Sony DCR-TRV330 Digital8 Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode Review

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(More customer reviews)This camera was a birthday gift from my sweetheart and isundoubtedly the best there can be for ME ! But for all you guys outthere - here's what I found out.
1. Being digital hasadvantages... better resolution, color's great etc. Editing, however,is not so easy - takes time and the right tools (e.g. 'AdobePremiere') - so consider tapes being your primary storage medium. I'vemade VCDs and they're worth it but the quality is significantly lesserthan on tape.
2. Requires lots of light - outside it'sbeautiful... inside - JPG-like artifacts appear (also, colored dots ona perfectly white wall) But this is acceptable if you're *not* lookingfor professional quality.
3. Optical Zoom is great - 25X - one ofthe highest and definitely comes in handy. I've turned off digitalzoom (MoreThanYou'llEverNeed X) since it reduces picture quality and Ican anyway do it on the computer while editing. 25X optical is enoughfor most needs.
4. Picture stability (steady shot technology) isgreat - shots from a moving car are stable.
5. Buttons are a bit tooclose to each other - in my first exp., at a friend's party, I must'vemissed a cycle of on/off so, we got to see shots of table tops, walls;) and cleanly missed the action ;) fortunately this lasted for onlyabout 5 mins before i realized. The recording indicator is easy tomiss when you're concentrating on the subject (and if you've had ali'l too many beers ;))...
6. Memory stick stills taken in mediumlight again have JPEG artifacts and paying extra $... (over DCR-TRV230with no memory stick - you *can* take stills on tape) for this is notworth it if you have a digital camera already. However, your cameramight not have 25X optical zoom so think about it. This camera usesthe same chipset for video and stills. In more expensive models, thereare two chipsets.
7. Night shot (shooting in darkness) sounds greatand works great - if you don't mind loss of almost all color and agreenish tinge to everything. To our party, however, it gave a 'BlairWitch' effect - everyone loved it. It's better to have some normal(intruding) light source attached to the CAM.
8. MIC is verysensitive and sound has been amazing throughout.
9. LCD is great -less dotty than DCR-TRV530 and uses less battery (1"smaller).
10. The bundled battery lasts for about 75 mins on an avg- so you want to buy a backup for trips. Charging to FULL was somewhatslower than I expected.
This camera has some built-in editingfeatures which I am yet to explore fully.
To transfer the video tomy computer for editing, I had to shell out an extra $... for aFireWire kit. The installation on Windows 2000 was quite painless - itdid everything for me except plug in the card physically.
Overall a4 rating - a great camera and worth the money you put in - even inthis recession.

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The DCR-TRV330 is a great midlevel Digital8 camcorder. Digital8 utilizes the digital video format, but records onto Hi8 tapes, and can play your old Hi8 and 8mm movies. The 25x optical (28x digital) zoom is combined with image stabilization, a boon since high zooms can lead to increased shakiness. Additionally, the DCR-TRV330 features Sony's NightShot system for 0-lux shooting. An assortment of special effects and faders help give your footage a more professional feel. Also, a 16:9 widescreen shooting mode lets you shoot movies in the same aspect ratio as Hollywood films.
The black-and-white EVF is adequate, but the 2.5-inch color LCD monitor is the better bet for framing your shots. Digital stills can be recorded onto the accompanying 4 MB Memory Stick, and images can be downloaded to your computer via USB. Like all DV camcorders, the audio is recorded at CD-quality levels--PCM digital stereo. Should you need more professional sound than the built-in mic provides, a mic input jack is located on the camcorder.
Because the DCR-TRV330 uses the DV format, you can download your footage to a computer for editing using an IEEE 1394 cable. Analog pass-through ports are built-in, letting you digitally archive all your old analog footage. Also included are a shoulder strap, lens cap, battery, AC adapter, and remote control.

