@@vwestlife I went to that link i seen that video i was like omg wow he changed so much. But then again we all have wasn't it uxwbill was im guessing here he was about 25 or something when he did TH-cam I looked back on videos you had from smashing a camera to a stapler lol alot has changed oh and then smashing that cures motherboard i laught so hard when processor flew out. That was back when you got the red jetta I would think right?
I'm just gonna say, you're one of my favorite TH-camrs. I really love all the technology that you showcase and it really makes my day every time you post a video.
@@vwestlife No, it's 2 channel dolby digital audio! I have the GW66, I imported it from Canada when it was released, since it was so limited in the US. I can confirm it's stereo!
@@vwestlife Damn, really??? I haven't used it since I switched to my 4k Sony AX100 in 2014, so I'm curious to go back and listen now! Still one of my fav cams, I wish Sony kept releasing camcorders like this. Always loved this compact form factor.
@@vwestlife I used also have the Sony DCR-PC55, which was the smallest Mini DV camcorder ever made. The video quality was crappy, but boy was it fun to use and looked so sleek, especially in red!
I found this out for myself in comparing my Canon Legria HF-R506 with my Sony Handycam HDR-CX405. The Sony picked up good high-quality well-defined(and well-spread) stereo audio while the audio off the Canon, while okay, sound-quality-wise, lacked the stereo spread.
@@jamescollins6085 I haven't so much had noisy videos from my Canon videocamera, just a lack of stereo spread, i.e. a not-very-well defined stereo effect in spite of having stereo microphones below the camera lens. The Sony, on the other hand, gives a brilliant account of itself in the stereo audio department. So much so that my Sony camera is now my main camera while the Canon is now my secondary camera(for B-roll content)
From back in the day when people still used stand-alone camcorders, due to their higher quality. The iPhone 3GS, which was still very common in 2010, could only record 640 x 480 VGA video!
Welll, the average person at least. I still use a stand alone camera, for both video and pictures. I personally still prefer to use use a stand alone camera. A few reasons to why I prefer to use a stand alone camera is partly because of storage capacity, and also because I partly think most phones don't quite have the 1080p, or 4k recording quality that some if not most cameras have. Plus, you don't have to fully worry about the idea of dumping the video clips to a computer or indirectly dumping the video files to a computer through a online storage drive such as drop box or Google drive, on top if worrying about questionable Audio quality, or even having to mess around with with a external micro SD card too. Plus, I think it is just better that I carry around a dedicated camera too. On top of someone not cutting you off in the middle of recording something either. Plus, if you want to replace your phone or camera separately, you can do that too, which I find as another plus too, which I've gone through a few of both at Separate times.
Camcorders still have their uses, because typically they have a far reaching optical zoom, optical image stabilation, stereo audio recording and they are easier to hold steady than a phone... So if you like to shoot a lot of videos for vlogging or whatever, camcorder might be a good choice. Even VWestlife apparently uses a camcorder to shoot his videos. It's an easier and cheaper method than getting a DSLR rig like some fancypants vloggers do.. ;)
Earlier this week I watched Doug DeMuro. Right at the end 14:22 we see his cameraman using a proper camcorder th-cam.com/video/PX4fFUwD7tk/w-d-xo.html. What people don't realise is that the zoom on many phones is only digital.
@@BilisNegra Of course camcorders have better optics, it's pure physics... You can only fit a small lens in a phone, but stand-alone cameras don't have that limitation. Same thing with sensor size. That's why good cameras will always be better than any phone.
I don't know if you planned on keeping this cam-corder, but I gotta say, I actually think the quality is quite the upgrade from your current camera. The color balance is better, a bit sharper, and the audio quality is outstanding. I'd personally say that Sony is a keeper~!
This is amazing - in 2010 Sony also launched their first e-mount cameras, that also recordered in FHD, had APSc sized 16mpix sensors, had interchangable lens and were smaller...
@@mercuryoak2 A thing I don't understand is, why does he keep eating pasta, french fries and other typical crap as a diabetic, even though he can't even taste it..
Just because he has done videos about kitchen gadgets for making various foods doesn't mean he eats them every day. For example, LGR does videos about all kinds of unhealthy food on his LGR Foods channel and he actually looks healthier now than he did a few years ago. And even if you can't taste food you can still enjoy its texture.
Wow, LGR sent me your way and then you give a cameo to another one of my favorite tech channels (techmoan circa 2000 and something). The tech community on youtube is wholesome af and doesn't get enough recognition.
I've still got the TG3 and still use it occasionally. I have a hard time holding handycams. It just isn't comfortable for my wrist, so that's why i love pistol grip cameras. Now i film with a Sony A6300 and make use of the same tricks Techmoan spoke about, filming at stomach level and less people noticing so being able to film more obscurely. Also, a6300 looks like a small photocamera so even more advantage in filming with less people aware i do as they think i wait for taking a photo.
