Shortly after my son was born we realized that a camcorder was needed along with our trusty Nikon 4500 to capture the moments. I knew nothing about camcorders. I found that my wish to use the camcorder with a pc complicated the decision. After a month of researching I decided on the Sony DCRTRV19. After reading all the online opinions to get me here, I figured I owed one myself.

Here's what I wanted in a camcorder:
1. Digital media for better archiving and future projects.
2. Great image quality but not professional.
3. Did not need still pictures or memory slots to capture them.
4. Did not need ability to archive old analog tapes.
5. I wanted good low light video quality.
6. I initially didn't want to spend more than $500.
7. Later I realized size was important.

I initially found the Sony DCRTRV250 on Amazon that met all but the last criteria. I found the DCRTRV250's didn't use the miniDV format, but the Digital8 increasing it's bulk. Initially I felt I could live with the size and I would transfer everything to my pc anyways. I'd also save some money.

I decided to look into some miniDV cameras at around the same price as the Sony DCRTRV250. I got excited about the Samsung SDC27, JVC GRD30, Panasonic PVDV53, and Sharp VLZ3U. In Consumer Reports and other references, I read that either their video quality was only good (Sony was very good) and/or their low light video quality was poor.

While reading the reviews on the miniDV camcorders, I learned a lot about transferring video to a pc. I almost got fed up and got a Hi8 camera and a stack of tapes. There were many "this software sucks" complaints. Here's what I learned on the video to pc process:

1. Most the camcorders I looked at allow for video transfer via USB. Transfers via USB however are slower and result in poorer video quality on your pc.
2. Transfer via Firewire is the way to go for speed and higher video quality.
3. You need to have or get a Firewire card for your desktop or laptop.
4. You need software that recognizes your camcorder. If your operating system regularly retrieves automatic updates, this shouldn't be a problem. Most people had this issue related to video transfers, not still images.
5. Most video editing software bundled in with the camcorder is worthless.
6. I figured that my videos will take up lots of computer memory.

So you can see what a can of worms you open by wanting to transfer your camcorder videos to a pc. For me I will need a Firewire, Firewire card, video editing software, dvd burner and bigger or external hard drive. For some reason the iMac kept popping in my head.

I nearly went back to the bulky DCRTRV250. In the end I concluded that with a smaller camcorder, I'll more likely bring it along to random events and capture more of my son growing up. This justified spending a little more on the smaller Sony DCRTRV19. One more factor I like is that fewer people will notice me filming.


Excellent image quality for the price   May 2, 2003
S. Webster (Novato, CA United States)
46 out of 47 found this review helpful

I was looking for a MiniDV camcorder that was small, easy to hold, with the best image and sound quality I could afford. I didn't want still picture recording, MPEG recording, a memory stick, or any of that other stuff that a digital still camera does better, and which just jacks up the camcorder's price.

After trying low-end JVC, Panasonic, Sharp, and Sony models, I settled on the Sony TRV19: it has the best image quality by far of all the low-end MiniDV cameras, and meets my other criteria as well. Only thing that's less than stellar is the sound: the stereo separation is good, but I hear camera motor noise occasionally on playback. This is endemic to low-end cameras, and no worse in the Sony than others I've tried, so I'm OK with it. This model has a hotshoe for an external mic, so I have an out if I need it.

I've shot about 6 hours so far, all handheld, and I'm very happy with this model.


Incredible Value   August 16, 2003
Lucchese (the Sierras)
54 out of 58 found this review helpful

Extremely well done - top to bottom.

NOTE for Macintosh Users: Cannot interface via USB. But no worries, a FireWire cable makes the camcorder totally Mac-compatible. Must get a "4-to-6-pin Thin FireWire cable" and use the iLink DV interface on camcorder. After you have this $8 cable, everything is pretty easy. An hour later we were editing video clips in iMovie. (The included USB cable is useless for Macintosh.)


Sony's Little Wonder!   June 17, 2003
M. Scalise (Temecula, CA USA)
31 out of 33 found this review helpful

The first thing I moticed when taking this camcorder out of the box was it's size. It's soooooo small!! And light weight too...which means for those of us who tire of wighty hand-held video cameras....no problem here. You barely even know it is in your hand. Picture quality is good for a single chip, entry level MiniDV....audio is standard built in stereo mic quality. For a while it was a toss up between this camcorder and the JVC line. But I have always liked what Sony produces...and they always come out ahead in low light tests.
The one thing I am still not 100% comfortable with is the fact the menu is a touch screen on the LCD. I still prefer to have actual buttons...but it does save space on the unit. I have always been one to never touch the LCD screen if I don't have to. Now I have too!! Maybe I will use a dull object to do so. Don't want oils from my skin marring the image on the LCD.
Speaking of the LCD...it is great indoors but outdoors difficult to see the image as well...hoping to be able to compensate with the brightness control.
All the opearting controls are right where they need to be when the camcorder is in your hand. It is comfortable and easy to use...right out of the box...thanks to factory defaults settings. Cost is a bit more than others at this level, but I think in the end it is a good choice.


Awesome!!!   April 26, 2003
25 out of 26 found this review helpful

the sony camcorder has got it all! well not really but as far as video quality its awesome! lots of camcorders out there struggle with low light performance but sony is really good when it comes to this. Although sonys are expensive they are worth your money! I would suggest trying to upgrade to the sony trv22 which is only 100 bucks more.....with the upgrade you get memory stick slot, color viewfinder, and analog to digital convertor! Anyway, focusing on this camcorder---haha. its really compact. You can hold it with one definitely. the LCD is pretty good. I like that you can use it as a Webcam using your USB (a port on most pcs) and you can also use it to edit movies using firewire (another port). It also has a place for putting video lights and microphone which is neat.