Sony DCR-TRV340 Digital8 Camcorder With Memory Stick
Written: Apr 05 '02
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
 |
|
| Battery Life: |
 |
|
| Movie Quality: |
|
|
|
Pros: Price, features, picture quality, Memory Stick, analog inputs with pass-through, USB
Cons: The supplied battery's life is short, unless you turn the LCD off
The Bottom Line: The TRV340 is a good camcorder need Memory Stick capability, analog inputs and/or 8mm/Hi8 playback. If you don’t need ...
|
|
|
| dkozin's Full Review: Sony Handycam DCR-TRV340 Digital-8 Camcorder |
The Sony DCR-TRV340 is a replacement for TRV330. It is a Digital 8™ camcorder with 8mm/Hi8 playback, which also has Memory Stick recording capability.
Digital Dilemma – Digital8 vs. MiniDV
This TRV340 uses Digital8 format, unlike majority of camcorders of other companies that use MiniDV cassettes. MiniDV cassettes are small and specially designed for use with digital camcorders, whereas the D8 camcorders use regular Hi8 tapes, but perform digital recording (using DV format – the same as in MiniDV).
The cam is backward compatible with 8mm and Hi-8 tapes, which means it can play existing 8mm or Hi-8 recordings (but it cannot record in analog 8mm or Hi8). Sony recommends Hi8 tapes for use with D8 camcorders, but the 8mm tapes will work too.
However, Sony recommends playing 8mm tapes on the same camcorder that was used to record them. As is the case with MiniDV camcorders, the D8 camcorders can record in SP mode (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 60 minutes of digital video) or LP (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 90 minutes). And Sony recommends to play the LP-recorded tapes on the same camcorder.
You cannot record in LP speed on an 8mm tape. To be able to record in LP, you have to buy Hi8 tapes. In other words, I suggest you to use Hi8 tapes and don’t use LP speed unless you absolutely need to.
Advantages of a Digital8 camcorder:
1. Sony D8 camcorders are cheaper than their MiniDV models and sometimes have more features for less.
2. Hi8 tapes cost a little less than MiniDV.
3. You can play your existing 8mm or Hi8 recordings on a D8 model
Picture
The picture quality is excellent, at least for this price range. Since the recording is digital, the picture quality should not deteriorate as time goes by (unlike analog recordings). The colors are vivid and edges of objects are well-defined.
Sound
The camcorder has 12-Bit and 16-Bit mode (both use digital PCM – pulse code modulation and record stereo sound). In 12-bit mode you can have two stereo soundtracks (at some expense of dynamic range). The 16-bit mode provides better dynamic range, but only one stereo soundtrack can be recorded at a time.
The cam’s built-in stereo microphone is adequate and you can also connect an external microphone to a microphone jack or get an optional microphone that connects to the “intelligent accessory shoe” and “zooms” with the camera.
Zoom
There camcorder manufacturers accentuate camcorders’ digital zoom numbers: you can see numbers like 400x, 560x, 700x. What matters more is the optical zoom, and here the TRV340 delivers – it has 25x optical zoom, which is more than most of the camcorders on the market. The optical 25x zoom is complimented by the 700x digital zoom.
You can switch between “optical zoom only” mode and several allowed digital zoom limit levels using the menu. The optical zoom is usually sufficient for virtually all situations. The variable-speed zoom allows you to zoom in and out very slowly, giving your video more professional look, especially if use a tripod and pan at the same time.
The Super SteadyShot® image stabilizer is very effective and removes unwanted picture shake, which is especially important when you use zoom.
Inputs
This model has an A/V in/out, S-Video in/out, i.Link in/out (Sony’s name for FireWire, IEEE 1394), headphone out, microphone input, USB. The i.Link® Digital Interface is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible digital VCRs, edit controllers and computers. If your computer has a FireWire input and editing software, you can edit your footage, add titles, transitions, music, narration...
The analog inputs allow you either record analog signal in digital form on the tape or pass it through the i.Link out in digital format. I get emails from people who read my reviews and ask me how are analog inputs related to the camcorder’s ability to play 8mm/Hi8 recordings. These are two separate features, even though they are related in the fact that the analog signal gets converted to digital form.
Data Code
As other digital camcorders, the TRV340 records so-called “Data Code” on the tape in digital form separately from the picture. Editing software also uses data code for locating new scenes, etc. Data includes the date, time and recording parameters. This gives you the ability to search for recording by date using the supplied remote control. You can also see the information about the recording conditions as well as date/time by pressing the “Data Code” button.
VCR Mode
The camcorder has 4 modes – VCR, Off, Camera and Memory. The VCR mode allows you to see your material and transfer it to a VCR or other devices using i.Link, A/V out or S-Video. You can also use the supplied remote for advanced search, using data code – search for still pictures or video, use slow motion playback, etc. The buttons to control playback, rewind, etc, are located on the top of the camcorder.
Features
The cam has both a B&W viewfinder and a 2.5" LCD (LCD has good visibility in sunlight) as well as a built-in speaker. The camcorder has picture effects (including digital effects) and several A/V fader modes.
The shutter speed and exposure, which are usually automatic, can be adjusted manually, which might be helpful in low light conditions and to avoid overexposure. Also helpful are programmed AE modes. Sometimes people ask me if there is an issue with low-light noise with some particular camcorder. The problem is usually in the improperly set Program AE, which causes overexposure and video noise. Pay attention to the Program AE and/or set the exposure manually and you will be fine.
You can shoot in total darkness with Sony’s Super NightShot™. The NightShot™ System provides better overall picture quality by automatically selecting from two shutter speeds. The built-in infrared light can be switched on and off using the menu.
The manual focus is also present in addition to automatic ones. The camcorder also allows you to shoot still pictures using Digital Photo Mode.You can later find the pictures among the video segments using “Photo Search” mode from the supplied remote (if you recorded your still pictures on the tape). The remote also allows you to search by date, using data code.
The USB connection simplifies the transfer to your computer (but it is much slower than i.Link).
Memory Stick
The TRV340 features Memory Stick capability that allows you record digital still pictures and short MPEG clips on a Memory Stick (one stick is included). The stick simplifies searching and speeds up access.
Remote Control
The remote control that is included has a rocker switch to control zoom, record/stop button, buttons to control playback functions as well as some functions that are unavailable without the remote (slow motion playback, frame-by-frame, date search, photo search, etc.). The batteries for the remote are included as well as a USB cable, software, A/V cable, shoulder strap and power adaptor.
Battery
When the camcorder is in the “Off” mode, the power cord can be connected to the camcorder while the battery is attached to charge it. Stamina® Power Management cuts power consumption and extended battery life when camera is not in use. InfoLithium feature allows you to see the approximate remaining power at any time: AccuPower™ meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder and is very accurate (varies according to the current power consumption).
To conserve battery power, you can close the LCD and use the viewfinder – I find that it increases the battery’s useful time between charges substantially.
Bottom Line
The TRV340 is a good camcorder need Memory Stick capability, analog inputs and/or 8mm/Hi8 playback. If you don’t need Memory Stick, the TRV240 is your cheaper alternative.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 699
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
|
 in Electronics |
 - Top 10 |
|
Location: California
Reviews written: 838
Trusted by: 517 members
About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.