• Hi8 camcorder

• 20x optical and 28x digital zoom lens with image stabilization

• 2.5-inch color LCD and black and white EVF

• Uses the Sony NP-F330 InfoLithium battery, included

• Includes A/V cable; includes a number of special effects and faders for custom creations

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.

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 found the following review helpful:


A good value  Dec 19, 2001
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.

15 of 15 found the following review helpful:


tlyonker  Nov 18, 2001
This is the third video camera I have owned. The first was a Minolta, the second a Sharp. This is by far the best I have owned. The picture is crystal clear, the batteries last a good long time and recharge quickly, and the price was reasonable. The quality of the camera is excellent, the features are wonderful, love the night shot feature and the built-in light for darkness. What a terrific idea!

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:


Best Buy for the Money  Feb 24, 2002 By Mike Thomas
I am very pleased with the overall quality of picture with such a decent price tag. I finally committed to buying one with a less than $400 budget. Drawbacks are 2 hour battery life, upgrade is about ($$) bucks after including a quick charger, BUT I have not drained it yet and it charges quickly (4 hours). The steadyshot must work great because I feel that I am shaking like a leaf yet the picture is relatively stable. I wanted to be able to download video to my PC for editing and unfortunately realized that it requires another component (Dazzle Video kit - ($$). Also, the lens cap gets in the way, I plan on replacing the tether with a longer one to keep it away from your hand grip. It accepts filters for UV, etc. and were less than ($$) bucks. Overall good choice.

See all 15 customer reviews on Amazon.com