DCR-TRV730, GREAT CAMERA!
Written: Jun 03 '02 (Updated Oct 08 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: very easy to use, MEGA pixel video quality, MPEG movie mode, built in digital camera
Cons: still picture quality sometimes pixelated, can't eject tape when on a tripod.
The Bottom Line: This is a great camcorder, with many features and an excellent video image quality and fair quality still images. It's 2 in 1. It's good for beginners and professionals.
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| ellesboro's Full Review: |
I previously owned a Samsung 8mm camcorder it was a great starting camcorder, but I wanted something more. I wanted a camcorder that could connect to my computer, produce excellent video, have still image technology, be easy to use and be under $800. The Digital 8 730 was the answer.
I actually live in Canada and I purchased this camcorder a few months ago at the Sony store. I looked around at different places in toronto like Future shop etc... I bought from the Sony store because the sales people knew everything there was to know about the camcorder, they were very friendly and the price was the same as any other store, $1200 Canadian. I also purchased from there because they offered free seminars on how to operate the camcorder, which was very nice. They also offer extended warranties for a low cost because the camcorder only has a 1 year warranty.
There are many strong points of this camcorder. I love to make movies with my friends and i needed a camcorder with features that make my movies look professional. It has so many features, like digital (6 effects)and picture effects (8 effects) which add a nice touch to your movies. It also has SUPER steadyshot which helps compensate for movenment when you are walking and filming or in a car. It also has nightshot which lets you film in complete darkness. A really cool feature!!!! There are also titles to choose from and you can custom make your own!
There are many inputs and outputs in this camcorder. They include A/V in/out, S-video in/out, USB in/out, and DV (or firewire IEEE 1394) in/out. I can use the DV to transfer video to my computer. I purchased a capture card which lets me do this and it included software to edit my videos and add sound effects and 3-D titles. When I was done, I could send it back to the camcorder and copy it to VHS! I use the S-video and A/V to transfer video to my TV. The camcorder comes with a A/V cable but not S-video.
The built in digital camera is a very cool function! It's like having to products in one!!! I can take still pictures and store them to my tape or on the memory card. I then can use the USB cable to transfer the images to my computer and into the image software included in the camcorder package. I can also store MPEG movies onto the memory card so I can send them through e-mail very easily.
One of my favourite features is that this model has 8mm/Hi8mm playback. On my old 8mm, I recorded onto about 18 tapes and I didn't want to waste them. This camcorder lets me playback my old tapes. When you compare to MiniDV, Digital 8 is way better because it records on 8 or hi8 mm tapes instead in MiniDV, which cost more and produce the same quality as Digital 8.
There is very little that I didn't like about the camcorder. I thought the battery life could have been longer, I only get about 50 minutes of life when I use the LCD and about 100 when I don't. If you get this camcorder for the digital camera, just get a digital camera. This is a camcorder, and the still image feature is just a nice thing to have when your in the moment.
Overall, I am very happy with my camcorder and have already had some fantastic memories captured on it, like the grand canyon in the U.S and Nigera falls in Canada. I would recommend it to anyone.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ellesboro
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Member: James Poremba
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me:
I'm 20, love photography, cinematography, and post -production. Currently attending RyersonU for film studies.
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