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Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode Review

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(More customer reviews)What makes this camcorder nice is the fact that it is very easy to use. You can keep this as simple as you like, or you can spend some time and learn the more advanced features -- but they are optional and learning them will not get in your way of making great home movies.
With no knowledge of camcorders and a basic understanding of how to connect the power to the cam so that you can charge the battery, you can start making movies.
Video quality is superb and the sound recording works very good. When compared to my old analog tapes the quality of a digital recording is amazing.
Once you master the basics (which is all you ever actually need to know) you can advance at your own pace and learn how to fade in and out and add great titles. Sony provides a number of easy to use titles that overlay on your recordings, or you can make your own.
The instruction booklet is thick with detailed explanations of what, why and when - but the first few pages use pictures and simplicity to explain how to use this unit right out of the box.
One great new feature: Sony has made it easy with scroll wheel that also depresses and allows you to navigate many menus with only your thumb.
I connected my TRV730 directly to my new desktop using the Firewire cable (included with your camcorder!) and loaded the software (Studio DV) that came with my computer (HP Digital Video Desktop System) and within minutes I was controlling my camera from the computer. There is also a USB port if you do not have Firewire capabilites.
I was able to upload several hours of old movies up and into the computer with no problems at all. This unit is backwards compatible (the TRV130 and TRV830 are NOT!) so you can view all of your old analog based recordings.
These new Lithium ION based batteries are great because you can charge them anytime you like without affecting the "memory" and you can charge the unit without ever removing the battery.
I have other cameras that use the first generation lithium-ions and found them to be great batteries that lasted and lasted. These next generation ones are simply smaller with the same amount of power.
Nightshot works great in low light conditions and SUPERnightshot makes it possible to record in virtual darkness. I walked outside on a pitch black night and zoomed in on the license plate of a car across the street and it read perfectly. No way could I read that plate with my own eyes and I have great vision.
The Steadyshot is seamless and works well. My last camcorder (the analog one) did not have this feature and you can tell the difference in my recordings. When you are zooming in, the effect of Steadyshot is increased.
The bottom line is that this camera has a lot of nice features that make it worth the price. The most important feature is that it is easy to use and the controls are intuitive so you can start using your camera as soon as it is charged.
I am a pro-Sony consumer and have spent thousands of dollars on various Sony items. I do this because they WORK and when they don't, Sony stands behind their products with a warranty.
You REALLY don't need those expensive in-house warranties sold at Circuit City and Best Buy, despite what you may read in other reviews. The only decision you should be making is where to save the most money.

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The Sony DCR-TRV730 is a full-featured Digital8 camcorder. Digital8 utilizes the digital video format, but records onto Hi8 tapes, and can play your old Hi8 and 8mm movies. The 18x optical (400x digital) zoom is combined with image stabilization, a boon since high zooms can lead to increased shakiness. Additionally, the DCR-TRV730 has a low-light shooting mode that allows for visibility in near darkness. An assortment of special effects and faders help give your footage a more professional feel. Also, a 16:9 widescreen-shooting mode lets you shoot movies in the same aspect ratio as Hollywood films.
The black-and-white EVF is adequate, but the large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor is the better bet for framing your shots. MPEG movies and digital stills can be recorded onto the accompanying 4 MB Memory Stick, which can then be downloaded to your computer via USB. Like all DV camcorders, the audio is recorded at CD quality levels--PCM digital stereo. Should you need more professional sound than the built-in mic provides, a mic input jack is located on the camcorder.
Because the DCR-TRV730 uses the DV format, you can download your footage to a computer for editing using an IEEE 1394 cable. Analog pass-through ports are built-in, letting you digitally archive all your old analog footage. Also included are a shoulder strap, lens cap, battery, AC adapter, and remote control.

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Sony DCRTRV840 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 3.5" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, and Mega Pixel Video/ Still Review

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(More customer reviews)The TRV840 is like a M1 tank in several ways:
1)When you shoot a subject, you get great results.
2) It can use a variety of "ammo" (plays Hi8 and 8mm tapes also).
3) Weighs "a ton" (stable but rough on the hand after a while).
4) Reliable and sturdy.
Summary: Exceptional video, excellent sound, 1 MP digital stills (Great for email or web posting). Able to convert any video to digital, 8mm inside the camera or other video by pass through. A great feature if you have old videos you want to digitize. Just make sure your PC is up to the task!
For my specific needs of great digital video and the ability to digitize old tapes, I can overlook the excess bulk. Videos should be short and sweet anyway, so I'll just put it down when my hand starts to ache! If you need the same features, the TRV840 can't be beat.

