Ok i'm no video pro, i just use it to record our new daughter,family,etc.

I got a good deal on a used trv900 and I bought it because of the good deal and i knew its low light performance was some of the best as i was involved in a project that did underwater filming....but i'm computer, no video expert just some basics. The camera does exhibit audio and video artifacts from time to time...and has had a tape cleaning. Since its home video i dont worry about it too much since i'll likely edit around them.

Anyways is there a smaller consumer camera possibly hard drive i can replace this with which will give me low light performance. I'd miss 1/2 the indoors videos of my daughter if not for this camera, just mainly curious since this model is so old if there is a comparable consumer camera (not pro) that has equal low light performance or if you pretty much have to stick with the 3ccd,etc.

I think the trv is around min 3 or 4 lux? Most of these consumer cams seem to be around 8 or 9...i'm guess this would be a dramatic lower low light quality since its twice as much as the trv?

Thanks! shawn

The small cheap consumer cameras are no match to the TRV900 in low light but you can always use some lighting. I use my Canon HV20 with a Canon $48.00 light that makes it much better in dark or almost dark scenes. This small light uses the power from the camera and is lit when you press the record button.The Canon HG10 is also a good option and uses a HDD instead of tape.

I still have my TRV900 and dream about a HD version with the same performance. So far, only the prosumer cameras can match it.

Sergio