I am not that crazy about the form factor. Everything else seems like a class act, though. The lifespan of Sony's InfoLithium batteries is nothing less than extremely impressive. I've got some from the late 1990s that still perform very well.
Tru dat. I once bought a used Sony DCR PC100E in 2014 which came with it's original battery from 1998 and the battery STILL WORKED. Sure, it didn't hold a huge charge anymore but you could still record for a while with it.
I still use a sony HD SD card camcorder that gets about 4 hours one one battery. Still use it now as it has a zoom lens and half decent audio as well. Far more useful than a phone if you want to record something properly.
Thanks for this video and the Techmoan link where he showed his GR-DV1. My first camcorder I used in 2010 when I started uploading to TH-cam was a Sony HDR-XR550V, $1,150, which has the same menu and everything as yours (ID'd as optical stabilization)- just a different form factor. I used it for several hundred videos until the sound went bad in 2018 and I replaced it with a HDR-CX455, $400, just because it used the same V series infolithium batteries and I had several.
I saw MarkusPix's video too and instead of inspiring me to go used I went new and got a Sony FDR-AX33 with BOSS image stabilization. It works so well for me and I hope it'll help me step up my TH-cam game because, while I love my Sanyo Xacti VPC-2000HD, it's getting a little long in the tooth. It was touted on as the world's first full HD consumer camcorder in 2009. I may do a video on it. With my Sony.
Yes, that gray USB cable is the original one that Sony put in the box with every Handycam back then. It's great because its pretty soft and long, great to charge my PSP while playing
It kinda looks like a TITANIUM Bloggie. I really have a soft spot for camcorder from the time between 2007 and 2011 when everything suddenly went HD and consumer cameras made the transition tapeless recording using either built in HDDs or SDHC cards and either used MPEG2 or early versions of H264. Interesting it records interlaced SD resolution videos. Really awesome to get that MiniDV look out of it.
I still use my Sony NEX 5 mirrorless digital camera, which is from early 2011. It also has GPS and AVCHD video recording, but in 1920x1440 (interlaced, PAL 50Hz region). Instead of memory sticks, it uses SD-cards and is even able to read newer 128GB ones without problems. It's still a perfectly fine camera. The only problem with it is that it uses Sony E-Mount lenses, which are hard to find. But this problem can be solved with an adapter ring. Low light performance is really good, depending on the lens. I use vintage Minolta lenses with mine. I mostly take pictures with it and it has been in very cold places during it's lifetime. I don't remember how much the price was, but i believe it was around 1000€. I felt like a man from the future, because it's still a very compact camera body and feels pretty modern to use. The built in LCD is of high resolution and brightness and can be folded out and tilted.
I just gave one of these to my kids school, they were going to use it for the media club or something... The batteries till worked despite not being looked after at all for 10 years! The video quality was perfect and small enough to edit on the macs the kids school had.
@@David_Phantom his coming out video does show his face, granted it is 8 years old: th-cam.com/video/_pUmmixZtoQ/w-d-xo.html He should show his face more often...he'd be my kind of guy really...he's into old computers and tech and he's pretty damn good looking
Straight guy talking here, but he definitely looks quite a bit younger than normal (not that he's very old). It would be so cool if he did a parody of how more "popular" and mainstream TH-camrs make videos (vlog style) and that he DEMANDS you to smash that like and subscribe button while discussing some old tech.
First time I see his face *mind blown* Always though he was some old computer guru who likes to spend his retirement doing tech review while listening to easy listening hits from the 50s. Should have noticed that his hands are young man's hands.
I kind of want to pick one of these up because the picture out of this (the colors mostly) looks better than the picture out of my HDR-TG1. I picked the TG1 up for $50, but it just doesn't quite cut the mustard (I wish I was cool enough to be EEVBlog). That cable is original to Sony camcorders around that time, they did not give ya the best of USB cables (my XR500 that I picked up several years ago had the same cable). Also, the FV30 will not fit in the TG1, not sure about the TG5/V.
I remember seeing that recorder on display with the model train set up on a tripod along with many others at J & R in downtown Manhattan. The case is what I remember the most and of course Sony's price.
I had the HDR-TG1 back in 2008. I believe Sony only had two iterations of these solid state upright Handycams. Prior to the TG1, Sony used the same design for the MicroMV format Handycams and even MiniDV camcorders like the DCR-PC1 & DCR-PC1000, which was a 3-chip camera (3CMOS); obviously, tape-based upright Handycams would be bulkier than the TG-series Memory Stick Handycams. The downside to both the TG1 & TG5V were that they were developed prior to backlit CMOS sensor technology (Exmor R) that debuted on some Handycams in 2010; had the TG-series continued in the Exmor R era, these cams would've had improved low light recording. Also, Sony were still strictly stuck with Memory Stick-only slots until 2010, when they caved in and made Handycams accept both Memory Stick & SD cards; none of the TGs accept SD cards. I remembered having to purchase a Sony 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark 2 card for nearly $100 in 2008. 8GB was necessary to record nearly 1 hour of the highest quality HD on the TG1 at 1920x1080, which recorded at 16 Mbps. Also, the TG1 recorded Dolby Digital surround (I believe it was only 4.0 and not 5.1) while the TG5V was only stereo 2.0. The TG1 was the only game in town if one needed full HD 1080i camcorder that was pocketable; no cell phone or digital camera, or even DSLR recorded HD when the TG1 came out.