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The Digital8 line was conceived as a path to digital for current owners of 8mm or Hi8 camcorders. The DCR-TRV840 succeeds in that regard, playing back both 8mm and Hi8 tapes.
The TRV840 can also be used as a digital still camera, recording megapixel stills onto the included 8 MB Memory Stick, or it can record MPEG movies. MPEG movies usually are much smaller than DV footage, and can more readily be e-mailed, or posted on the Web. Unlike most MPEG modes, however, the TRV840 lets you record for as long as you want, your only limit is the size of the Memory Stick.
Sony put in a 15x optical zoom and paired it with Super SteadyShot image stabilization. Image stabilization is a handy technology that helps to eliminate the shakiness associated with high zoom levels. The only way to avoid shakiness completely is to utilize a tripod, table, or other stable surface. The 3.5-inch LCD is the best way to frame your shots, although you can use the black-and-white EVF to preserve battery life.
In addition to the normal slew of ports (IEEE 1394, S-Video, Mini AV) that have made their way onto TRV840, there's also a USB port, which, with some included software, offers some interesting functions. There is also one very important port on the TRV840: a mic input. Not only do most camcorders have poor built-in microphones, but also they are often situated too near the tape mechanism, meaning you get the annoying throbbing sound of the tape pulled through the heads.
The DCR-TRV840 comes with a power adapter, InfoLithium battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, remote control, two AA batteries, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, and software CD-ROM.

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Sony DCRTRV120 Digital Camcorder Review

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(More customer reviews)Digital home video is the wave of the future, and this camera truly expresses it. This camera comes close to perfect. It offers EXCELLANT picture quality. The quality is so good I compare it to twice the quality of a full size VHS camera (no not VHS-C). This camera has everything you need. An explanation of the features: Video format: Digital 8: Digital 8 is a digital signal recorded onto a High Band 8mm tape. There is less degradation as the film is played over and over because it's all Digital. Audio: 16 bit PCM Stereo: This meaens that even with that little microphone on the front, you're getting much better quality than with a 8mm or hi8. And it records with 2 channels instead of 1. Maximum CCD Resolution: 460,00 pixels: Thats a freaking ton of resolution for a home video camera. Thats more than anything you've probably ever used. Other things this includes: Super Nightshot 0 LUX: This enables you to shoot in perfect darkness at a better distance than normal nightshot. The camera emits two infraed beams from the front of the camera. This beams scatter and bounce of objects. The camera detects the beams bouncing back, using them to see. i.link DV Interface: This is the new standard for high speed transfer of information, usually digital video. This way you can plug into your computer and edit with it, with out having to sell the farm on equipment to turn analog into digital. 450x Digital Zoom: This means you can zoom in 450 times what the camera normally sees. Perfect for football games or looking for people far away. Auto Focus: The camera focuses it self, so you don't have to do any focusing to shoot S-Video Output: Amazon.com claims it isn't there, but it is. This enables non-digital transfer of very high quality video, your DVD player probably uses this feature. There are other features, but there are too many to mention! Over all this is an EXCELLENT camera. It lives up to the name Sony.

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The Sony DCR-TRV120 uses the Digital 8 format, which digitally recordsimages onto standard Hi8 tapes. If you're upgrading from an 8mm or Hi8 camera,this format gives you the combined benefits of digital image quality andbackwards compatibility with your old tapes.
A 25x optical zoom and 450xdigital zoom will bring your shots closer, and Sony SteadyShot imagestabilization technology will help to keep shakes and wobbles out of your video.For audio, the DCR-TRV120 offers 16-bit PCM digital stereo with 12-bit dubbing.If you prefer to shoot in the 16:9 widescreen ratio, this is also an option. Tocompose your films, you can use either the standard eyepiece viewfinder or a2.5-inch swivel color LCD display.
With Sony's LaserLink feature, playback canbe a snap--you just aim the DCR-TRV120 at the LaserLink receiver on select SonyTVs from up to 16 feet away, press play, and enjoy your videos directly on yourTV--without wires or cassette adapters.
If you're planning to digitally edityour videos on your computer, the Sony includes an industry standard IEEE 1394port (also known as iLink and FireWire) for image transfer, and a Control-L(LANC) interface for connection to editing equipment.
Sony's Super NightShotinfrared system lets you capture footage in two modes. In standard NightShotmode the camera uses available visible and infrared light to illuminate thesubject. With Super NightShot, an infrared LED on the front of the camera actslike an infrared spotlight: to the naked eye, it just looks like a standard redLED, but it produces enough infrared light to effectively illuminate the area infront of the camera.
The camera includes numerous extra features, including 14picture effects and a five-mode audio-video fader, end search (whichautomatically forwards your tape to the end of the last footage shot), editsearch, seven-mode program auto exposure, pass-through analog AV inputs, and anintelligent shoe for accessories.

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