5 comments about Sony DCRTRV120 Digital Camcorder.

1. I got one of these used a few years ago after doing some research into the features and reputations of similar cameras. I've had no problems with it.
   
   Video quality is excellent, and it works seamlessly with iMovie, which I use for editing.
   
   I disabled the digital zoom (which degrades the picture quality); 25X optical zoom is already impressive, especially with the SteadyShot camera-shake compensation.
   
   The camera operates surprisingly well with low light, even without engaging NightShot.
   
   The "digital still photo" feature on any video camera is essentially a gimmick, so I'm not counting this camera's poor still-photo quality in my rating. Even the cheapest pocket digital camera will take a better still photo than a high-priced video camera -- so hey, buy a used DV camera and get yourself a cheap still camera to go with it.
   
   I've found Digital-8 highly convenient, because I can get Hi-8 tapes in many stores that still don't carry MiniDV tapes.
   
   I only wish the camera were super-tiny, but hey, it's not a cutting-edge supercamera -- it's a good, solid camcorder. Works for me!



2. I have had the same problem another reviewer mentioned. The tape will stop moving and the indicator flashes the icon for 'tape end' even though it's not at the end. This has happened to me both in recording and in playback. Then, when you try to eject it, it doesn't open all the way - it gets stuck midway so that you can't get the tape out, and you can't push the thing closed. The only way I've figured out how to move beyond this is to unplug and plug in the AC cord while you've got the camera turned on - sometimes SOMETIMES this works, until the next time it does it. Curiously, another camera I use at work, the TRV 58 (which is the same body but only HI 8, not digital) - has done the same thing to me.
   
   This is the second problem I've had with this camera. When I first bought it, the colors were strange. Reds were extreme and off. I had to take it to SONY twice before it started looking okay. The images have been pretty good since then.
   
   I used to be 'lucky' enough to have a SONY place near by that I could take it to. Now I'm asked to ship it a pay a lot just to have it looked at. Since then, I've bought a Canon ZR 60 that's pretty decent, but I don't love it. (Loading and unloading the cassette from underneath is a pain.) I'm envious of all the people who say how wonderful their camcorder is. The TRV 120 has been a pain since I got it.
   
   What really bothers me is that, once you've plunked down the money, you're stuck with what you've got. If there's a problem, you send it away and you're without a camcoder for awhile. Then when the problems recur, it's the same old story. There ought to be a lemon law for camcorders.



3. I am 12 years old. I got this camera for my birthday, it's a really good camera, great quality, great effects, the only problem is that it dosen't have good exposure control. When ever i put the exposure setting on automatic, and put the camera in a kind of sunny spot, the camera dosen't control the exposure. The picture looks a little to bright when you plug it in. Otherwise, its a great camera because its got a great zoom distance, its big, so you can't shake it as much, and it's great for kids who want to make movies, like me.
   -Drew Medak



4. We got this camcorder back in 2000 and it is still serving us reliably. This has captured hundreds of hours worth of tape over the past 6 and a half years and it is still going strong.
   
   The digital 8 format has proven to be very useful because you could use regular 8mm tapes on it. There have been occassions when we were in foreign places that didn't have miniDV tapes, but did have 8mm or Hi-8 tapes for sale. Plus, it records digitally so transferring to a PC for editing via firewire is easy.
   
   This was good technology at the time we got it but, as with any electronic gadget, improvements happen all the time. Thus, it is time to upgrade our technology so we are planning to get a new camcorder soon (probably a Sony HDV model). However, we will still keep this one to be able to play and edit our mountain of memories shot on Digital8.



5. I recently purchased this to replace my old Canon Hi8 camcorder. I've been always the fan of Canon camcorder but this is very solid and high quality camcorder. I have lots of old 8mm & Hi8 tapes and this is a great camcorder to transfer them to DVD or upload to PC (since this camcorder is Digital8). Being able to digitally transfer your old 8mm & Hi8 tape to PC is a great function to have. This also has amazing Zoom and very good video quality. I am very satisfied with the purchase.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV340 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.5" LCD USB Streaming, & Memory Stick capability.

1. This is a great video camera for the price.

   After getting a chance to play around with my parent's camera, I fell in love with the TRV340. This is my first digital video camera and I'm very happy with it. It produces great video and sound, though you can't compare it with a mega-pixel or 3CCD camera. The camera uses Sony's digital 8 format which lets the camera read older 8mm tapes. Digital quality on Digital 8 tapes is equal to that of MiniDV. So, if you've got a collection of those tapes, this is a great way to convert them into digital video. The camera is a little larger than the MiniDV cameras, but the added weight makes it less shaky in your hand. Because of the included Firewire (IEEE 1394) port, it's a breeze to transfer video to your computer, provided it also has a Firewire port. I use a Mac so I can't comment on the quality of the included windows editing software.