I bought a 2009 Handycam SR11 a few months back for $30. Has the same firmware as this camera, but it can take any capacity NP-FH battery, 1080, image stabilisation, on board 60gb HDD (which im planning to modify for flash memory), audio in/out, AV compatible and has a 37mm threaded lens. Works flawlessly, i use it all the time and until the AX-100 drops below 100 bucks, i dont think ill ever upgrade
Wasn’t expecting to see Techmoan here! I actually went back and looked at his Vectrexuk channel and discovered that my younger self had stumbled across it over 10 years ago. No wonder I thought he looked familiar when I subscribed to his current channel years ago.
These TGs had a default setting of Hd SP because of the cost of memory cards back in the day, HD FH being the best quality and way ahead of their time.
I like that it has the option for 4:3 SD video. None of my newer cameras do (nor does my phone). I often shoot new video that needs to "play nice" with some of my 35+ years of SD video. I know I could "fix it in post production", But Why would I want to piss around with that for a just a few sequences. I kept my Nikon P7100 around for my SD stuff.
MarkusPix, yes I thoroughly enjoyed the cheapest camcorders video he made to! It was great :) since you said the HDR-TG5V is only 1080i, I guess you will have to put QTGMC to good use :)
I'm shocked they managed to get a standard battery in that thing and a standard battery at that it is still commercially available from multiple brands.
Wish I could buy one of these... But the European models seem kinda rare since most of them (3 listings) are going for more than 200 euros and that's just too much for me. The HDR-TG3 models are much easier to come by but I have no idea what's downgraded from that model (besides no GPS and internal storage).
I'm looking to get my first camcorder and can't decided what to get. I like the look of this (but the TG7V PAL version) but I'm not sure whether to go for something else (looking to buy on the second-hand market too due to the relatively low costs). I also like the look of the Sony DCR-PC55E which you reviewed quite a while ago. I have seen one available with everything complete and 4 used MiniDV tapes for a low price on eBay, so I am tempted by that. I know it's much worse image quality but I kind of like that retro 4:3, grainy look but transferring the video to a modern PC is a bit of a pain and essentially involves getting either a bunch of firewire cables/firewire-to-USB adapters or a PCIE firewire card and then capturing the footage in real-time on my PC with some software. HD stuff is so much simpler and just a case of transferring the files from the camera or SD card etc to the computer. Anyway, please could you give me some advice or recommendations please? I just want a camera for shooting silly, short films at home so I am not too fussy about quality. Thanks.
That camcorder looks cool, I paused halfway through to look on ebay for a similar model. It would be great for filming my metal detecting videos with! Great video and thanks for sharing.
3:20 pm in France and many thanks for this review ! I didn’t knew this Sony is still in the actual basics standards for images. Did can have a deported microphone ?
Even though they didn't have image stabilization, around the same time the flip cameras were getting popular, and It killed the market for the $300+ camcorders, to since it was good enough, and easy to use.
That USB cable does look unique and familiar... I have a Clie U-something-something with mini USB and that's the cable that came with it. Ironically, I tend to *highly* appreciate thinner, more flexible USB cables. As long as their shielding is sufficient, the thinner the better imo!
The cables is original Sony, I don't know if that's for that model most likely is because Sony likes to use really thin cables. I have a couple of those they're really nice.
Mine needs screen hinge/switch repair...wont stay up, switch does not activate in any position. I only know of Precision repair in CT to do this. Have waited to send and get quote but still I really like it and so. Any advice or alternate for repair? Thanks.
I have an Aiptek DV 4500 camera. It was my first real camera that I used to shoot my older youtube videos with it. Now I have a point and shoot canon camera, 3 of them, one that records in full HD, two smartphones including my current phone and my GoPro hero 7 white.
The USB cable is very much original Sony. I've seen a lot of those in the early 2000s with Sony gear, and I have a similar one bundled with my MZ-N510 minidisc player/recorder, both still work (albeit they weren't really sweating for the last 14 or so years but inspired by the recent Techmoan's MD bundle unboxing I decided to check on my own MD... still works as it did, my NetMDs are fine, and it (after some fiddling with drivers and several PC reboots) works under Win 10x64 2004 update as it did back in 2003, when I bought it new, under Windows XP. Maybe even better because my PC is MUCH faster now. Just have to clean contacts on the remote, I suppose, folder seek buttons are sticky and too sensitive (requires some screwdriver work).
