Sony camcorders w/ LANC connector

[kortmann]

Do you know where I can find a list of Sony camcorder models with a LANC connector (2.5mm). Both of my TR 416's have gone to camera heaven. I'm hopeful of finding something that also has an external mic connector. Hi 8 would be OK as it's probably all I can afford.
Thanks,
Ken

[edDV]

Do you know where I can find a list of Sony camcorder models with a LANC connector (2.5mm). Both of my TR 416's have gone to camera heaven. I'm hopeful of finding something that also has an external mic connector. Hi 8 would be OK as it's probably all I can afford.
Thanks,
Ken

Most higher range Hi8 camcorders had the LANC connector and external mic connector. The older the model the better since Hi8 features were gutted after MiniDV/Digital8 came out in 1998*.


* The VX700/1000 were first demonstrated in 1996.

[turk690]

ALL current (and not so current) Sony camcorders HD and SD which have the 10-pin AV connector also have LANC through the same connector. This connector is officially designed to mate with any of Sony's tripods that have a LANC control (using the 10-pin connector, NOT a 2.5mm phone plug), or a wired control accessory through LANC. Some have figured out which of the connector's pins are AV and which are LANC, and made custom cables that allow AV to be accessed and at the same time have LANC, which, in Sony's implicit view, should not be. This LANC feature on all Sony camcorders is just sitting quietly there begging for imaginative use, and Sony paradoxically does not make it a selling point. The connector is just referred to as AV-R connector, and in digging for just what the 'R' meant is how I came to know these. Stringing out the LANC and AV simultaneously is handy, for example, when putting the HDR-CX550 on a camera jib (some point out there is an HDMI connector, but 5" HD LCD monitors with HDMI inputs cost more than the wretched camcorder).

[edDV]

ALL current (and not so current) Sony camcorders HD and SD which have the 10-pin AV connector also have LANC through the same connector. This connector is officially designed to mate with any of Sony's tripods that have a LANC control (using the 10-pin connector, NOT a 2.5mm phone plug), or a wired control accessory through LANC. Some have figured out which of the connector's pins are AV and which are LANC, and made custom cables that allow AV to be accessed and at the same time have LANC, which, in Sony's implicit view, should not be. This LANC feature on all Sony camcorders is just sitting quietly there begging for imaginative use, and Sony paradoxically does not make it a selling point. The connector is just referred to as AV-R connector, and in digging for just what the 'R' meant is how I came to know these. Stringing out the LANC and AV simultaneously is handy, for example, when putting the HDR-CX550 on a camera jib (some point out there is an HDMI connector, but 5" HD LCD monitors with HDMI inputs cost more than the wretched camcorder).

Wow this is new info, are you sure about all "HD and SD"?

I've got several Sony Digital8, MiniDV plus PD150 and HDR-Z1U and never noticed a mention of LANC. Makes all the difference for jib use.

[turk690]

Wow this is new info, are you sure about all "HD and SD"?

I've got several Sony Digital8, MiniDV plus PD150 and HDR-Z1U and never noticed a mention of LANC. Makes all the difference for jib use.

If the Sony camcorder has the half-moon shaped 10-pin AV connector, then it has LANC. I have a mini-DV HC48, an SD HDD SR80, three AVCHD SR12, CX12 & CX550 with this connector, and they all respond correctly with a corresponding Sony tripod with a built-in LANC control handle through a same connector. I also have an old TRV350 D8 camcorder, which does not yet have this connector, but has a 2.5mm phone jack LANC. I'm not sure what pro models have (2.5mm jack, 10-pin connector, etc.) Some hobbyists in websites I can't recall for now bought cheap made in China 10-pin connectors, and stripped them to get at the AV and LANC simultaneously (official connectors from Sony only have AV or LANC, but not both in one 10-pin connector). http://www.studio1productions.com/lanc-sa.htm is one website that offers such connectors (gnashingly expensive); I can see that Sony is distressed about people simultaneously using LANC and AV from the connector such that they have disabled the feature in the newer CX700 and CX560. Tough.