   The battery that comes with the camera won't last very long and I highly recommend an additional battery, though they are a bit pricey. I also recommend a good, sturdy tripod, and a screw-on UV filter. This filter costs very little and will protect the lens from scratches and smudges. Another good accessory would be a boom microphone that attaches to the intelligent shoe. Sound is often overlooked on camcorders and most of them have terrible onboard mics.

   While this camera has the ability to take digital stills and save them to a memory stick, the resolution is very low and the pictures don't look very good. They're somewhat disappointing.

   I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to get into digital video or anyone with a collection of 8mm tapes that they want to preserve.




2. After reading many specs and reviews for both MiniDV and Digital 8 cameras I settled on the 340. I have not been disappointed. This camera is feature rich and gives excellent quality video. As with any video camera the still picture quality is poor. If you want quality still pictures, the best way is to get a proper digital still camera. The menu system is very easy to use but some parts of the owners manual are not really very clear and skimps a bit on detail so there are one or two features I still haven't worked out. The built in microphone sensitivity is excellent and I have not noticed any real problem with drive motor noise pick up by the mike. The ergonomics of a couple of the controls could be improved. I have an average size hand and find my thumb needs to be almost double jointed to operate the on/off mode switch, especially to switch it on, if I want to use the camera with one hand only. The zoom control could also be improved. I think a two finger forward, aft operated zoom control would have been easier to use. These things I am willing to tolerate because of the excellent value for money this camera provides and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting features and quality for a reasonable price.



3. Thist is the best camera ive ever purchased and arguably the best Digital8 Camera ever.The TRV-340 has all the features u need. And it beats a MiniDV because it has a Super Night Shot Mode and 700 Zoom wich works great, 25 Optical Zoom too! Believe me u will not be dissapointed if u buy this camcorder!



4. I had the DCR-TRV340 since May 2003 and it has proven to be a versatile and nearly trouble-free video camera, as it has been used for nearly every week at various events since. The 340's method of digitally encoding 8mm tapes (Digital8) have made it inexpensive (at the time) to buy tapes compared to the MiniDV format and that a standard, basic 8mm tape can be used, contrary to the manufacturer's recommendation of Hi8 tapes. Video quality from the image sensor is acceptable, though it could be better (and is on the 740/840 models). The digital still capture feature is more of a novelty (with its 640x480 max resolution), though can be convenient in certain cases. The 340 also makes a good video deck, as it can record video from other sources. It can also pass the external video source via Firewire to your computer, and webcam function through USB, eliminating a dedicated capture card; these features are almost nonexistent in today's lower/mid-line video cameras. Only issue was a loose board connection within my 340 which caused some of the transport functions to do one function - record; which was temporarily resolved with a smack to the camera body (until I had the time to disassemble it).



5. I like the DCR-TRV340 very much. This is a well built camcorder with a super lens that makes making great video's possible. I have done several video's of auto races and if you type ( Center Street Auto Racing ) in your browser you will see the many Strictly and Super Street races that I video taped using my DCR-TRV340 camcorder. I use my Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable to put my video clip files on my computer. I have also used my DCR-TRV340 to video tape Horse Shows and do book promotions. If you are using the Yahoo.com search engine and type in ( Paso Fino Horses on the Sounding Board ) you will see a very nice video I did that was also done with my Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder.
   
   My Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder has been very good to me and I recommend it very highly. One drawback the Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder has is that the memory stick can only do a video of up to one minute and you can put that file on your computer using the AV cable but if you do a video over a minute long you will need to use a Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable to put that video onto your computer so if you want to put your video's on your computer and the video's are over a minute long and you want to put the video's on a memory stick you will need a camcorder that allows you to put longer video's on your camcorder memory stick like a a DCR-TRV350, a DCR-TRV33,or a DCR-TRV460 does as well as some other Sony Camcorders.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV310 Handycam Digital Camcorder.

1. This camcorder is great and has every feature you need. It is self expainatory and easy to use. The best feature is the digital camera which takes photos along with being a digital recorder. The only thing that would make it better is if it recorded onto a floppy. The color screen monitor is awesome and the microphone picks up every quite detail. It is well worth the investment and we enjoy it a lot!



