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Sony DCR TRV38
Sony DCR TRV38
  • 3 out of 5
"BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
  • 4 out of 5
"Great Camera, good quality, Good price."
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Question Answered!
Fab Kat (FabKat) 0 pts
September 2, 2007 1:21 PM
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Upgrade advice from Sony DCR-TRV38

I have a Sony DCR-TRV38 and am thinking about upgrading to a similar HD camera. I am using the camcorder for video podcasts and video shorts. I want to be able to edit the video my Mac. Any advice on the best version to get? Should I keep what I have or upgrade?
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This question is also associated with Sony HDR-HC3.

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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58443 pts
September 3, 2007 12:55 PM
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Well, MAC compatibility is dicey at best. I do know that with the optional dock, the HC96 does get firewire capability which allows it to be captured by the MAC. But that's an additional expense on your part. It's not HD mind you, but it is miniDV and a Sony.

HD wise ... the new mac iMovie has AVCHD support and you can get an AVCHD plugin for final cut pro. The trick though, is that if you pick one that only uses USB 2.0, you're stuck.

The HDR-HC3 may be a good choice. HD, firewire output, image stabilization, 2 lux. The HC5 is a step above that as well.
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Fab Kat (FabKat) 0 pts
September 12, 2007 8:08 PM
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Thanks for your response. I don't understand exactly what you are saying but it sounds like I may be Ok keeping the older Sony I have now. It is Mac compatible and has worked well for me. HD may not be worth it!
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58443 pts
September 13, 2007 12:05 AM
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Oh believe me, HD is worth it. But it's still too expensive in my view. I just don't think it's ready for the mainstream consumer because of market saturation of HD. As such, it's purely the domain of professionals and early adopters who don't mind investing a good deal of cash to be the first ones to use the latest. That's changing mind you. As we head towards 2009 (the year that Uncle Sam has mandated for moving television broadcast into the HD spectrum), prices have dropped dramatically this year on HD televisions (from $8K to just over $1K), but let's not forget that you'd also need an HD capable editing software, HD DVD burner, HD dvd player, etc. And you need to unlearn and relearn how to shoot HD. And how many friends and family are actually investing in HD at the moment? Sharing HD DVDs with them will be a problem. So, for at least the next 6 months to a year, HD is still out of reach. But it won't be for long.

Well, my beef about HD is that market saturation just isn't there yet. And in buying an HD camera, you have to also upgrade to an HDTV, HD DVD player, HD DVD burner and use expensive HD DVD media. And since there's yet another petty and rediculous format war going on between HD DVD and Blue Ray, which one do you get? And that also has an issue with what others have. All this, and the fact that HD is still the purvue of the early adopter has prices very expensive and it all adds up.

But this is all changing very rapidly and my bet is you'll be ready for HD when you're looking to buy your NEXT camcorder, not this one.
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Fab Kat (FabKat) 0 pts
September 13, 2007 9:46 AM
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James,

Thanks! That is extremely helpful. I would rather wait before buying all those HD components when they come down in price too. For now, my mini DV is just fine! Thanks again!
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58443 pts
September 13, 2007 1:13 PM
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You bet Fab. And it's not only for you, but what's the point in investing in HD now when most of your friends and family haven't? You can't share all that HD joy until the market saturation makes it common place.
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