[edDV]

Wow this is new info, are you sure about all "HD and SD"?

I've got several Sony Digital8, MiniDV plus PD150 and HDR-Z1U and never noticed a mention of LANC. Makes all the difference for jib use.

If the Sony camcorder has the half-moon shaped 10-pin AV connector, then it has LANC. I have a mini-DV HC48, an SD HDD SR80, three AVCHD SR12, CX12 & CX550 with this connector, and they all respond correctly with a corresponding Sony tripod with a built-in LANC control handle through a same connector. I also have an old TRV350 D8 camcorder, which does not yet have this connector, but has a 2.5mm phone jack LANC. I'm not sure what pro models have (2.5mm jack, 10-pin connector, etc.) Some hobbyists in websites I can't recall for now bought cheap made in China 10-pin connectors, and stripped them to get at the AV and LANC simultaneously (official connectors from Sony only have AV or LANC, but not both in one 10-pin connector). http://www.studio1productions.com/lanc-sa.htm is one website that offers such connectors (gnashingly expensive); I can see that Sony is distressed about people simultaneously using LANC and AV from the connector such that they have disabled the feature in the newer CX700 and CX560. Tough.

Wow again! A world of hidden Sony features. I'd love to put these old cams up on jibs or better yet remote control them with better than IR.

I can't understand Sony's not promoting these features as their market share dwindles vs Canon and Panasonic. There should be a stockholder investigation.

[turk690]

Wow again! A world of hidden Sony features. I'd love to put these old cams up on jibs or better yet remote control them with better than IR.

I can't understand Sony's not promoting these features as their market share dwindles vs Canon and Panasonic. There should be a stockholder investigation.

For the longest time, any Sony 8/Hi8/D8/DV camcorder can play back both PAL and NTSC, but this feature is NOT officially touted on the specs. There must be a reason why a camcorder enthusiast is left to his own to figure out something very useful Panasonic and Canon do not have. Probably sort of an Easter-egg hunt, eh? I have a feeling if I put 50i AVCHD material on an SD stick and shove it inside a CX550U (an official 60i machine) it will get played but I haven't tried yet.

[edDV]

Wow again! A world of hidden Sony features. I'd love to put these old cams up on jibs or better yet remote control them with better than IR.

I can't understand Sony's not promoting these features as their market share dwindles vs Canon and Panasonic. There should be a stockholder investigation.

For the longest time, any Sony 8/Hi8/D8/DV camcorder can play back both PAL and NTSC, but this feature is NOT officially touted on the specs. There must be a reason why a camcorder enthusiast is left to his own to figure out something very useful Panasonic and Canon do not have. Probably sort of an Easter-egg hunt, eh? I have a feeling if I put 50i AVCHD material on an SD stick and shove it inside a CX550U (an official 60i machine) it will get played but I haven't tried yet.

[For the longest time, any Sony 8/Hi8/D8/DV camcorder can play back both PAL and NTSC,*

That must be Canada only models. In USA it never happened but in Duty Free International Shops and Europe only selected Prosumer models played both NTSC and PAL DV to the viewfinder but not out the analog or IEEE-1394 ports.


* could this be due to Quebec?

[turk690]

That must be Canada only models. In USA it never happened but in Duty Free International Shops and Europe only selected Prosumer models played both NTSC and PAL DV to the viewfinder but not out the analog or IEEE-1394 ports.

I have a DCR-TRV350K (officially NTSC D8) which plays any 8/Hi8/D8 tape PAL or NTSC. When playing PAL, the LCD screen does indicate "PAL" in the corner.
I also have mini-DV DCR-HC48E (officially PAL DV), and DCR-HC40U (officially NTSC DV); both play tapes made by each other. The output IS available over analogue and FireWire on all these consumer camcorders. Many years back, when I became aware of this undocumented Sony feature, I thought it was a commonly known thing among enthusiasts. When I told others about it (traveling around some), because, they thought that, like Panasonic or Canon (which only resolutely plays either PAL or NTSC per camcorder model, NOT both), Sony would naturally be the same, I realized Sony did not officially put this feature on the camcorder spec sheet.