I had a TG1 (which is similar to this), but got rid of it after a couple months. Took decent video, but the low light performance wasn't great - it becomes very grainy and it literally loses color saturation the darker it got until it basically becomes grayscale, which makes it unusable for shooting video of houses decorated with Christmas lights. If you wanted a wide angle, you had to find the lens converter specifically made for this model as it doesn't have a lens thread, and they are quite expensive and hard to find so I just gave up on finding one.
Maybe the Handycam Station isn't so important if you record videos to the Memory Stick (especially if you have the model without any internal storage).
I still use a vhs camcorder and dv camera, sd camera,video 8'high 8 digital 8 , vhsc i would never give up a good digital camera or video camera over a using a smartphone as my go to device for video or pictures
Nice video, thanks! Just got one of these and the screen sags, like the spring holding it up is totally shot. Any idea how to remedy this? It's pretty annoying!
Just baught one, because I was very impressed after seeing your video. A nice vlogging camera. I most use action cams, but sometimes need something with a zoom and this is not expensive in used condition and it is far better then all the cheep no brand camcorders.
I just don’t understand why he doesn’t use this camera all the time for better quality. It seems to me that he flip flops between decent cameras, and Hi-8 cameras he found at the thrift store. Just kinda odd tbh...
10:37 aw crap... I had one of those but I cut it up when I needed the cable for something and didn't think much of the cable... well I'll know better next time!
My dad just recieved one without the charging station. I cant seem to find the exact one anywhere. We don't have the adapter either so not sure what to do with the camera now.
That clip of young Techmoan was a trip
He looked like a British gangster
Definitely looked like he'd be robbing banks in a mini cooper. 😂
@@SMAAAASHTV but in reality he's just a puppet enthusiast
If you want to see an even younger Techmoan, from before he was Techmoan: th-cam.com/video/imMxCpgwgy8/w-d-xo.html
@@vwestlife I went to that link i seen that video i was like omg wow he changed so much. But then again we all have wasn't it uxwbill was im guessing here he was about 25 or something when he did TH-cam I looked back on videos you had from smashing a camera to a stapler lol alot has changed oh and then smashing that cures motherboard i laught so hard when processor flew out. That was back when you got the red jetta I would think right?
Wow , techmoan aged 20 years in the last 10 years
That's what happens up North 🤣
Classic British aging process lol
@@juanignacioaschura9437 as opposed to... Spanish maybe?
Didn’t we all
Oh wow that Technician clip is Gold!
Autocorrect has fucked up your comment, but don't worry, we know you mean Techmoan.
I'm surprised it didn't get auto-corrected to Technoman.
I'm just gonna say, you're one of my favorite TH-camrs. I really love all the technology that you showcase and it really makes my day every time you post a video.
"Plenty available on eBay"
I see one and it's $500. VWestlife effect!!!
IDK what you mean, I just looked and there is two and one is a BIN for 149 and the other is a BIN for 150 or best offer.
I just looked, Theres none of this model.
Not as bad as the Techmoan effect, which is a destructive force regarding ebay prices… *angry groan*
Just grabbed one for $159, Sony refurbished. Complete.
I'm in Germany and there's one for 30€ and one for 40€ here. Should I cop?
I know it'll never happen but I wish Sony would release a 4K version of this!
What a superb camcorder. Great picture AND sound, a rarity.
The Sony GW55 & GW66 were the waterproof successors to this model, and they were also incredible! They recorded in 1080p 60p & they took SDXC cards!
But unfortunately only mono audio.
@@vwestlife No, it's 2 channel dolby digital audio! I have the GW66, I imported it from Canada when it was released, since it was so limited in the US. I can confirm it's stereo!
@@allenmovies Sony claims it's stereo, but in all the clips from the GW66 that people have uploaded to TH-cam, the audio is clearly only mono.
@@vwestlife Damn, really??? I haven't used it since I switched to my 4k Sony AX100 in 2014, so I'm curious to go back and listen now! Still one of my fav cams, I wish Sony kept releasing camcorders like this. Always loved this compact form factor.
@@vwestlife I used also have the Sony DCR-PC55, which was the smallest Mini DV camcorder ever made. The video quality was crappy, but boy was it fun to use and looked so sleek, especially in red!
I dont know why but I apreciate your videos about random tech stuff. Your calm and relaxing tone voice makes even a dice looks intersting
It's been a while since I watched your videos. I've been a fan for years. Used to come home late at nite and watch em after the gym. Very relaxing.
audio actually sounds better from the sony than the cannon
I found this out for myself in comparing my Canon Legria HF-R506 with my Sony Handycam HDR-CX405. The Sony picked up good high-quality well-defined(and well-spread) stereo audio while the audio off the Canon, while okay, sound-quality-wise, lacked the stereo spread.
yes i completely agree, it sounds so clear lol
@@neilforbes416 The Canon preamplifiers have never been very good, very noisy.
@@jamescollins6085 I haven't so much had noisy videos from my Canon videocamera, just a lack of stereo spread, i.e. a not-very-well defined stereo effect in spite of having stereo microphones below the camera lens. The Sony, on the other hand, gives a brilliant account of itself in the stereo audio department. So much so that my Sony camera is now my main camera while the Canon is now my secondary camera(for B-roll content)
Neil Forbes SONY always has great Mics. The video has fantastic sound and stereo separation.
