Sony Handycam CCD-TRV128: Test Footage

The Sony Handycam CCD-TRV128 was released in 2004 with the CCD-TRV228, CCD-TRV328, CCD-TRV428 for analog models, and DCR-TRV260 and DCR-TRV265 for Digital8 models. This line of camcorders was Sony's last stand for their 8mm tape format, and it marked the end of an era in video recording technology. The last of Sony's Hi8 and Digital8 camcorders were manufactured in 2007, four years after they were released.
The video from this camcorder has to be some of the poorest I've seen out of a Hi8 model. It's so bad that I was hesitant to upload the test footage because I honestly thought something might have been wrong with the camera or the tape. I must note that I did NOT import the video via the S-Video jack, but rather through the composite, this may have a minimal negative effect on the video quality. That being said, the video still looks worse than what the S-Video could provide. Another important note: This camera doesn't have any image stabilization (that was included in the higher end versions), so zooming is even a no-go.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Image Sensor: 1/6 inch CCD image sensor
Total Pixel Count: 320,000 Total Pixels
Effective Pixel Count: 200,000 Effective Pixels
F: 1.6-2.4
Focal Distance: 2.5-50mm (42-840mm for 35mm conversion)
Filter: 37mm Thread
Optical Zoom: 20x
Digital Zoom: 990x
Minimum Illumination: 1 Lux
Viewfinder: Black and White, 90,000 pixels
LCD: 2.5 inch Color LCD with 123,000 pixels
______________________________________________
Supplied Accessories:
AC-L15 Power Adaptor
NP-FM30 Battery
Mono A/V Cable
Lens Cap
Shoulder Strap
Camcorders on Reddit: / camcorders

[@vaporinsider]

This camera records as if it were released 10 years earlier than its actual release date.

[@Joscraft_05]

Even cameras 10 years earlier of the release date of this camera had better quality. (Talking about Video 8 and especially Hi8 cameras from early 90s) VHS cameras had the same quality of this camera if i'm not wrong. I have photos of a video from my city in the 90s and the quality is incredibly bad I think it was recorded with a poor full size VHS camera.

[@Baer9471]

@@Joscraft_05how tf r u everywhere, joscraft 💀

[@SnepperStepTV]

Everyone else is complaining about the video quality and i guess i'd be let down when its new and i expected something cleaner, but its got a real vibe to it and i'd be pleased to get it from a $5 thrift shop find.

[@Baer9471]

The video quality is worse than earlier Hi8 cameras. I own one from 1995, probably makes video better than this

[@thelasttime684]

this was from a model released in 2004? looks like it's from a '98 camera, loving the vintage vibe

[@FatCatTech]

Would you believe these things were sold up until 2007? Sometimes the perspective on "old" technology is really strange xD

[@KongGig]

@@FatCatTech 2007? The same year that hd cameras started to get cheaper.

[@Joscraft_05]

@@FatCatTech The perspective is so strange that Full HD 1920x1080 is 30 years old since it was 1080i in early HD equipment in the 90s. (Even Sony started this with their first HD analog format in the late 80s). Some years ago I couldn't believe Full HD 1920x1080 it was 30 years old.

[@saadvon]

I don’t know anything about videography, so what’s it called at 1:23 where the out of focus light is triangulating, it’s so pretty

[@FatCatTech]

Sorry, I'm not sure what the term for it is. I just find a random scene and zoom way into it lol, and the result is a blurry background. I've always found it fascinating when it's done with older cameras.

[@ayedilla8200]

I believe it’s called bokeh

[@graverobshawty]

I just got one of these and a jvc gr d30u off of ebay i hope they work cus this camera quality is exactly what ive been looking for

[@Nantawat_Kittiwarakul]

Sony reached the peak of their video 8 format in early 2000's with their "Digital8" camcorder lineup. Anything beyond that seems to be the downhill trip ever since. Feels like that Sony only want to clear up their remaining raw parts of video8 camera, and here comes such a (poorly made) late camcorder model like this.

[@TheAlliconicOne]

I love the widescreen feature on this camcorder. Makes me wonder if the Sony ccd trv328 has this particular feature.

[@KongGig]

I wish old tape camcorders could get the same return as polaroid cameras and film cameras. Because they really have a special form of retro wibes, which can not be recreated. Let say they make the return of Camcorders with their tapes..May it be Vhs, Mm8 or others. But with two new features. sd slot and usb port.

[@SnepperStepTV]

They are, i've noticed. You can buy new tapes, you just don't have all the pretentious goons who are trying to get the same thing out of the old tech as their phone camera gives them. They miss the entire point, you use this stuff because its not 4k or your phone. Modernity is pointless, if you want the vibe, you use the real hardware. You can't play a ROM like you do a real copy of pokemon on a gameboy color. Take the plunge and learn to live without the "convenience" silicon valley insists you can't survive without and gladly charge you out the nose for.

[@user-fg2us2hi8u]

I purchased this same camera. I am wondering how were you able to transfer the video to a computer. Did you use a specific cable or combination of cables?

[@dylanhills7625]

I love you!

