Sony Handycam CCD-TR93: Review and Test Footage

SUMMARY...
The Sony Handycam CCD-TR93 was released in 1995, along with the CCD-TR36, CCD-TR73, and the CCD-TR83. Being one of the higher end "trim levels", the CCD-TR93 had some decent features. The video quality was fair, even compared to the later Hi8 models (even though it records to the older Video8 cassette tapes). The audio was fine when the microphone actually worked. The big question, though: Was buying this camcorder worthwhile when it was new?

CAMCORDER BODY...
Like other models I've reviewed, this camcorder's construction is pretty typical to what you'd find in a 90s Sony product, that means it's pretty decent. Doesn't feel hollow, nothing feels loose.

!!! THIS SECTION WAS TOO LONG FOR THE DESCRIPTION, YOU CAN READ ABOUT THIS IN THE PINNED COMMENT !!!

USER INTERFACE...
This camera's interface is VERY basic, as is also typical with Sony's older models. In fact, the menu system doesn't even have a design, it just displays the text on the screen (not that there's anything wrong with that, just something to note).

The menu is rather sparse as well, in video mode the user only has seven settings to change (really, it's more of a setup menu, the typical video settings are physical buttons on the camcorder's body). In the menu system, one can change settings such as wind noise cancellation (should have used that in the test footage, that was my mistake), on/off setting for the remote control, the camcorder's beeping sounds, the digital zoom option (only "on" or "off", no individual steps like some of the newer Sony camcorder's have), the auto date setting (displays the date on the tape recording for 10 seconds), the recording lamp (red light located on the front of the camera that turns on when recording), and, finally, the clock settings.

The menu in playback mode is even more scarce, having only the remote control setting, beep, edit mode (supposedly reduces picture deterioration while editing), "HiFi SND" (this option lets the user select between using a single stereo track, or selecting between two separate tracks, it's some kind of antiquated "dual soundtrack" thing, not too sure how it works), and finally, the clock setting again.

VIDEO/AUDIO QUALITY...
The video quality on this camcorder is surprisingly good, given its age. I would say that it's definitely superior to that of the CCD-TRV68 and CCD-TRV128, which are Hi8 models. It IS inferior to the Hi8 models from the mid-late 90s, however, think that's because some of those record in Hi8 XR mode, will need to acquire more for testing purposes to see. It's also superior to VHS. Something interesting to note, this camcorder doesn't have an "LP" recording mode, only SP.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not much of an audiophile. When it comes to the camcorder's microphone my standard is not going to be very high, so will say that this microphone is good. That's not to say that it's without mechanical issue, though. As you can hear in the video, the right channel cuts out from time-to-time, think this is because of the camcorder's age, not necessarily a widespread problem with this model year. That being said, this camcorder's audio quality is MILES ahead of VHS.

COMPARISON TO PREVIOUS YEARS...
This model year's biggest problem is its un-remarkability, it's just too similar to the previous year's lineup (the CCD-TR42, CCD-TR70, CCD-TR72, CCD-TR80, CCD-TR82). The big difference between these and the '95 model year is how they're packaged. In the '94 lineup, the user would have had to make some compromises for what features they wanted on their camera (i.e. sacrificing the color viewfinder and stereo microphone for steadyshot). In contrast, unless I'm mistaken, all the models from the '95 lineup have stereo microphones. They also have better low light quality (specs in the comments), longer minimum zoom, and the apparent addition of digital zoom on select models.

CONCLUSION...
The '95 lineup for the Sony Handycam is, in my opinion, one that isn't all that remarkable. It's a basic 90s Sony video8 camcorder, with no breathtaking features or broken ground. The only thing really noteworthy was how much better it was compared to the Hi8 models, which Sony would probably want the public to forget. I rate this camcorder an 8/10.

Camcorders on Reddit:   / camcorders