From back in the day when people still used stand-alone camcorders, due to their higher quality. The iPhone 3GS, which was still very common in 2010, could only record 640 x 480 VGA video!
Welll, the average person at least. I still use a stand alone camera, for both video and pictures. I personally still prefer to use use a stand alone camera. A few reasons to why I prefer to use a stand alone camera is partly because of storage capacity, and also because I partly think most phones don't quite have the 1080p, or 4k recording quality that some if not most cameras have. Plus, you don't have to fully worry about the idea of dumping the video clips to a computer or indirectly dumping the video files to a computer through a online storage drive such as drop box or Google drive, on top if worrying about questionable Audio quality, or even having to mess around with with a external micro SD card too. Plus, I think it is just better that I carry around a dedicated camera too. On top of someone not cutting you off in the middle of recording something either. Plus, if you want to replace your phone or camera separately, you can do that too, which I find as another plus too, which I've gone through a few of both at Separate times.
Camcorders still have their uses, because typically they have a far reaching optical zoom, optical image stabilation, stereo audio recording and they are easier to hold steady than a phone... So if you like to shoot a lot of videos for vlogging or whatever, camcorder might be a good choice. Even VWestlife apparently uses a camcorder to shoot his videos. It's an easier and cheaper method than getting a DSLR rig like some fancypants vloggers do.. ;)
The optics in this camcorder are still better than many phones today, or any phone from, say 4 years ago.
Earlier this week I watched Doug DeMuro. Right at the end 14:22 we see his cameraman using a proper camcorder th-cam.com/video/PX4fFUwD7tk/w-d-xo.html.
What people don't realise is that the zoom on many phones is only digital.
@@BilisNegra Of course camcorders have better optics, it's pure physics... You can only fit a small lens in a phone, but stand-alone cameras don't have that limitation. Same thing with sensor size. That's why good cameras will always be better than any phone.
For a device that’s over a decade old it has audio and video on par with top of the line modern smart phone cameras. I’m impressed.
I don't know if you planned on keeping this cam-corder, but I gotta say, I actually think the quality is quite the upgrade from your current camera. The color balance is better, a bit sharper, and the audio quality is outstanding. I'd personally say that Sony is a keeper~!
This is amazing - in 2010 Sony also launched their first e-mount cameras, that also recordered in FHD, had APSc sized 16mpix sensors, had interchangable lens and were smaller...
I wish that camera had an external mic jack. That would’ve been literally the perfect vlog camera and still would be to this day!
I really wanted one of these back in the day.
Wow, Techmoan has aged!
obviously.. but he did it all in 2011 apparently- since then he looks pretty much like today
Apparently he gained some weight, which might explain some of it. And he has had some health issues.
@@joojoojeejee6058 he does have diabetes loss of some hearing taste smell etc i think he stated in videos.
@@mercuryoak2 A thing I don't understand is, why does he keep eating pasta, french fries and other typical crap as a diabetic, even though he can't even taste it..
Just because he has done videos about kitchen gadgets for making various foods doesn't mean he eats them every day. For example, LGR does videos about all kinds of unhealthy food on his LGR Foods channel and he actually looks healthier now than he did a few years ago. And even if you can't taste food you can still enjoy its texture.
damn techmoan has aged 25 years in 10.
Irony: demonstrating low-light ability by recording dozens of lightbulbs.
Labelled as candles.
Wow, LGR sent me your way and then you give a cameo to another one of my favorite tech channels (techmoan circa 2000 and something). The tech community on youtube is wholesome af and doesn't get enough recognition.
0:21 what a load of carp!
I love the noises this thing makes :)
I've still got the TG3 and still use it occasionally. I have a hard time holding handycams. It just isn't comfortable for my wrist, so that's why i love pistol grip cameras. Now i film with a Sony A6300 and make use of the same tricks Techmoan spoke about, filming at stomach level and less people noticing so being able to film more obscurely. Also, a6300 looks like a small photocamera so even more advantage in filming with less people aware i do as they think i wait for taking a photo.
I am not that crazy about the form factor. Everything else seems like a class act, though.
The lifespan of Sony's InfoLithium batteries is nothing less than extremely impressive. I've got some from the late 1990s that still perform very well.
Tru dat. I once bought a used Sony DCR PC100E in 2014 which came with it's original battery from 1998 and the battery STILL WORKED. Sure, it didn't hold a huge charge anymore but you could still record for a while with it.
I still use a sony HD SD card camcorder that gets about 4 hours one one battery. Still use it now as it has a zoom lens and half decent audio as well. Far more useful than a phone if you want to record something properly.
It’s amazing how long they’ve lasted. I can’t say I’ve had another brand/type of battery that has lasted as well.
They should make a modern iteration of that battery for Xperia phones and other modern Sony products.