2. This must have been the best handycam for the price when I bought it! And I love the death out of it! All I can say is that this camera would still be great if it were still manufactured, 3 years later! If you find one someone who is selling this camera in good condition, by all means get it! It's a great camera!



3. The B&W viewfinder is better than color for manual focus and contrast. Having both in the package is a plus and not a negative.



4. The Sony DCR TRV310 works _very_ well as a Windows XP camcorder. Windows XP Professional include Windows Movie Maker. This el-cheapo free-bee isn't adequate. In 2002, Microsoft released a free upgrade: Windows Movie Maker 2. Version 2 ROCKS. With a whole host of new camera effects, a zoo of fades, excellent title and credit control, and very controllable multiple audio tracks, it's possible to do quite a bit of movie editing, without paying a dime more for software. Version 2 even allows you to re-record your finished video back onto the camera!

   I bought my Sony DCR TRV310 used (partly broken). Since the input/output connections don't work properly, I just plug my TRV310 into the FireWire port, and use Windows Movie Maker 2's capture mode to control the camcorder -- right on the computer screen!

   I sent somebody some video I had shot, stored as a .WMV file on a CD-R. He sent me back a note thanking me for the DVD!!!

   This model is aging, and its cost is going down. Since it does everything you'll want, including playing back 8-mm and Hi8 tapes directly into Windows XP in digital format, it's still an excellent buy -- and an even better value than ever!

   Windows Movie Maker 2's minimum computer requirements are, CPU 1,500 Mhz (1.5 GHz), 512 K RAM, lots of disk space (20 GB+), and a FireWire port. Since Windows Movie Maker 2 uses Microsoft-specific storage formats, you may want to spend a few $$$ to purchase third-party video editing software, which will record to more formats, or give you DVD authoring capability.

   Suggested equipment upgrades for the TRV310: External clip-on microphone for better forward gain & extended bass sound; 8-hr InfoLithium battery HIGHLY recommended.




5. I have had this camcorder for 4 years and I am still happy with the purchase.
   
   For myself being a big guy, I was never comfortable with the tiny MiniDV camcorders out there, and the size of the Digital8 camcorders is a nice fit in my hands, without being too large and heavy for my wife to use comfortably.
   
   I have not had much chance to do comparison testing, but the picture quality is very good. In some cases I might think the color is a bit undersaturated, but I prefer this to seeing colors pushed beyond what they should be. I have no complaints about the sharpness of the video. In very low light the picture doers become grainy; I suspect that new camcorders out there may do a better job in low light than the TRV310.
   
   One thing I really like about this camcorder today is that it seems better built than the Digital8 models than Sony is currently producing. In addition, the lens is a bit larger on the early Digital8 models, so low light performance may actually be better than the current ones (but I have not done a comparison). I also will recommend the TRV130 for video editing; I have had no problems loading video off of the camcorder onto my Windows XP PC with a firewire cable.
   
   My complaints on the camcorder:
   1. Still uses tape, which can jam up inside the camcorder (luckily I havent lost a tape yet). I've also been told specifically to use *only* Sony Hi8 / Digital8 tapes with this unit.
   2. There is a manual exposure setting, which is good for shooting candlelit scenes, etc. But the camera is missing a manual white balance that I wish it had. The white balance is done automatically when the camera is turned on; when indoors with natural light I will point the lens to a blue object at powerup to eliminate a bluish tint to the picture; likewise if the indoor scene is lit I will point at a warm-toned object to eliminate everything looking orange.
   3. The supplied Infolithium battery is useless. I which Sony would include one of the larger batteries as standard.
   4. As mentioned above, low light performance could be better. The low light settings the camera provides are rarely used.
   
   Altogether, I'm very happy with this camcorder.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV140 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Video Light & USB Streaming.

1. When I first started to look at camcorders I didn't know exactly what I wanted. The number of features was overwhelming and I wasn't sure which ones would prove valuable. I ended up decided on a set of core features: digital recording, reasonable size, good zoom and computer connectivity.

   I finally ended up with the TRV-140 and it has been great. It is a standard handcam size, which means it fits comfortably in your hand but isn't tiny. The 20x optical zoom is very nice. I have yet to need the digital zoom and haven't even considered buying a telephoto lens.

   To connect the camera to your computer all you need is a firewire card and the right cable (4 pin to 6 pin). Transferring video was as simple as connecting the cable. Windows XP immediately recognized the camera and I was able to capture and edit film using the MovieMaker software included with XP.

   My only complaint is the battery life. The standard battery doesn't last very long, especially if you use the LCD. Consider picking up a second battery when you purchase the camcorder. Sony has a couple of offerings, but all are rather expensive. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the compatible batteries made by Duracell or Ray-o-vac.




