 - A wide angle lens, which is very essential in some situations indoors as well as outdoors.
And, that is all what you need to enjoy you memories with your family and friends.

Sony brand name so no problem with quality. We went to Las Vegas & night shooting was too good. This has everything for indoor and outdoor shooting. It has good digital camera buit-in but you have to add memory stick (comes with 8MB). Only downturn is you have to use Sony's memory stick (money making tricks) We have Canon S30 digital camera in which you can use any memory stick.
But performance wise & features are too good. We LOVE it.

This is a great camera to have if you just want to have fun with making movies with a small budget. I have had this camera since Christmas and it has never been a dissapointment. My buddies and I make movies a lot, and we all agree that it is great. There are many features that they dont tell you about in the editorial review like frame recording for animation.(eg. toy soldiers, cartoons, etc.)If you do get this camera and want a good professional look to your movies, I recommend also getting the Pinnacle Studio Version 7 editing software. With it you can capture movies on your computer, edit them, add sound and picture effects, and transitions. Then it is recorded back onto your camera.

This is a great camcorder. It takes great video and sound and has some great features. My only complaint (although not a huge issue) is that without using the nightvision feature, the picture in low-light situations isn't great, but this is true with most camcorders.

Great camcorder. Excelent outdoor pictures and sound! Easy to use. Still indoor pictures somewhat grainy though.

We bought this camera two months ago and absolutely love it. It works great in low light conditions. It is compact enough and light enough to take anywhere. It is a great first camcorder for our family.

I am yet to find any restrictions with this camera and I use it five times a week. There are some downfalls though. The LCD screen is in color but the regular one is in black and white. I find the camera is only good if you have a mac. PC are impossible to use with any camera editing program. If your are a beginer iMovie is great. But if you are experinced Final Cut Pro 3 is the best money can buy, within [money]. It is around [money] but well worth it. This camera is the best I have ever used, as a family camera, and is my best pick as a movie editor and filmer.