Botton line: Easy, simple to use and connect to a TV or to a computer for emailing video (with the right computer hardware).


Good features, but annoying switch problem   September 3, 2002
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I've had this TRV66 for 3 years, but the problem started occuring 1 year after I bought it. It was doing great until the switch started messing up. I found out only after my batteries keep draining even after I switched the camera off. Finally, I noticed that when I turn the camera off by switching it to the "Off" position, the VTR lights come on instead. The only way I could really turn it off was to remove the battery. So, when I want to switch it off, I had to remove the battery every time so that it won't get drained. Looks like it is a common problem from the reviews that I've read. Another annoying problem is when I am recording for a while, it keeps going to stand-by mode automatically. So I had to keep an eye on the viewfinder to make sure it doesn't stop recording. I wonder if Sony could fix this problem.


Buyer beware !   March 19, 2002
Robert Pangburn (Charlestown, IN United States)
0 out of 5 found this review helpful

I have no idea how good this product is and will never know as no Sony product will ever cross our threshhold ever again since Sony refuses to stand behind the TRV -103 "lemon" camcorder that I own; It failed once in warranty and same exact failure again out of warranty with less than two hours usage.


Compact Camcorder, refuses to switch off or charge battery   December 28, 2001
Vimal Rajamanur
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I've been using this camcorder for nearly two years. Bought it new in late 1999.

A year later, I noticed that the battery that it came with discharged if left in the camcorder, even if the camera is in the OFF position. I thought it was a battery problem & bought a new one, but same story.

As a camera, the picture is very good. No complaints on the audio pick-up either. Simple & easy connectivity to the TV for viewing or mastering to tape.

Latest problem is that in the OFF position, all the lights come on, & the battery doesn't charge. In the CAMERA position, the VTR lights come on.

I believe the problem lies with the CAMERA-OFF-VTR slider switch in the front, which seems to have been discontinued in later models. A friend with a similar SONY camcorder, using the same switch reported the exact same problems, as did one other user on some e-board.

Bottom line, not recommended as the slider switch seems to be problematic.