[edDV]

That must be Canada only models. In USA it never happened but in Duty Free International Shops and Europe only selected Prosumer models played both NTSC and PAL DV to the viewfinder but not out the analog or IEEE-1394 ports.

I have a DCR-TRV350K (officially NTSC D8) which plays any 8/Hi8/D8 tape PAL or NTSC. When playing PAL, the LCD screen does indicate "PAL" in the corner.
I also have mini-DV DCR-HC48E (officially PAL DV), and DCR-HC40U (officially NTSC DV); both play tapes made by each other. The output IS available over analogue and FireWire on all these consumer camcorders. Many years back, when I became aware of this undocumented Sony feature, I thought it was a commonly known thing among enthusiasts. When I told others about it (traveling around some), because, they thought that, like Panasonic or Canon (which only resolutely plays either PAL or NTSC per camcorder model, NOT both), Sony would naturally be the same, I realized Sony did not officially put this feature on the camcorder spec sheet.

This was not the case with US models that I had. It must be Canada specific due to Quebec French ties. Sony has always been political.

If true, you have a great eBay business opportunity.


Note: I've heard but not witnessed that PAL "E" models output NTSC as PAL60 which is another story but not real NTSC.

[turk690]

This was not the case with US models that I had. It must be Canada specific due to Quebec French ties. Sony has always been political.

If true, you have a great eBay business opportunity.

I'm not sure about the Quebec thing. None of these camcorders were in fact bought in Canada. The TRV350K was bought in 2002 in Stockton, CA, good ole USA. It replaced an earlier DCR-TRV120K (NTSC D8) which was stolen, which was bought in Hong Kong. The HC48E was bought in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the HC40U was bought in the Philippines, both around 2004 or 2005. All these Sony consumer camcorders play PAL and NTSC without missing a beat.
I have quantified that, playing either type of tape, the fps on these camcorders is that of the tape (25 or 29.97), but the color system is that of the official model. So, yes, the TRV350K puts out an NTSC/25 signal when a PAL tape is played. Barring the required multi-system TV needed to display such, at least, for preview purposes, the camcorder LCD correctly displays all in color.

[edDV]

This was not the case with US models that I had. It must be Canada specific due to Quebec French ties. Sony has always been political.

If true, you have a great eBay business opportunity.

I'm not sure about the Quebec thing. None of these camcorders were in fact bought in Canada. The TRV350K was bought in 2002 in Stockton, CA, good ole USA. It replaced an earlier DCR-TRV120K (NTSC D8) which was stolen, which was bought in Hong Kong. The HC48E was bought in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the HC40U was bought in the Philippines, both around 2004 or 2005. All these Sony consumer camcorders play PAL and NTSC without missing a beat.
I have quantified that, playing either type of tape, the fps on these camcorders is that of the tape (25 or 29.97), but the color system is that of the official model. So, yes, the TRV350K puts out an NTSC/25 signal when a PAL tape is played. Barring the required multi-system TV needed to display such, at least, for preview purposes, the camcorder LCD correctly displays all in color.

OK you have more samples than I do. None of my US models work for Euro or Singapore capture. Or will play local DV.

[kortmann]

Never mind. Thanks anyway.
Ken

[NJRoadfan]

My circa 1998 Sony CCD-TRV65 has a LAN-C connector along with a "plug in power" mic jack. Its also much better at 8/Hi-8 playback then the later D8 models since it supports the "XR" format extension and has an onboard TBC and DNR system. Despite being purchased in St. Maarten, it only plays NTSC tapes.

[edDV]

Never mind. Thanks anyway.
Ken

Are you going away dissatisfied?

What is your budget? It seems most used Hi8 TR 416 cams sell under $200 per current eBay.