Sony TR-101: Still Any Good ??

[Bob Snelgrove]

I was thinking of upgrading to digital but it still looks pretty fine to me
:) Are these still considered good camcorders by today's standards?

th
bob

[Steve McDonald]

You should hope to have a small, single-CCD digital camcorder that
had a camera section as good as the Sony TR101. It was a revolutionary
camera when it was introduced and many broadcast crews used it for
special shots in tight or dangerous places. This model and the TR700
and the pro model EVO-150TR, were in a class by themselves and if anyone
has one that is still working, they are fortunate. No matter what sort
of advanced camcorder you may get, the TR101 will always make a good
backup.

Any thoughts by anyone why Sony doesn't have a DV or Digital8
camcorder with this type of camera section, today? Actually, they did
for a short while, as their first DV model, the VX700, used what was
essentially the same type and quality of lens and camera as the earlier
Hi-8 TR700. But, they discontinued it before a year had passed and
since have had nothing but cheaper, electronically-stabilized single-CCD
models.

Steve McDonald

[Barry Comer]

How did the TR600 compare with the TR700?

"Steve McDonald" <bigroc...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:29089-396...@storefull-144.iap.bryant.webtv.net...

[Steve McDonald]

The TR600 and also the TR500 and TR400 were not in the same class
as the TR101 and TR700. These 3 models in between were relapses in
quality that Sony tried out, before they redeemed themselves with the
TR700. After that, of course, there was a steady backsliding, which
brings us to the sad state of 1/4", electronically-stabilized,
single-CCD camcorders of today.

Steve McDonald

[Tom]

Hi Steve,

What are the technical differences between the 600 and 700?
I have a 600 that still serves well - minus the creaky zoom rocker.
And, if you had to pick between the 101 and 700 - which? Thanks.

In article <17239-39...@storefull-146.iap.bryant.webtv.net>,

[R. Geoff Baker]

> > The TR600 and also the TR500 and TR400 were not in the same class
> > as the TR101 and TR700. These 3 models in between were relapses in
> > quality that Sony tried out, before they redeemed themselves with the
> > TR700. After that, of course, there was a steady backsliding, which
> > brings us to the sad state of 1/4", electronically-stabilized,
> > single-CCD camcorders of today.

I owned a TR-101 & still have a TR-500 in my kit -- the 101 was fine but lacked
the Lithium Ion batteries found on the 500, as well as the colour viewfinder.
All in all the TR-500 seems a fine camera that outperforms most of the current
offerings in Hi8.

I agree that the move towards ever-smaller imaging chips, EIS & scores of
digital effects have done nothing to advance the quality of camcorders and much
to degrade it. If you have a functional early model Hi8 with OIS, hang on to
it, and if it also uses modern batteries & a colour viewfinder ... there seems
little reason to move to a new model.

Cheers,
GB

[Steve McDonald]

The TR700 has a color viewfinder and the TR101 does not. Also,
the TR700 records and displays RC timecode, while although the TR101
records timecode automatically, it is unable to display it on its data
screen, nor can it put the TC on an output signal. However, to the
surprise of many TR101 owners, if they put a TR101-recorded tape in a
VCR or camcorder capable of displaying RC timecode, the timecode will
show. Sony never made this TR101 capability known, probably because of
the lack of TC-display ability. The same partial TC-capability also
exists in the pro model EVO-150TR.

I can't recall exactly all the features of the TR400, TR500 and
TR600. I do know that one or two of them used an early version of
electronic image stabilization, which was a detracting feature from the
superior OIS of the TR101 and TR700. If you guys have all these
models, why not post a list of these important features, so those of us
who are stuck on such obscure historical details, will know the facts.

Steve McDonald

[Don Enderton]

Steve, pardon my ignorance: is the TR101 Hi-8, or digital? I assume Hi-8
from what I read in this string, but it sounds as though image quality was
superior in some ways to current digital 8s.

[Steve McDonald]

Yes, the Sony CCD-TR101 was a Hi-8 model.
It was the first sub-mini Hi-8 camcorder to have optical image
stabilization, when it came out in
about 1992. Not to be confused with the earlier and larger CCD-V101
Hi-8 camcorder. Both will produce greatly superior pictures to any
Digital8 Model, that is now being sold. If Sony would show a sensible
response for a change, to the American market demand, they would put a
high-quality CCD and OIS in an upgraded Digital8 model, and watch its
sales skyrocket.

Steve McDonald

[John Taylor]

Having just won bid on a TR-101 over at eBay (with 2 batteries, looking to be in clean condition,) I'm wondering what maintenance might be in
order. I got the unit for $215, and don't want to throw away that money anytime soon. Also... I saw some reference to this unit being used
with S-video, and presumed that it must have a S-video I/O. Is that not accurate? Please reply to falc...@bigfoot.com as I'm less than likely
to be checking back here right away.

Thanks!

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[Steve McDonald]

The Sony TR101, circa 1992 and the TR700, are the two best consumer
camcorders ever made, considering price, size, picture quality and
versatility. It is definitely worth fixing up and maintaining, if
possible. But, they will all die of old age eventually and the cost of
repairing a heavily-used one, may be too high.

Steve McDonald