Sony DCR TRV350 Digital8 Digital Camcorder Under $500
Written: Mar 12 '03 (Updated Apr 13 '05)
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Pros: Low price, very good picture quality, analog inputs, 8mm/Hi8 playback, features
Cons: Short battery life (unless you get optional battery), still photo quality
The Bottom Line: The TRV350 is a good camcorder at a low price. It has analog inputs, 8mm/Hi8 playback, produces very good picture quality and ...
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| dkozin's Full Review: Sony Handycamâ„¢ DCR-TRV350 Digital-8 Camcorder |
The Sony DCR-TRV350 is a replacement for TRV340. It is a Digital 8™ camcorder with 8mm/Hi8 playback, which also has Memory Stick recording capability.
Digital8 vs. MiniDV
This camcorder 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 TRV350 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. Since you can buy Hi8 tapes for about $3-4 now, it makes little sense to try to save by using cheaper 8mm tapes and having to deal with potential problems later on though.
As is the case with MiniDV camcorders, the Digital8 camcorders can record in “regular” SP mode (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 60 minutes of digital video) or LP-long play mode (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 90 minutes). Sony recommends that you play the LP-recorded tapes on the camcorder used to record them.
Advantages of a Digital8 camcorder:
1. Sony D8 camcorders are cheaper than their MiniDV models and sometimes have more features for less money (e.g. analog inputs).
2. Hi8 tapes cost a little less than MiniDV.
3. You can play your existing 8mm or Hi8 recordings on this model
Disadvantages:
1. MiniDV camcorders are more widespread and you risk being stuck with tapes which you can’t play in other camcorders.
2. Hi8 tapes are larger in size than MiniDV.
Zoom
Although the camcorder manufacturers talk about their camcorders’ digital zoom numbers (you can see numbers like 400x, 560x, 700x), what matters more is the optical zoom, and here the TRV350 does quite well. It has 20x optical zoom. The 20x optical zoom is supplemented by the 700x digital zoom.
The optical zoom is usually sufficient for virtually all situations. The variable-speed zoom allows you to zoom at different speeds and if you zoom in and out very slowly, you can give your videos more professional look, especially if use a tripod and pan at the same time.
The SteadyShot® image stabilizer is very effective and removes unwanted picture shake, which is especially important when you use high magnification levels.
Picture Quality
The camcorder produces excellent picture quality in video mode, especially for this price range (this model sells for less than $480). 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. The result is quite good for a camcorder that only has 460K-pixel CCD.
The use of proper auto exposure (AE) program will insure low video noise. I get a lot of questions from people complaining about camcorders having video noise in dark scenes. Most of the time, the problem is not the camcorder itself but people’s inability to read manuals and desire to blame equipment for their own lack of expertise. They choose inadequate AE mode, which results in overexposed picture with video noise.
Sound
The cam’s built-in stereo microphone is adequate and you can also connect an external stereo microphone to a microphone jack.
Inputs/Outs
The TRV350 has an A/V in/out, S-Video in/out, i.Link in/out (Sony’s name for FireWire, IEEE 1394), microphone input, USB and LANC editing interface connector. Microphone input and LANC jack are not covered and can be used at any time without having to remove the lid.
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 and 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.
Digital Still Pictures and Memory Stick
The camcorder has Memory Stick slot and allows you record digital still pictures and short MPEG clips on a Memory Stick (you have to buy the stick separately). The stick simplifies searching and speeds up access to your photos. The pictures can be taken at 640x480 resolution in Standard or Fine mode.
Using fine mode (standard mode introduces more artifacts), you can store 50 images on an inexpensive 8Mb stick, which should be sufficient. The 640x480 resolution is generally adequate for emailing or web posting, but not by any means a replacement for a “real” camera (film or digital).
Data Code
As other digital camcorders, the TRV350 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. You can use the camcorder as a VCR (with limited functionality, but great picture quality). With its high resolution and lack of video noise (in VCR mode), the TRV350 can be used once in a while as a digital VCR with resolution and picture quality better than DVD recorders’. The camcorder uses DV compression, which produces much less artifacts than MPEG-2 at lower bit rate used in DVD recorders.
Features
The cam has both a B&W viewfinder and a 2.5" LCD as well as a built-in speaker. The camcorder auto and manual focus, has picture effects (including digital effects) and several A/V fader modes, 6 modes of program AE.
You can shoot in total darkness with Sony’s Super NightShot™ (with no color). The NightShot™ System provides better overall picture quality by automatically selecting from two shutter speeds. And the Slow Shutter mode allows you shoot dark scenes in color but with jerky motion.
The USB connection simplifies the transfer of still images to your computer (but it is much slower than i.Link). i.Link allows you to transfer video in digital form to your computer for editing or archiving (e.g. on DVD-R).
Remote Control
The remote control is included and allows you 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. 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 screen 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. The supplied NP-FM30 battery lasts only about 30-40 minutes with LCD on and about 40-60 minutes with LCD off.
Bottom Line
The TRV350 is a good camcorder at a low price. It has analog inputs, 8mm/Hi8 playback, produces very good picture quality and serves as a digital still camera for email-sized pictures.
My Reviews of Other Digital Camcorders
Sony DVD Camcorders:
Sony DCR-DVD201 Handycam DVD Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-DVD101 Handycam DVD Camcorder Review
Sony MiniDV Camcorders:
Sony DCR-HC40 1-Megapixel Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-HC30 Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Sony DCR-HC20 Handycam Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Sony Digital8 Camcorders:
Sony DCR-TRV460 Handycam Digital8 Digital Camcorder Review
Panasonic MiniDV Camcorders:
Panasonic PV-GS200 Palmcorder 3CCD Mini DV Digital Camcorder Review
Panasonic PV-GS120 Palmcorder Mini DV Digital 3CCD Camcorder Review
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 480
Recommended for: Budget Buyers - Best Values to Fit the Budget
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dkozin
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I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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