2. We had been very happy with this camcorder - until we pulled it out to take Christmas pictures of our 15-month old son and the camcorder wouldn't record. It wouldn't eject the tape, and after repeated calls to customer service, we've been told that they'll pay for parts, but the labor to fix it is just over $200. Unfortunately even though we've only used the camcorder for under 15 hours, we're outside the 90 days for labor warranty (who'd have thought the camcorder would be unusable after under 15 hours of use?).

   Still waiting on a callback from customer service, but having gone up 4 levels already, it's not looking like they'll fix the product.

   Think our model will be headed for the trash - and we'll be looking at anything BUT Sony for future purchases. I would definitely steer clear of a Sony after this experience.




3. I bought my camera over a year ago and I'm very please with all the options. Great zoom, great night shoot, take great quality movies and all. The only drawback I've found so far is the IEEE-1394 support. There's no way to sincronize it when capturing video using the firewire option. The sound is garbled when using with Vegas Foundry 4.0 and the capture run too fast out of sinc on windows movie maker 2. I tried everything including using my other computer which has a different type of IEEE-1394 card and the problem is the same. I tried getting some help from the people at Sony but all they say is they are not responsible with compatibility issues with third party firewire cards. It doesn't matter how many times you write them, that is the only answer you get. So, with that and all, is not a bad camera at all, just don't plan on using firewire for your movie capture, just be please with the usb or you can use the s-video option if you have a vide capture card.



4. I am very dissapointed with SONY products in general. They have always been my preferred brand for TVs and other electronics over the years. But in the past 5 years we have purchased a home entertainment center and this camcorder and with hardly any use they are both broken and obviously out of warranty. The home entertainment center was fixed by Sony by them sending us a completely new unit - and it has the exact same error message as the old one - and we hardly used the thing and now it is broken, out of warranty and stuck on the "Standby" message which blinks continuously :( And For the Camcorder - we only used it occasionally and have recorded a total of 3 of the mini tapes and now SONY wants me to pay $211 flat rate to fix unit since it is out of warranty... Very dissapointing - especially since I always believed they made quality products. We will not purchase SONY products again.



5. had this recorder for years now and it still preforms like new. the only thing i've improved on is a new upgraded battery..

5 comments about Sony DCR-TRV330 Digital8 Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode.

1. Bought this camera less than 2 years ago and I thought it was pretty good, except the digital part. Terrible pictures, it isn't worth the extra $$. However, the camera recently broke, despite extremely mild usage. The camera will no longer close with a cassette inside. I now know that this defect is fairly common, but an expensive repair. I'm looking for a different camera, different brand. Sony has a quality problem.



2. I've been looking around at prices and i'de say this is the best price I've found. I was checking out other cameras and found one for $500. It was not as good as this one and cost more. Its worth your cash and the specs are nice! Like the 25x optical zoom is crazy. The digital zoom doesn't really make a difference after u get over 200x zoom on that. So dont think that 700x zoom makes much of a difference. I'de say buy it asap.



3. This Digicam sulks..I used it for < 2years and it has gone kaput. When I reported this to the Sony Service center they asked for $300 repair cost. They are living in anachronistic times when they quoted this sky high rate. You can get a new one (and that too the latest model ) for a little more than $300.



4. Numerous reports of camera stopping (type DCR trv38 and problem in google and you'll see what I mean) . The screen goes blank and that's the end of your DCR. Costs about $300 to repair. Reports from 2 months to 2 years usage and not linked to how often used or how treated. It is a problem with the "board" and your camera WILL die it's just a matter of when. It happened to us and we are thinking it was just us. We're buying a new DCR and you can bet it won't be a SONY even if they gave us one--they are too unreliable.



5. I have had my TRV 330 camera since March 2001. This is now summer 2009 I am just now having trouble with the tape ejection This camera has gone with me to Europe,Canada and most important at home. It is a great camera. I paid about $1100. back in 2001. I will be checking cost of repairs. If the cost is reasonable I will be fixing it.Sony DCR-TRV330 Digital8 Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV250 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, USB Streaming and Remote.

1. Sony camcorders have a factory defect that the ccd screen goes black when in record mode after a few tapes of use. I was asked to pay $270 to fix it. Beware.. there are thousands of such reported problems on this and other camcorder review sites. I would suggest that you read them before buying a Sony product.



