Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony VCT-60AV Remote Control Tripod for use with Compatible Sony Camcorders

It's a remote control tripod, meaning that it has a built in remote on the tripods handle to control a few features on the camera itself, it does not control the function of the tripod in any way; it is not motorized. Also, the recommended RM-AV2 Remote Commander is not necessary for any reason with this tripod. It is meant for tripods that don't have the built in remote. Built remote allows power on/off, zoom in/out just like the camera or do a slow zoom in/out, snap a photo and start/stop the video camera. As a functioning "Tripod" however it is easy to setup and feels very sturdy.

Wow I was really impressed when I took this out of the box. I started by setting up the tripod, fully extended the legs, attached the quick release plate to my Sony HDR-SR11, and plugged the remote handle into my camera.

First let me say this thing is very sturdy even on thicker carpet, its lightweight but solid and perfect for the HDR-SR11.

The remote features included are excellent and well worth the price alone:

Slow Zoom- This feature alone is worth the 70 bucks, its adds such a dramatic effect to your videos its great! Its set up very conveniently with a switch to activate/deactivate the slow zoom feature on the left side of the remote handle and a thumb controlled W/T rocker on the top of the control handle.

Guide Frame- This is also another feature not included with my camera, but added by this tripod. It actually proves to be kinda useful, especially when trying to get various people/objects in one shot. The grid drawn right on the screen (also appears in the viewfinder) is broke down into 9 sections to assist in framing and subject locations.

All in all I'm very happy with this tripod, I gotta shoot a wedding for a friend in June and this should do the trick very nicely, with a smooth fluid pan tilt, and the added features mentioned above I cant wait to see the final product.

Great tripod with remote controls for typical Sony Handycam-type operating functions (record start/stop, zoom, photo capture). Selectable super slow zoom feature really adds a dramatic effect. Pan and tilt are extremely fluid and are adjustable via tensioning knobs. I am 6'4" and the height is fine for me. No batteries are required since it is powered via the A/V jack on my HDR-SR11 camcorder. It stores easily in the included canvas-like bag. Extremely lightweight, stable, and well built unit.

I purchased this product based upon what Sony showed as its functionality and design. The remote control is typical on this unit however, the connection using the Sony LANC connector is NOT compatible with Sony professional HDR FX1 and prosumer model HDR HC7. The picture on the website is not clear and let me to believe that this is what I just saw on the Sony site. When I got the unit, it was nice and well-packed but it had this funky semi elliptical head instead of the 1/8 " radio plug; as seen on the Sony site and other pictures of this remote control combo tripod. I was extremely disappointed that Amazon and the vendor DO NOT include a picture of the plug. This will alert perspective customers that this may not be for you.

The sony tripod works as advertised and, makes it much easier to zoom in and out. Only thing i wish is that it had a video output jack. On my current camcorder this plugs into the video out so that you have no way of adding an extra video out to the camcorder. With the old one on my prior camcorder there were slots for the video out and remote tripod. Thats not really a fault in the tripod though thats more a camcorder issue. Is fairly sturdy and works well. With the panning i wish it could be adjusted to be a little smoother. Other then that a good quality product.