Sony DCRTRV320 Digital Camcorder

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [3.61mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004U2JZ
• Item model number: DCR-TRV320
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,245 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony DCR-TRV320 records video in the Digital 8 format, and is capable of recording in the 16:9 widescreen format common to movies. A 25x optical zoom and 18x digital zoom will bring you closer to the action, while Sony's SteadyShot digital image stabilization technology helps prevent shaky recordings. The DCR-TRV320 offers a 16-bit PCM digital stereo with 12-bit dubbing. The camcorder is equipped with Sony's LaserLink feature, meaning you can aim the DCR-TRV320 at the LaserLink receiver on select Sony TVs from up to 16 feet away, press "play," and enjoy your videos directly on your TV--without wires or cassette adapters.

Video editing is made simpler with the inclusion of IEEE 1394, a digital, bidirectional, high-speed communications port that makes it easy to download video and audio to a computer or other IEEE 1394-based editing device.

The DCR-TRV320 also doubles as a digital still camera, recording photos onto a Memory Stick card.

With Sony's NightShot infrared system, the DCR-TRV320 can shoot in zero-lux (no light) conditions. Fourteen picture effects and a five-mode AV fader aid in the creation of compelling footage, whatever your subject. The DCR-TRV320 also has a swivel-mounted 2.5-inch LCD monitor. Other features include: end search, which automatically forwards your tape to the end of the last footage shot; edit search; a seven-mode program auto exposure for a variety of shooting environments; analog AV inputs with pass through; and an intelligent shoe for accessories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Camera, October 12, 2000

By 

David Feustel (Fort Wayne, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV320 Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

I bought this camera after trying out the 450x zoom in the store. Other factors triggering the purchase were Nightshot and Picture Memory. This camera's ergonomics are outstanding. The camera turns itself off after a minute or so in camera mode. This does not happen in (picture) memory mode. Memory (still) Pictures upload via a serial link only (no USB). Picture quality is very good. I successfully uploaded recorded video from the camera to my Windows 2000 computer via a Western Digital PCI IEEE 1394 card using the Ulead software supplied on CDROM with the 1394 card. My first (very short).avi file made with the Ulead software was > 100 Mbytes.

. I have ordered, but not yet received, the Sony 2x teleconverter lense so that I can get less pixellation at maximum useable magnifcation.

I also bought an 8-hour battery. I recommend 2 8-hour batteries and a rapid charger (which works off both AC and 12VDC instead of the 12-hour battery. With two batteries and a quick charger you should never run out of juice.

Nightshot works well up to about 15 feet but uses substantially more power than without, so battery life is decreased. An image intensifier attachment would be a *really* handy accessory for long range nighttime videotaping. I plan to try using the 320 with both an astronomical telescope and a microscope in the near future.

92 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Handheld Video Studio, July 31, 2000

By 

Nicholas A. Keehn (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV320 Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

Even tough I don't own this model, I own one very similar... The DCR-TRV103. This is the newer version of the model up (TRV310)and it has only gotten better. I purchased the camera for making a claymation movie and an action short for a class project. I spent over 200 hours working with all the footage and the firewire port is invaluable! Not only is the sound and video quality unparelleled, the speed at which it is transfered keeps you from getting bogged down waiting for the video to load. The night vision, remote control and special effects provided in the package are superb quality and easy to use. As for durablity, my camera was hit by gravel from car tires and a hail of exploding fireworks and has escape them without even a ding. The only problems I really faced with the camera where the short battery lifes on the stock battery. However, a replacement 8 hour is around $100 and is a good replacement for the 1.5 hour if you plan to film a wedding or long birthday party. Another more-minor problem was the echo-effect on the sound at a distance, however, this plagues every other camera on the market and can be easily fixed with an external microphone from radio shack. Also, the digital recording process takes double the normal recording on 8mm tapes, so if you don't transfer the video off the camera and re-record over, find a place that sells the tapes cheap. Other than that, however, the camera has worked perfectly and has produced some very high-quality video for a non-commerical video camera.

73 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most versatile camcorder available, August 28, 2000

By 

Bruce S. Gruenbaum (Arcadia, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV320 Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

I just bought the DCRTRV720 - the 320's bigger brother. It has a bigger LCD screen, a color viewfinder and a remote. The bigger LCD screen and the remote were the motivating factors over the 320.

This is definitely the most terrific camera I have ever worked with. The picture quality is outstanding, and there is absolutely no shortage of features. Combined with the my Apple PowerMac G4 Cube and it's editing software iMovie, this camera absolutely rocks.

I bought this specifically for digital work, but liked the versatility of being able to take existing standard 8 and Hi 8 tapes and play them back into my Mac so that they can be used for editing. There is no range of cameras on the market other than the Sony DCRTRV range that will allow you to do this. MiniDV is also way more expensive.

Also cool are the digital stills that you can take with this camera. I bought a digital camera just before I bought the camcorder and I am now really sorry that I did. The camcorder does a much better job of the digital stills than the digital camera does.

I would recommend this camcorder range, and especially the 720 over anything else in the market.