2. EXPERIENCE THE INCREDIBLE FEATURES OF THE SONY DIGITAL8® CAMCORDER!
   PLAYS THRU YOUR COMPUTER AND RECORDS TO A DVD...THIS IS A NICE UNIT, EASY TO USE..!
   The Sony® DCR-TRV250 camcorder delivers all the benefits of Digital8 recording quality in a smaller chassis.
   The TRV250 features a 2.5-inch color LCD display and you can make your own digital-quality movies!
   In addition to its crisp, clear digital video and stereo audio, the Sony TRV250 can also stream live and recorded moving video to a PC via USB.
   Transfer video to your PC via iLink interface (also known as FireWire) to edit your masterpiece with the included software.
   Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization smoothes and steadies your images without degrading picture quality. Sony does it with motion sensors--a more accurate system than those used by many other camcorders on the market.
   Now you can capture video even in total darkness.
   Sony's NightShot system uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye.
   You can shoot subjects such as a sleeping baby up to 10 feet away in total darkness.
   Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV250 incredible operating time.
   To keep tabs on battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining--right in the viewfinder!
   The Sony TRV250 measures 3.63 by 4.00 by 7.88 inches.
   FEATURES INCLUDE:
   **) 20X Optical/700X Digital Zoom
   **) 2.5" SwivelScreen LCD Display
   **) SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System
   **) NightShot Infrared 0 Lux System
   **) Photo Mode
   **) Digital8 System
   **) 1/6" CCD 460K Pixels
   **) USB Streaming Feature
   **) i.LINK DV Interface
   **) Built-In Light (3 Watt)
   **) On screen Battery Information
   **) InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System
   **) Digital Program Editing
   **) Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes
   **) Picture Effects Mode
   This package includes the TRV250 camcorder, power adaptor/in-camera charger InfoLithium rechargeable battery, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and CD-ROM with PIXELA ImageMixer Version 1.5 software and USB driver software.
   
   Model No: DCR-TRV250 (R)
   Weight: 5.5 Lbs.



3. I have not had any problems with my camera, but I have two family members who have the same camera and have had the really common LCD screen going blank. Someone has sued Sony and Sony is going to repair these cameras or reimburse you if you already had it fixed. Go to this link (http://www.sony.com/ccdservice) My faith is somewhat restored in Sony, but it is pretty bad it took a lawsuit for Sony to pony up the dough and correct their mistake.



4. I have read the other reviews about the lawsuit, unfortunately, the blank screen is not my problem. After very little use I found that the battery supplied with the camera lasts considerably less than one tape. So, I thought, "it's new, it's worth it" I bought 2 large batteries, for about $100/battery. The batteries are no longer the problem, after a little more time(less than 6 total hours recorded)the camera dings and flashes what I would only consider to be an error code. Online support was no help, and said send it in. Unfortunately once again, this is a "Flat Rate" fix, and on this camera it is $211, I don't know if I'm going to pay a flat rate to get it fixed, or play with a hammer and have $211 worth of therapy with it. 2 other family members own this camera, one has never been able to watch their videos and Sony said it is a software problem, but not their problem, and the other family member bought a different product less than 30 days of owning it.



5. Great Sony Video Camera for the price. I can use this camera and convert my video to CD-Videos and DVD using the USB and Firewire connections.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV260 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. I bought this to use solely as a web cam and that's all this review pertains to.
   
   It works perfectly. You can use it with yahoo messenger or anywabcam.com, etc. It's exactly what I wanted.
   
   One thing though - some messenger programs, while they work with the camera, don't allow you to change the contrast and brightness settings from within their program.
   
   If you have any issues setting it up as a webcam you can e-mail me at nick.staff@comcast.net.



2. This camcorder is a great deal for the price. It has excellent night shot capabilities as well as a built in light that works great outdoors. It's lightweight and fits nicely in the palm of your hand. Great buy!



3. The camcorder was purchased as a Christmas present. We took it on a cruise in early January. After only a few days it gave us a moisture message and stopped working. Sony claims we dropped it in water and wants over three times what we paid for the camera to repair it. We did not drop the camera in the water, we do not have films of our vacation. We are just out our recorded memories and $300. We will never recommend a Sony product to anyone.



