| Reviews : Sony GVD800 Video Walkman |
Technical Details
- Edits up to 20 scenes without connecting to a personal computer
- Backward-compatible with Hi8 and 8mm recordings
- S-video and composite video inputs/outputs, plus iLink input/output and Super LaserLink wireless infrared output
- Measures 5.87 x 2.62 x 5.38 inches (W x H x D); weighs 2 pounds, 1 ounce
Product Description
Digital-8 Record and Play / Hi-8 and 8mm Playback / 4" Color Screen / Stereo Speakers / IEEE1394 FireWire iLink / LaserlinkAmazon.com Product Description
The Sony GV-D800 makes digital video more portable than ever. This handy video walkman acts as a digital VCR, recording footage from TVs or camcorders onto Digital8 cassettes, while also letting users view digital video on the included 4-inch active matrix LCD screen. As an extra bonus, the device also lets users edit Digital8 video while on the move without requiring an expensive laptop computer. The editing function offers a simple way to assemble up to 20 scenes automatically, and then play them back with such features as frame-by-frame advance and slow motion. Editing is enhanced by the 2x playback and playback zoom, which allows the editor to zoom into a selected area of video for closer inspection.The GV-D800 takes advantage of digital technology advances to ensure playback with up to 500 lines of resolution and three times the color bandwidth of VHS tapes. Digital video also offers significantly less video noise and deterioration. The GV-D800 is also backward-compatible with older Hi8 and 8mm recordings, letting users watch previously recorded material in either SP or LP modes. The device is no slouch from an audio perspective, either, with 16-bit recording capability that offers the same high-quality sound as a compact disc. In addition, it lets users transfer the recorded signal via iLink to a compatible digital video device so they can add narration or a music soundtrack without disturbing the original sound.
The GV-D800 offers several inputs and outputs for efficient component connection, including S-video and composite video inputs and outputs, an iLink (IEEE 1394) DV input and output, and a Super LaserLink wireless connection that transmits audio and video wirelessly via infrared to an optional LaserLink receiver at a distance of up to 26 feet. The LaserLink system reduces the need for long video cables or clumsy adapters. In addition, the device is compact and lightweight, measuring a mere 5.87 x 2.62 x 5.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighing a bit over 2 pounds.
What's in the Box
Digital VCR, AC power adapter, power cord, AV converting cable, AV connecting cable, user's manual.
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Customer Reviews
By Old Metal Dude (New York, NY)
I've a professional musician/producer and recording engineer for quite a while and have only started to dabble with audio to picture and video editing/production. I have a long way to go, but this product is perhaps my best purchase in this area to date. I needed a solution for transferring analog VHS and Hi-8 video to my digital audio workstation ("DAW") for editing in Sony Vegas. I have a Miglia DV Director's Cut Take 2, but it was never 100% reliable because (according to friend who was a drummer in my old bands and is a professional video editor) the video signal would loose synch with my DAW. He recommended a "video stabilizer" but he said there were no guarantees because there could be other issues. He said that the best solution would be to get an "inexpensive" camcorder with a video input for dubbing to DV and then transferring the dub to my DAW.
Inexpensive is a relative term for him -- he's got a $500k+ video editing suite. I place most of my $$ into higher end audio gear. So I didn't want to spend more than $500, if possible and the camcorders with this feature seemed to be in the $1000+ range. I did a ton of research and finally stumbled across this product. I've had the unit for only 2 days so far. But, it seems like it's suiting my needs very well. Recording from analog sources and cheap media has worked without a hitch. No drop outs and the resulting raw AVI file looks identical to the source tape. Now that it's in my system I know that I can process the image and (particularly) the sound and burn DVDs. I bet anyone who is in the business of transferring wedding and occasion videos from the 1980's and 1990's would love this thing.
Operation is very intuitive. I only checked the manual after starting my initial recording to Digital Hi8 tape from an old analog camcorder circa 1994.
My only concern at this point is the longevity of the availability of blank media and head cleaning tape. It looks like Sony introduced this deck around 1999 or 2000. So, I suspect that in about another 3-5 years the availability of blank media will become more difficult. Even mini-DV is on its way out, though I suspect that the mini-DV format will be around for another 10 years before the tapes become MIA.
So, my plan is to stock up on media and head cleaning tape so that I can have a 10 year run with the unit until it wears out. I don't have a lot of personal stock that needs to be transferred, but I know that over the years some of my music clients will have footage that they want transferred. So hopefully I'll get a return on the investment. Great product for the lower-end of the video production market.
I would rate this 5 stars if the unit had additional digital i/o (either video or audio) other than the firewire port. But I guess that it would have added to the cost.
By J. Lewis (United States)
I ordered this machine to record my old 8 mm tapes of my kids. It operates quite easily out of the box. The picture on the LCD was nice and clear and it connected to my TV with ease. It looks like a high quality product and the price was good. I am very happy with it so far.
By Ken-MI (MI)
First, I am very happy with the purchase & delivery - It was very prompt and packaged well. I will order from this Amazon partner again as a result.
Second, the Sony GVD800 has worked flawlessly and the $$ I spent doesn't seem to matter after I had a chance to see my older 8mm video memories.
I was worried that the GVD800 wont be offered for very much longer and I bought it as my old 8mm camcoder no longer works. It's very easy to use and I am happy with the quality. My older 8mm video tapes worked without any issues and I can now transfer them to modern media (e.g. DVD). I would recommend the model which has the video screen rather than the one without the screen which is approx. $100 less. Otherwise, you will be dependent on an external display of some type.
If you need or want one of these, don't wait.
By Hawk911 (USA)
If you are using Hi8 and/or Digital 8 then this VCR will be useful to you. The other guys pretty much summed up the features. I bought mine about 3 years ago. I use it to input video to my editing computer to save wear and tear on my cameras. It's also capable of editing but I do all that with the PC. You could just connect it to a TV and use it for 8mm playback. The quality is good and it's got inputs/outputs for everything. I am glad someone makes a VCR for the 8mm formats. I highly recommend it!
By Marco A. Alvarado Medina (Honduras)
The only thing I miss with this device is a MEMORY STICK.
This is one of Most Complete Heroes of Sony!
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