I have a >10 year old Sony camcorder that holds its charge for hours
Thanks for this video and the Techmoan link where he showed his GR-DV1. My first camcorder I used in 2010 when I started uploading to TH-cam was a Sony HDR-XR550V, $1,150, which has the same menu and everything as yours (ID'd as optical stabilization)- just a different form factor. I used it for several hundred videos until the sound went bad in 2018 and I replaced it with a HDR-CX455, $400, just because it used the same V series infolithium batteries and I had several.
The video is as expected, the audio however...is pretty darn incredible!
Sylvester Stallone used to use one of the earlier versions of that camera.
As did Sting: th-cam.com/video/C3lWwBslWqg/w-d-xo.html
I saw MarkusPix's video too and instead of inspiring me to go used I went new and got a Sony FDR-AX33 with BOSS image stabilization. It works so well for me and I hope it'll help me step up my TH-cam game because, while I love my Sanyo Xacti VPC-2000HD, it's getting a little long in the tooth. It was touted on as the world's first full HD consumer camcorder in 2009. I may do a video on it. With my Sony.
Yes, that gray USB cable is the original one that Sony put in the box with every Handycam back then. It's great because its pretty soft and long, great to charge my PSP while playing
It kinda looks like a TITANIUM Bloggie. I really have a soft spot for camcorder from the time between 2007 and 2011 when everything suddenly went HD and consumer cameras made the transition tapeless recording using either built in HDDs or SDHC cards and either used MPEG2 or early versions of H264. Interesting it records interlaced SD resolution videos. Really awesome to get that MiniDV look out of it.
I still use my Sony NEX 5 mirrorless digital camera, which is from early 2011. It also has GPS and AVCHD video recording, but in 1920x1440 (interlaced, PAL 50Hz region). Instead of memory sticks, it uses SD-cards and is even able to read newer 128GB ones without problems. It's still a perfectly fine camera. The only problem with it is that it uses Sony E-Mount lenses, which are hard to find. But this problem can be solved with an adapter ring. Low light performance is really good, depending on the lens. I use vintage Minolta lenses with mine. I mostly take pictures with it and it has been in very cold places during it's lifetime. I don't remember how much the price was, but i believe it was around 1000€. I felt like a man from the future, because it's still a very compact camera body and feels pretty modern to use. The built in LCD is of high resolution and brightness and can be folded out and tilted.
I just gave one of these to my kids school, they were going to use it for the media club or something... The batteries till worked despite not being looked after at all for 10 years! The video quality was perfect and small enough to edit on the macs the kids school had.
13:50 anyone else gonna talk about how good looking Kevin is or is that responsibility gonna fall to me? Because I'll do it!
Kevin is attractive I dont know why he does not show his face more.
@@gogetac77 Maybe he doesn't want all us gays messaging him. It must get overwhelming. Idk, I can't speak for him. :P
@@David_Phantom his coming out video does show his face, granted it is 8 years old: th-cam.com/video/_pUmmixZtoQ/w-d-xo.html He should show his face more often...he'd be my kind of guy really...he's into old computers and tech and he's pretty damn good looking
Straight guy talking here, but he definitely looks quite a bit younger than normal (not that he's very old). It would be so cool if he did a parody of how more "popular" and mainstream TH-camrs make videos (vlog style) and that he DEMANDS you to smash that like and subscribe button while discussing some old tech.
First time I see his face *mind blown* Always though he was some old computer guru who likes to spend his retirement doing tech review while listening to easy listening hits from the 50s. Should have noticed that his hands are young man's hands.
Young Techmoan was a surprise.
I kind of want to pick one of these up because the picture out of this (the colors mostly) looks better than the picture out of my HDR-TG1.
I picked the TG1 up for $50, but it just doesn't quite cut the mustard (I wish I was cool enough to be EEVBlog).
That cable is original to Sony camcorders around that time, they did not give ya the best of USB cables (my XR500 that I picked up several years ago had the same cable).
Also, the FV30 will not fit in the TG1, not sure about the TG5/V.
Any HD 1080 camera from the last ten years is good enough today.
A nice review Kevin.I couldn't find any on ebay at the moment.
Wow very impressive for it's time and clearly would not be a bad option even today!
*its
I remember seeing that recorder on display with the model train set up on a tripod along with many others at J & R in downtown Manhattan. The case is what I remember the most and of course Sony's price.