4. I am happy with this camcorder. It is easy to use and the price was fair. Thank you.



5. When I tried this out there was a buzzing sound that was picked up by the microphone and therefore it would not playback withou a buzzing sound. I sent it off to Sony, as you said it had a 90 day warranty for labor and a one year warranty for parts. I need a copy of your original invoice when you purchased this to send them or the cost to fix it is $269.00.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV460 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. I've read some poor reviews on what's happened over time with other people's Handycams, but I must say that mine still works after 2 years, a few typhoons and several 'dropping' accidents. I'm just now beginning to find some of the neat features of this camcorder, too!
   The reason I purchased this camcorder was because of the colored infrared nightshot, which works great! You can take pictures in pitch darkness. Although I must say recently I've noticed problems with the handycam's playback feature. It keeps switching to Hi8 mode when the video isn't taken with the Hi8 feature (this makes the LCD screen turn blue so you can't see the playback). I'll most likely buy another Sony with the color enhanced nightshot, but I think I'll switch to the DVD or harddrive version.



2. Works well. Has fire wire and is Digital Quality. Would recommend this product.



3. I bought mine in late 2005, but didn't use it when I was overseas because the supplied software was TERRIBLE and I never could get it to work. I ended up using the video capture on my separate Digital camera. So, a year later, I fired it up this week and spent an entire day trying to play a video I recorded yesterday on my PC... being a digital video novice, here are the caveats you need to know after I spent all day on it, plus read all 43 review before this one:
   - I like the features of the camera, the zoom and fold out screen, but the pain is usability and working with the videos or pictures once you take them. If you just want to take taped videos, and watch them on a TV using the provided AV cable, it is ok, but NOT if you want to see or use the video on a PC and edit it. So read on...
   - You really need a second battery, which I ordered automatically, which added to the price. Some of the reviews here say you can use 3rd party batteries, but others say an embedded chip prevents using them. Mine was an expensive Sony battery.
   - There are no tapes in the box, so you have to buy some.
   - READ the simple manual first for each task you do... for instance if you try to plug in the USB cable to a pc first it screws up the drivers, and you have to go to troubleshooting sections to manual delete the drivers, then reload.
   - Sony uses a 4 wire firewire cable called "iWire" (they don't say firewire anywhere).. BUT THEY DON'T PROVIDE THE iWire CABLE. So the user wastes time trying to get provided USB cables to work and after two hours trying to install, reinstall and use the TERRIBLE Sony provided "Picture Package" software, or keep flipping through all the touchscreen menus to turn on "Burn DVD" which uses a CD-R (not DVD) and never find a way to transfer the video to the PC. I finally got the low budget USB Streaming player to work so I could see my video in a small screen on the PC, but there was no option to capture it to a file (stupid). Sony also provides an "AV" cable that has three composite rca jacks to plug into your vcr so you could play the video through that method, but I don't have a VCR anymore - I use a Comcast DVR which has the physical jacks, but they are disabled (a whole separate story about Comcast DVRs).
   - Using firewire - finally, I fired up my previously purchased Pinnacle Studio version nine, which apparently can't recognize the Sony USB connection, as it kept saying it was looking for a connection on ieee 1394 input, which is firewire (Sony refuses to say that common name). I finally figured out I needed firewire for best transfer to the PC (and so do some of the reviews), and ordered the 4 wire to 6wire Sony iWire cable by part number (read the Accessories catalog) because my PC does have the standard 6 wire Firewire jack on the back. Just after I ordered it, I found that Belkin had much lower priced cables of the same type on Amazon, or you can order used ones or generic ones. ALSO, I happen to have a Sony laptop, and it has a Sony design 4-wire firewire jack on it (not the standard 6-wire jack), so I ordered a Belkin 4-wire to 4-wire cable to connect my camcorder to the Sony laptop.
   - Sony doesn't provide any memory stick card at all so you can't use that storage feature until you buy one. Other reviews here say 64-128mb are fine for storing the 1mpx pictures it takes. 1-2 reviews say that you can't store movies on the memory stick, but I would confirm that - I haven't tried it.
   - Conclusion:
   - Get a second battery
   - Don't rely on the USB connection for anything except a streaming video to the Sony viewer, but you can't capture it. Go for firewire, which means you need the cable (see below) and a standard firewire port or Firewire card on your pc.
   - Get a 128mb memory stick to start (which means you also need a memory stick reader on the PC or laptop). The HandyCam pictures are only 1 megapixel, so I will rarely use it, but the memory stick is how you transfer the pictures to a PC (There might be a way with the USB line, but I don't want to waste anymore time on their software)
   - Order the 4 wire to 6 wire iWire or Firewire cable for playback and transfer, and if your computer doesn't have firewire, add a card with it. The Sony part number is VMC-IL4615 - but get the Belkin alternate or another supplier - Sony's price is $39.95 when Belkin's is 1/4 of that. (I ordered it, but haven't gotten it yet).
   - Expect to not be able to do ANY work on the PC editing your video with the USB cable or Sony's poor software. Instead, try using firewire and the free Microsoft Movie Maker that comes with XP. OR, expect to pay $100 or more for Pinnacle Studio, or ULead's Movie product, or Adobe's video maker products. Pinnacle has special high end audio visual cards with firewire you might look at. Or just make sure you have a good AV card with firewire and the right hardware specs to use the video editing software (i.e. ATI Radeon, etc.) . MY HP has the right specs, so I didn't need an additional card.
   - To process video files on the computer, you might need to add more memory - if the editing is slow, determine if more RAM will help.
   - The camera doesn't come with a bag, so you will need one.
   - The battery is charged by plugging the power brick into the camera and charging the battery in the camera. It is slow, and means you can't use the camera while charging, but I always have two batteries charged, so that is what you have to live with, or buy an external charger.
   - Misc - I bought an infrared filter and tripod also for the camera.
   - Cost - So even though you budgeted $400 or so for the camera, the true price with all the above is more like $600-700 to actually be usable.
   
