I use a 6 year old Sony and want to upgrade to a more modern video camera. My wife and I aren't professionals so we want a camera that's fairly easy to use. We'd like to be able to take still pictures with the camera as well.

I'd like to keep the cost to around $1000 if I can. Which one do you recommend?

Check out the newer model SONY DCR TRV 70.

This is a mini DV format unit. It comes with a usb port, firewire, and will take reasonably good digital still photos. About 2.0 megapixel.

You should be able to find one from a reputal electronics mailordr warehouse for 800-900 hundred.

It will take excellent video footage, but as with ANY video camera, the stills will be just so-so.

You can take excellent still photos for posting on the internet with a 3.0 megapixel or higher camera.

If you want, e-mail me at


[email protected]

I can send you some still photos from a 1.5 megapixel video camera. This will give you a rough idea what the trv 70 is capable of.

Hope this helps.

ttt