I had the HDR-TG1 back in 2008. I believe Sony only had two iterations of these solid state upright Handycams. Prior to the TG1, Sony used the same design for the MicroMV format Handycams and even MiniDV camcorders like the DCR-PC1 & DCR-PC1000, which was a 3-chip camera (3CMOS); obviously, tape-based upright Handycams would be bulkier than the TG-series Memory Stick Handycams. The downside to both the TG1 & TG5V were that they were developed prior to backlit CMOS sensor technology (Exmor R) that debuted on some Handycams in 2010; had the TG-series continued in the Exmor R era, these cams would've had improved low light recording. Also, Sony were still strictly stuck with Memory Stick-only slots until 2010, when they caved in and made Handycams accept both Memory Stick & SD cards; none of the TGs accept SD cards. I remembered having to purchase a Sony 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark 2 card for nearly $100 in 2008. 8GB was necessary to record nearly 1 hour of the highest quality HD on the TG1 at 1920x1080, which recorded at 16 Mbps. Also, the TG1 recorded Dolby Digital surround (I believe it was only 4.0 and not 5.1) while the TG5V was only stereo 2.0. The TG1 was the only game in town if one needed full HD 1080i camcorder that was pocketable; no cell phone or digital camera, or even DSLR recorded HD when the TG1 came out.
Awesome ,thank you for doing this review. I have been collecting sony handy cams and love this piece
Excellent video and review, nice to see Techmoan’s brother 😂😂 he ain’t half altered!😎 🇬🇧
I bought a 2009 Handycam SR11 a few months back for $30. Has the same firmware as this camera, but it can take any capacity NP-FH battery, 1080, image stabilisation, on board 60gb HDD (which im planning to modify for flash memory), audio in/out, AV compatible and has a 37mm threaded lens. Works flawlessly, i use it all the time and until the AX-100 drops below 100 bucks, i dont think ill ever upgrade
That thing has better picture and sound quality than most modern smartphones.
Honestly some tech wasn't too bad then
Wasn’t expecting to see Techmoan here! I actually went back and looked at his Vectrexuk channel and discovered that my younger self had stumbled across it over 10 years ago. No wonder I thought he looked familiar when I subscribed to his current channel years ago.
I wonder how many people had to make trips to the loo after each segment of the Koi pond? :P
Has techmoan aged 25 years in 9 years or do I need an eye test?
These TGs had a default setting of Hd SP because of the cost of memory cards back in the day, HD FH being the best quality and way ahead of their time.
Can you do a video about Sony ES line of Home component equipment ?
That's a great Idea
If I had any, I would.
quality looks amazing :O
I never seen your face before. Now I have a face to the voice.
This camcorder type is very popular in Japan.
I like that it has the option for 4:3 SD video. None of my newer cameras do (nor does my phone). I often shoot new video that needs to "play nice" with some of my 35+ years of SD video. I know I could "fix it in post production", But Why would I want to piss around with that for a just a few sequences. I kept my Nikon P7100 around for my SD stuff.
I wish more devices would do 24fps.
@@jeffkardosjr.3825 RIGHT! With all of the "features" jammed into devices now, How hard would it be to offer variable frame rates AND aspect ratios?!
I still have and use one of these regularly. It's fantastic.
MarkusPix, yes I thoroughly enjoyed the cheapest camcorders video he made to! It was great :) since you said the HDR-TG5V is only 1080i, I guess you will have to put QTGMC to good use :)
Time for a Techmoan/VWestlife collab or maybe a video with a gangster-looking Mat stalking Kevin a la the Mat stalking 8-Bit Guy video.
I'm shocked they managed to get a standard battery in that thing and a standard battery at that it is still commercially available from multiple brands.
Wish I could buy one of these... But the European models seem kinda rare since most of them (3 listings) are going for more than 200 euros and that's just too much for me. The HDR-TG3 models are much easier to come by but I have no idea what's downgraded from that model (besides no GPS and internal storage).
You literally have the best and most entertaining review videos on TH-cam!
Love your channel from a gay boy in Kentucky! 😊
i collect vintage digital cameras, watching these vids might get me into camcorders
i really like the "pistol-grip" style
You know Sony A mount? Or that too new? Any recs?
Update 8/21: Ebay lowest priced Sony HDR-TG5V is $300 WITHOUT cables or base.
4:20 AWWH!! Adorable kitty! X3
This is from the era when Flip pocket video cameras were the hot thing.
The camera that you are using to film this video was used both by the middle school I previously went to and the high school I currently go to.
I'm looking to get my first camcorder and can't decided what to get. I like the look of this (but the TG7V PAL version) but I'm not sure whether to go for something else (looking to buy on the second-hand market too due to the relatively low costs). I also like the look of the Sony DCR-PC55E which you reviewed quite a while ago. I have seen one available with everything complete and 4 used MiniDV tapes for a low price on eBay, so I am tempted by that. I know it's much worse image quality but I kind of like that retro 4:3, grainy look but transferring the video to a modern PC is a bit of a pain and essentially involves getting either a bunch of firewire cables/firewire-to-USB adapters or a PCIE firewire card and then capturing the footage in real-time on my PC with some software. HD stuff is so much simpler and just a case of transferring the files from the camera or SD card etc to the computer.
Anyway, please could you give me some advice or recommendations please? I just want a camera for shooting silly, short films at home so I am not too fussy about quality. Thanks.
dynamic range leaves lots to be desired..but not bad. I had a Canon HV20 a few years earlier around that time, and I think the image looks similar.