   And now, my budding You Tube production might actually happen, once I get those cables...
   VJ



4. I have had at least four Sony DCR-Trv460 Camcorders and have never had one that had a problem. I have read all of the good things others have said about the TRV460 and I agree as I saw all of the good qualities in the TRV460 camcorders I have had.
   
   I like the fact that the Sony DCR-TRV460 Camcorder has a memory stick you can use to put video's on a computer or DVD that last over an hour plus the camcorder has a Firewire connection that you can also use to put your video from the camcorder to the Computer or to a DVD Recorder.
   
   Possibly the thing I like the best is that I have never took a video Tape from another Camcorder that I wasn't able to play on the TRV460 that uses the same size tape. I have tried this with a lot of other camcorders and I could not do it. For example I tried putting a tape I recorded on A TRV250 and I was unable to play the tape on a TRV350. I took the same tape and put it in a TRV460 and the Tape played fine. So if you have some tapes from a camcorder that no longer works I recommend trying the TRV460 and I am confident it would play the tapes.
   
   On camcorders that you cannot get to play tapes that were recorded on another camcorder Instead of getting a picture you get a noise with breaking up picture that is so bad you cannot tell what is supposed to be on the tape, but if you tape over it with the new camcorder the picture that you record with the new camcorder looks fine.
   
   I used to use quite a few batteries and spent a lot of time charging Camcorder batteries until I realized I could operate the camcorder using an AC Power Adapter/Charger such as an Ac Adapter FOR SONY AC-L10A AC-L10C, AC-L10B Digital Camera and Camcorder Charger. When you do use the charger or AC Adapter to operate the camcorder rather than using a battery to operate the Camcorder you need to remember to take the battery out of the camcorder because if you operate the camcorder while charging the battery you will possibly get an error light and damage the camcorder. This can keep you from having to charge a lot of batteries because when I use the camcorder to put video's onto my external SONY VRC-VC20 Video Recordable DVD Drive or my Sony VRDMC5 DVDirect DVD Recorder I spend quite a lot of time doing this and it saves me a lot of work being able to use the AC Adapter/Charger to power the Camcorder during this time rather than using the Camcorder battery.
   
   The DCR-TRV460 is in my opinion a great camcorder that is excellent in all ways and I recommend it highly.



5. I have used the Handycam a little bit. I need a firewire to upload the video to my computer. Once this is done, I think I will really like the camera.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV320 Digital Camcorder.

1. This little number is a great step up from DCR-TRV310. I'm Not sure why, but the number is higher, and in my experience that means that it is way better and should cost alot more. I greatly recommend it with the 2.5in screen. Anything larger sucks the life out of a battery like, the KC Chiefs suck the fun out of Monday Night Football. You'll find the zoom is very suitable for most situations. The Info-Lithium batteries are a serious point in favor of the Sony brand family over its competitors. Knowing how much time you have left to shoot is priceless in those once-in-a-lifetime situations. In California, and sweeping quickly east, is the Phenomenon I dubbed "Green Porn". With Sony's 0-lux technology, you call literally see/film in pitch black. The ablitity to create a sensuous mood with the green glow that 0-Lux provides is amazing. It's like wathing The Nature Channel. Overall, if you don't have the money for the big time digitals and don't want junk. Then this is the Cam for you. Happy Honeymoon!



2. My first handycam was an F series bought 8 years ago. After 5 years it was broken beyond repair. I was itching to get one and finally did about a week ago.

