Sony Handycam DCR-TRV330 Digital-8 Camcorder

Pros: Digital8 compatibility and value, USB and MemoryStick convenience, good picture quality
Cons: Size, low-light video noise

The Sony DCR-TRV330 is a Digital 8™ camcorder with still camera mode, MemoryStick and USB interface.

Why Digital8?

The TRV330 is a Digital8 camcorder. The digital camcorders usually use MiniDV cassettes,...

Pros: Digital8 recording format, digital still features, Memory Stick.
Cons: Pricey for its level of image resolution.

As with many consumer electronics products, buying a Sony Digital8 camcorder is a "One from Column A, One from Column B" type of decision. The camcorders in the Digital8 line are physically almost identical, all being encased in the same plastic...

Pros: Good image and sound quality, work with analog video, high contrast LCD-screen
Cons: In conditions of insufficient light exposure the picture very much "noises"

This camera is already third generation of video cameras of format Digital8. This format has good popularity due to lower cost cameras on a comparison with miniDV-cameras. But they have equivalent quality of shooting and possibility of using inexpensive...

Pros: Lots of bells and whistles. Easy to use.
Cons: Video quality is substandard. Still image quality is even worse.

I purchased the Sony DCR-TRV330 because of the name, and all the really neat features that come with the camera. I looked here on Epinions for a review, but the camera is so new, there were not any, so I based my choice on features alone. This camera is...

Pros: Great price. Easy to use for a first-timer.
Cons: Too many options. Still shots could be better. Does Sony need a manual writer?

Before I begin, I must point out that I am a novice videographer and this camera is my first attempt at moving from still into the more complex world of video recording.

I decided on a Sony after hours of reading up literature and grilling...

Pros: Digital (Sony) quality; backwards-compatible with analog 8 tapes; compact size; total ease of use
Cons: Memory Stick still picture feature -- why bother?

And I hate to say it but they're not perfect. I spent an extra hundred bucks to get something I'm probably rarely going to ever use -- the still picture feature on this otherwise excellent D8 camcorder. The TRV230 was out of stock and a hundred bucks...

Pros: Small, cheaper tapes than a DV, firewire
Cons: Still image capture is only OK

Why I Bought It
My wife and I purchased this camera on a whim. We were going on vacation and we decided to get a camera to take with us.
Out of all of the cameras that were available to us (we went to multiple stores) the DCR-TRV330 seemed to...

Pros: An Excellent camera for outdoor shooting
Cons: Poor below standard quality for indoor shooting

TRV330 has a below standard video quality for indoor shooting.
My much older JVC GR-SV3 and TRV46 produce better quality for indoor.

I never stop thinking, why change from 1/4" CCD to 1/6" CCD,
sacrificing standard indoor shooting...

Pros: Great picture quality; Fun and easy to use; convenient features
Cons: Average Camera Picture quality

Do yourself a favor and pick up this camera. I purchased this camcorder so I could take crisp, clear digital movies, and boy was I satisfied with the results. You have the option of transferring the video data to your computer by analog, or an IEEE...

Pros: Picture quality; Options on LCD; IEEE1394; Price
Cons: Snapshot picture; difficulty of putting on/removing overhead light; battery runs out too quickly

I think this camera is a great alternative to these "DV" camcorders out there, costing at least $900. I got my one for $550 at the time and am very pleased with it.

I use the Digital 8 mini tapes, record, then output into the computer...

Pros: Features, backwards compatibility, still photos, connector choices
Cons: battery

I bought this after much thought about going digital or just getting a cheap 8/HI8. I have a lot of old footage on HI8 tapes and wanted to be able to see it, as well as to be able to use my old tapes and save me some money. The camera has a lot of...

Pros: Very nice features, still camera, good price, good quality outdoors
Cons: Grainy indoors, low battery life

I got this camera at a local Best Buy for $799. I took it home and charged it up. I went down the street and tried some shots. They were very nice quality movies. The pictures were ok also. However, in low light the quality is not AS good, but it's OK....

Pros: GREAT SIZE. EASY TO USE, GREAT PICTURE
Cons: NOT ONE

THE BEST CAMCORDER THAT I HAVE EVER OWN, AND FOR THE PRICE YOU CAN NOT FIND A BETTER VALUE. EASY, EASY TO USE. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GO AND BUY YOURSELF ONE TODAY. THIS CAMCORDER WILL BRING YOU YEARS OF ENJOYMENT. THE ZOOM IS THE BEST. I WAS ABLE TO...

Pros: Nice lightweight camera. Takes Great Videos, with nice Features which make video making fun
Cons: Digital camera Takes very poor pictures.

Nice size. First digital camera I had. Can take it anywhere and doesn't take up much room. The screen is a nice size to see what you want, but it is hard to seen in the sunlight

Pros: Nice videos while it lasted
Cons: Broken after only 6 months

My unit stopped recording after only 6 months of occasional use. Very disappointed since unit was given best of care and used only occasionally. What happened to Sony's quality control????