Customer Reviews

Sony DCRTRV320 Digital Camcorder

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I got my video camera on June 10th and have been using it almost everyday since. I've used it on everything from taping around the house to taping weddings. It's very easy to use, even with all of the features. The best of which has to be the 'info' battery which tells you exactly how much time you have remaining on the battery. It also takes digital pictures in addition to video. The only drawback is the the battery has to be charged while on the camera. The first thing I bought extra was an external charger so that I can charge one battery while still using the camera.

I'm quite pleased with the audio and video quality of this camcorder, as well as the plethora of features and effects (though most I'll probably never use). I like the steadyshot, nightshot, and being able to shoot in widescreen format -- those are my favorite features. What I'm terribly disappointed in with this camera is the quality of the still images; I get better quality from a disposable. In short, stills look absolutely terrible. I have fooled with taking stills under a variety of conditions, and they only look "decent" under the most optimal lighting circumstances. I can't complain too much since this is a secondary feature of the camcorder, and the video and audio really are remarkable, but I wish I had known that I'd also have to buy a digital still camera when shopping for this one.

About three years ago i bought a sony camcorder for about $800. I just bought the sony dcr trv320 for about the same price. And what it has compared to my other camera is unbelievable. Anywhere from nightvision to a digital camera. But what you have to watch out for is knowing that when you purchase a sony product be prepared to spend alot of extra money if you purchase any acessories

I've used VHS-C video camcorders in the past. But this camera just blows them away.

I know virtually nothing about taking video shots, but after a week with this camera, my footage rivals any TV show in quality!

You can't believe the quality of image this camcorder puts out.

Easy to use, and packed with features. I use this thing every day. Sound and image quality is unbelievable.

You can buy a longer battery life if you want too, which is incredible, 8 hours or so. (It's heavier, though, so I just bought an extra standard battery).

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.

If your thinking about buying a camcorder this is the one. It has many cool features night vision, negative, & many more. I bought this for my trip to Cozumel mexico and it worked like a champ. I also purchased the software for downloading it on your computer. I have made several mini movies with it. You would be surprised at what you can do with the editing software. I have used many camcorders in the past and this one completely rocks.

just took delivery of the 120 after the hi 8 trv75 was stolen. have not had a lot of time with it yet, but a few thoughts--

1)rca cable output is proprietary. has normal 3 outputs to connect to standard rca jacks, but the jack at the camera is a sony "mini" jack that has all three outputs. nice, but i know if i lost my old ones, i had other rca jacks around the house to use in a pinch, or even if taking cam to mom and dad's, they had rca's sitting around from the back of their record player if i forgot this one. now, if i forget this cable, we all gather around the 2.5 inch screen and squint.

2) didn't think i would notice, but the .5 inch difference between 2.5 and 3 inch screen is significant. couldn't justify going all the way to the 3.5 inch screen, but size does matter.

3) lens cover is old plastic cap that clinks and clanks around the camera because it is attatched with a string. the trv 75 had built in lens cover in camera.

4) camera comes with lame 90 minute battery. replacements and upgrades are way too expensive, but you've got to get at least an 8 hour battery.

5) seems bigger than the 75.

6) 25x zoom is great

7) 120 does not include memory stick for stills, but does have a photo mode where you take a picture and 5 seconds are recorded on your tape. nice feature if using computer input.

overall, nice camera, but not perfect. would give a four star rating if not so expensive