   I was surprise how far the handycam has evolved. I was the production engineer back then in Sony Handycam production line. Even spent 3 month in Sony Minokamo(where current handycam is produced... check your handycam label) in Japan for training. This is a good product for beginner, intermediate and even an expert. It has all the function you need. I think you have read all the pros regarding the handycam.

   The low points for me are:

   1. The supplied batteries lasts less than an hour. You'd better get another one. But it is very expensive. In fact all Sony products and accessories are expensive.

   2. They eat up lots of tape.

   3. For F450 model (8 years ago) the battery charger is external and you can charge the battery and still using your camera. But for this handycam the charger is external and when you are recharging the battery you will not be able to use the camera.

   Other than that, everything is great. I bought a DV link card using the i-link IE3944, but the card was unusable and I return it to the supplier. Still waiting for a replacement. I would like to create a movie using this card.




3. For the price, this is the best buy for the money....it takes excellent video footage...the only drawback is the battery life is short..need to purchase at least the 8 hour capacity (very expensive)...



4. I found this camcorder perfect for a 12 yr old, but I do belive the memory stick and still photos are a bit much. It has some way cool picture effects (negative, mosiac) and some great features (nightshot, 450x zoom)

   It has an increddibly compact size for a camera of its capabilities. I now use it to video parties, and school productions which i make alot of money out of.

   However, I do think, that like the analog range, it needs a built in light, so you dont need to pay extra for it to attach to the IAS. (Intellegent Accsoeries Shoe).

   Happy Buying!




5. The camera was a piece of junk. It stopped working right after I got it. It wouldn't even record because it tore up the tape immediatly with an annoying dinging sound. It ruined tape, cost me money, but did nothing. I would not buy from this outfit.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV350 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Memory Stick capabilities & Remote.

1. I would like to start of by stating its great film quality. Also with its perfect resolution and zooming, it makes this a bullzie for sony. On top of its great control, it has simple and easy to use and fun features. I was very suprisied when my parents bought this also and learned how to use this withen two days [a new world record ;)]THese features include fade, freeze frame (great for an intro) and many others. While the playback on the camera is OK, the sound isnt very good, but then again, you werent ment to watch the movie on the camera, watching it on the TV is what your supposed to do. Which brings me to uploading, The loading it onto the computer takes a longggggggggg time using a USB cable, but using the FireWire(which i am disappointed to say does not come with the package but is supplied at a low price on Ebay) takes a matter of a few minutes. Watching it on the TV is what it all comes down to, because, thats just what you want. To watch your Steven Speilberg movie on the big screen ;). Anyways...My friends and i have a blast fooling around with the features while making suprisingly excellent movies.
   Overall: 4.5 STARS Great product



2. Considering this camera is my first, I think it is a decent camera. I am a high school student who loves to make short films. Even though there are better cameras, I think this camera is very good considering it's price. You need, however, to have a decent amount of light in a room you want to film. Another flaw is the camera does not come with a firewire cable (iLINK). I had to go purchase my own which was about 30 dollars. The editing program that came with this camera is terrible. If you are going to purchase this camera, you should get another editing program as well.
   
   I've had my camera for a little over a year now, and it is still in good shape.
   
   I recommend this camera to any who are looking for a camera at a low price.



3. I was looking for a camcorder to transfer my old 8mm tapes to computer and then probably to some other format. The model I purchased from the seller was just what I was looking for. It was priced a little higher than similar models from other sources but I was willing to pay the difference for one in great condition. When it arrived, I found that Garron (the seller) was true to his word. Although I've not explored all the features of this unit yet, it has performed admirably in the short time that I've owned it. Thanks again Garron.



4. I like the Sony DCR-TRV350 Camcorder Very much. I agree with all of the positive reviews I have read about this Camcorder. One thing that I like about this camcorder is that I can put video clips on my computer files by either inputting to my computer with the AV cable any files I put on my memory stick. I also can input video files to the computer using my Firewire cable. Some Camcorders do not have the firewire connecter and some do not have a memory stick that allows you to do a video file over one minute in length. The Sony DCR-TRV350 can do both and does a very fine job doing it. This is an excellent Camcorder and I highly recommend it.



5. I love this camera, we have had it for years, replacing an older JVC model. It is very user friendly, other family members have it too. We have hours of video of our children. I was not able to transfer any video to my new computer with VISTA on it. We finally discovered that if you get a 4 pin/6 pin firewire it will work. I successfully downloaded 4 hrs last night. I was thrilled. We did get an adapter for my Express Card slot because I do not have a firewire port on my labtop.