And i was just thinking the other day, I wonder when @VWestlife will do another video camera review? Great! I like the quality from that canon though!
That camcorder looks cool, I paused halfway through to look on ebay for a similar model. It would be great for filming my metal detecting videos with! Great video and thanks for sharing.
But wouldn't it set off your detector?
Your cats are beautiful. Love them, I personally have a ferret,but my grandparents have 12 cats!
this looks like one of your nicer cameras keep it and use it.
I have a mint one boxed alond with a whole range of antique handheld camcorders. Been collecting ever since!
2:43 Was that Steve Oedekerk?
Would love to see your next video shot entirely on this camcorder.
3:20 pm in France and many thanks for this review ! I didn’t knew this Sony is still in the actual basics standards for images. Did can have a deported microphone ?
There is no provision for adding an external microphone (either via a 3.5mm jack or an Active Interface Shoe).
Extra 10k views just for the cat clip, probably,
Even though they didn't have image stabilization, around the same time the flip cameras were getting popular, and It killed the market for the $300+ camcorders, to since it was good enough, and easy to use.
As always, very good video. I really do like your channel :)
that looks awesome! i had a sanyo xacti from around the same era that had the same form factor but that sony looks a lot more stylish.. very nice find
The so-so image stabilization is the biggest disadvantage of this camera, otherwise I think it was really awesome! I’m thinking of buying it used
That USB cable does look unique and familiar... I have a Clie U-something-something with mini USB and that's the cable that came with it. Ironically, I tend to *highly* appreciate thinner, more flexible USB cables. As long as their shielding is sufficient, the thinner the better imo!
Probably is the original USB cable, as it is purplish like some of their keyboards and the Vaio.
Yeah this Sony has a better pic than your normal camera. It also sounds better.
The cables is original Sony, I don't know if that's for that model most likely is because Sony likes to use really thin cables. I have a couple of those they're really nice.
Mine needs screen hinge/switch repair...wont stay up, switch does not activate in any position. I only know of Precision repair in CT to do this. Have waited to send and get quote but still I really like it and so. Any advice or alternate for repair? Thanks.
I have an Aiptek DV 4500 camera. It was my first real camera that I used to shoot my older youtube videos with it. Now I have a point and shoot canon camera, 3 of them, one that records in full HD, two smartphones including my current phone and my GoPro hero 7 white.
The USB cable is very much original Sony. I've seen a lot of those in the early 2000s with Sony gear, and I have a similar one bundled with my MZ-N510 minidisc player/recorder, both still work (albeit they weren't really sweating for the last 14 or so years but inspired by the recent Techmoan's MD bundle unboxing I decided to check on my own MD... still works as it did, my NetMDs are fine, and it (after some fiddling with drivers and several PC reboots) works under Win 10x64 2004 update as it did back in 2003, when I bought it new, under Windows XP. Maybe even better because my PC is MUCH faster now. Just have to clean contacts on the remote, I suppose, folder seek buttons are sticky and too sensitive (requires some screwdriver work).
I had a TG1 (which is similar to this), but got rid of it after a couple months. Took decent video, but the low light performance wasn't great - it becomes very grainy and it literally loses color saturation the darker it got until it basically becomes grayscale, which makes it unusable for shooting video of houses decorated with Christmas lights.
If you wanted a wide angle, you had to find the lens converter specifically made for this model as it doesn't have a lens thread, and they are quite expensive and hard to find so I just gave up on finding one.
Maybe the Handycam Station isn't so important if you record videos to the Memory Stick (especially if you have the model without any internal storage).
Yes, if you're OK with recording onto a Memory Stick and then putting it in a card reader, then you really don't need the Handycam Station.
I still use a vhs camcorder and dv camera, sd camera,video 8'high 8 digital 8 , vhsc i would never give up a good digital camera or video camera over a using a smartphone as my go to device for video or pictures
Nice video, thanks! Just got one of these and the screen sags, like the spring holding it up is totally shot. Any idea how to remedy this? It's pretty annoying!
When you mentioned a "famous YTer who used this camera" I thought it was gonna be Justin Bieber.
Just baught one, because I was very impressed after seeing your video.
A nice vlogging camera. I most use action cams, but sometimes need something with a zoom and this is not expensive in used condition and it is far better then all the cheep no brand camcorders.
I just don’t understand why he doesn’t use this camera all the time for better quality. It seems to me that he flip flops between decent cameras, and Hi-8 cameras he found at the thrift store. Just kinda odd tbh...
What a nice camcorder, I want one
I've recently been searching for one of these! What is the maximum capacity memory stick duo pro which can be used?
10:37 aw crap... I had one of those but I cut it up when I needed the cable for something and didn't think much of the cable...
well I'll know better next time!
this video looks good! What camera did you use?
My dad just recieved one without the charging station. I cant seem to find the exact one anywhere. We don't have the adapter either so not sure what to do with the camera now.
13:52 as a 14 year old who’s into obscure old camcorders do you know how CRAZY it was to hear you say “yapping” 😭