[@horrortimeproductions5504]

It's about as bad like the Hitachi DVD camera's image sensor. I actually own a similar Hi8 camcorder, the previous owner used a Video8 tape. It was also recorded in LP mode, I couldn't tell apart peoples faces filmed with it. Lol!

[@FatCatTech]

I've not gotten a Hitachi camcorder yet, should get around to that sooner or later xD It's kind of a shame, really. I number of Sony's earlier Hi8 and Video8 models were really great (for their time). I guess they were focusing more on their MiniDV lineup though, makes a little bit of sense from a business perspective, albeit still disappointing. I was so taken aback by how bad this model was that I honestly though something was wrong with either it or the tape Lol

[@horrortimeproductions5504]

I thought the same thing with my CCD-TRV328, it didn't matter what tape I used. The Maxell XR-Metal Hi8 tapes usually do the trick, but not with this camcorder. My DCR-TRV280 seems to do better, it looks almost identical but it's Digital8 and not Hi8. With that being said, Sony's last Hi8 camcorders had the worst image sensors. xD

[@NaughtyNard1991]

Do you know the difference between the CCD-TRV128, 228, 328, and 428? I want one of these cameras but I don’t know which one I should get

[@Joscraft_05]

@@horrortimeproductions5504 The Digital 8 variants of these last Hi8 cameras where a game changer. They had way better quality and was way more reliable than the last Hi8 cameras from Sony. I don't see a problem for anyone who was using a Hi8 good camera from 90s or a miniDV/Digital 8 camera even in 2008-2010. Me and my family used our D8 DCR-TRV255E camera until 2010-2011 and one time in 2015.

[@NiiminTV]

This might sound weird but whats the best kind of tape for a really 90s look from this camera?

[@FatCatTech]

This model can only take Video8 and Hi8 tapes, but between the two, Video8 will offer slightly lower video quality. I suppose that one would work best if that's the aesthetic you're going for. However, I would also suggest simply buying an actual 90s Handycam from eBay xD

[@System6VideoProductions]

I have this same camera! All I need is to know how to get the footage to put it onto a computer or disc

[@FatCatTech]

I have a video about how I do that! It's a pretty convoluted process for what it is, though.

[@System6VideoProductions]

Oh thank you! I’ll check it out

[@arlan2008ph]

can i used Hi-8 camera to play footages captured from Digital-8?

[@FatCatTech]

From what I know, Hi8 camcorders cannot play Digital8 footage

[@arlan2008ph]

@@FatCatTech thank you, I also got the same answer from the Sony website just awhile ago.. I have Digital 8 camcorder but it is already defective and it is hard to find used Digital 8 camera from facebook marketplace, I still have footages that needs to be transferred to digital (mp4) format. While Sony Hi8 camcorder I think there are around 5 facebook user who are selling their Sony Hi8 with model DCR-TRV138..

[@r4yvenxmusic_official]

please show us how did u digitalize it 🙏🙏..am begging u sir😭😭🙏🙏

[@juanmiguelrivera5136]

was this filmed in the midwest or eastern US?

[@FatCatTech]

Eastern US, Washington DC area

[@alanvanallen7762]

Yes ,agree,that video quality is not good,to say the least,I got better pictures out my early 90's Sony CCD F-455 and it was video8,which I still have,but unfortunately not working,bad caps I think,smells bad when turned on.

[@amzy_g]

6:46 😶

[@Ciggy810]

Does this model record audio in stereo or mono? I had the trv-138... recorded mono 😕

[@FatCatTech]

This model records in mono

[@scottscoville1118]

@@FatCatTech thank you

[@MsNineee]

How do you digitalize the video recorded on this camera?

[@FatCatTech]

I made a video about my digitizing process, viewable here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZjLc3mOndZpnbc

[@beck3543]

How did you digitalize this film?

[@FatCatTech]

I made a video detailing my process here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZjLc3mOndZpnbc The quick answer is that there's a number of different ways, the most common of which is a USB capture card called "EasyCap". While I do not use these devices for videos such as this one, they can sometimes deliver similar results. I've had strange issues with the videos coming from those not working with Vegas Pro sometimes though, so if you use Vegas, I'd suggest opting for a different route.

[@Memerbrick]

Can it playback video8 tapes

[@FatCatTech]

Yes

[@fuosdi64]

Just bought this camera! 😂

[@Xvslife]

i need some help how did u tranfer the footage from ur camera to ur pc for this

[@graverobshawty]

U need an analog video digitizer

[@Xvslife]

@@graverobshawtyi figured out how to solve it along time ago thank u tho

[@GRAELskt]

hi8 tape or 8mm?

[@FatCatTech]

This camcorder can use both Hi8 or Video8 tapes.

[@modepush]

how did you get the video to that aspect ratio

[@FatCatTech]

The program I used to deinterlace the video tends to contort the aspect ratio a little bit. If I remember correctly, most of this video was recorded in the camera's 16:9 mode.

[@modepush]

@@FatCatTech thanks! what tape did you use?

[@HenriqueNevesBarbosa]

Goodnight. Can you record your videos by means of a memory other than a cassette?

[@FatCatTech]

The CCD-TRV128 can only record to Hi8 or Video8 tapes

[@HenriqueNevesBarbosa]

@@FatCatTech Thanks