Please help me out at DVinfo.net

Jeremy Malheim · December 27th, 2003, 01:09 AM

I know the old salts get sick of this question, but I am wondering if you can help me out. I am trying to decide between the Canon Optura Xi and the Sony DCR-TRV 80. They are priced about the same, and their features only vary a little bit. I am not crazy about the bottom loading but I just can't justify the money on a GL2 right now. Mostly I am going to be using it for home videos, with the possiblities of making some short films of my own. Digital stills are not a concern, as I already have another digital camera. Any help you can offer would be great. Thanks in advance!

Jeremy

BTW I did read through the other threads talking about the Optura.

Frank Granovski · December 27th, 2003, 02:04 AM

Why the TRV80? Why not the TRV70? (bluetooth-free)

I think the Xi overall is the better cam. Read Tom's and Allan's reviews.

Shawn Mielke · December 27th, 2003, 04:11 AM

I think I agree with Frank.
Much improved 1chip color, goo d manual controls.
Not great in low light? Sonys not great either.

Jeremy Malheim · December 27th, 2003, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the start guys. After reading those reviews, the Panasonic 953 is a real player. Hmmmm. I guess it is between the Xi and the 953.

Shawn Mielke · December 27th, 2003, 02:20 PM

As far as I'm concerned, the dv953 is THE entry level camcorder, period.
After that, the trv950.
After that, the PDX10.........

Shawn Mielke · December 27th, 2003, 03:21 PM

Japanese menus sound to be worth braving in the GS100, an improvement on the 953. Accessories more difficult to get?

Frank Granovski · December 27th, 2003, 04:19 PM

>Accessories more difficult to get?<

No. Just go through Allan or Tim. I think that Tim is back in Japan now.

Ron Evans · December 28th, 2003, 10:23 AM

IF you want to use on a tripod it would be better to get a camcorder with Lanc control for variable speed zoom. That sort of limits you to the Sony's or high end Canon. Also on a tripod you are better with a top load cam. TRV950 , Gl2. The Panasonic 953 has a wired remote but I don't believe it has a variable speed controller.

Ron

Jeremy Malheim · December 28th, 2003, 10:08 PM

Well the Panasonic DV953 is on the way. I know it is tradition to hand out cigars when you are a new father, but you guys will have to understand it is tough on the net. ;-)

Shawn Mielke · December 28th, 2003, 10:56 PM

Can I be it's favorite uncle and take it motorcycling on weekends? ;-]
Congratulations! Let us know what you think.

Jeremy Malheim · January 1st, 2004, 04:42 PM

MY CAMERA CAME! Actually, it was here yesterday. I haven't really had a chance to play with it yet. I just put everything together, loaded up the software on my computer and starting reading the manual. Dang work. Hopefully I will get some time in the next few days.

John Gaspain · January 1st, 2004, 07:48 PM

Cool!,

be sure to checkout the Panasonic DV / MX series Assistant forums. and for an NLE I recommend Vegas- it works very well with the DV953.

Have fun!

December 27th, 2003, 01:09 AM	#1
Jeremy Malheim New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fargo, North Dakota Posts: 17	Please help me out I know the old salts get sick of this question, but I am wondering if you can help me out. I am trying to decide between the Canon Optura Xi and the Sony DCR-TRV 80. They are priced about the same, and their features only vary a little bit. I am not crazy about the bottom loading but I just can't justify the money on a GL2 right now. Mostly I am going to be using it for home videos, with the possiblities of making some short films of my own. Digital stills are not a concern, as I already have another digital camera. Any help you can offer would be great. Thanks in advance! Jeremy BTW I did read through the other threads talking about the Optura.

December 27th, 2003, 04:11 AM	#3
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	I think I agree with Frank. Much improved 1chip color, goo d manual controls. Not great in low light? Sonys not great either. __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

December 27th, 2003, 02:20 PM	#5
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	As far as I'm concerned, the dv953 is THE entry level camcorder, period. After that, the trv950. After that, the PDX10......... __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

December 27th, 2003, 03:21 PM	#6
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	Japanese menus sound to be worth braving in the GS100, an improvement on the 953. Accessories more difficult to get? __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

December 28th, 2003, 10:56 PM	#10
Shawn Mielke Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 745	Can I be it's favorite uncle and take it motorcycling on weekends? ;-] Congratulations! Let us know what you think. __________________ Breakthrough In Grey Room

December 27th, 2003, 02:04 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Why the TRV80? Why not the TRV70? (bluetooth-free) I think the Xi overall is the better cam. Read Tom's and Allan's reviews.

December 27th, 2003, 06:41 AM	#4
Jeremy Malheim New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fargo, North Dakota Posts: 17	Thanks for the start guys. After reading those reviews, the Panasonic 953 is a real player. Hmmmm. I guess it is between the Xi and the 953.

December 27th, 2003, 04:19 PM	#7
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	>Accessories more difficult to get?< No. Just go through Allan or Tim. I think that Tim is back in Japan now.

December 28th, 2003, 10:23 AM	#8
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	IF you want to use on a tripod it would be better to get a camcorder with Lanc control for variable speed zoom. That sort of limits you to the Sony's or high end Canon. Also on a tripod you are better with a top load cam. TRV950 , Gl2. The Panasonic 953 has a wired remote but I don't believe it has a variable speed controller. Ron

December 28th, 2003, 10:08 PM	#9
Jeremy Malheim New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fargo, North Dakota Posts: 17	Well the Panasonic DV953 is on the way. I know it is tradition to hand out cigars when you are a new father, but you guys will have to understand it is tough on the net. ;-)

January 1st, 2004, 04:42 PM	#11
Jeremy Malheim New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fargo, North Dakota Posts: 17	MY CAMERA CAME! Actually, it was here yesterday. I haven't really had a chance to play with it yet. I just put everything together, loaded up the software on my computer and starting reading the manual. Dang work. Hopefully I will get some time in the next few days.

January 1st, 2004, 07:48 PM	#12
John Gaspain Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: WA-USA Posts: 371	Cool!, be sure to checkout the Panasonic DV / MX series Assistant forums. and for an NLE I recommend Vegas- it works very well with the DV953. Have fun! __________________ The glory of the World passes by.