Sony DCRTRV17 MiniDV Camcorder

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [6.45mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005M0TZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,678 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony DCR-TRV17 is a quality consumer-grade compact MiniDV digital camcorder. Packed with a 10x optical zoom and 120x digital zoom, the camcorder also features digital image stabilization. You can shoot and watch your video using either the color EVF or huge 3.5-inch LCD viewfinder.

Like most digital camcorders, the DCR-TRV17 is equipped with an IEEE 1394 connection (also known as i.Link and FireWire) for digital image transfer, allowing video editing on a properly equipped home computer. In addition, all analog ports on the TRV17 have analog to digital converters built in. With this feature, anyone upgrading from older analog equipment can transfer their old memories to new digital tapes.

If you own a TV equipped with Sony's Super LaserLink feature (or purchase an optional Super LaserLink attachment for your TV), playback is especially easy. You can just aim the DCR-TRV17 at the TV from up to 26 feet away, press "play," and enjoy your videos without having to connect any wires.

The DCR-TRV17 also doubles as a digital still camera, recording photos onto an included 4 MB Memory Stick at a resolution of up to 640 x 480 pixels. Digital program editing allows for easy dubbing of 20 selected scenes from one digital camcorder to another, or to an analog VCR. Three different white-balance settings help optimize color. The DCR-TRV17 includes a microphone input, as well as an intelligent shoe for select Sony accessories. Also included are an AC power adapter, lithium-ion battery, remote, stereo AV cable, and lens cap.

Product Description

Sony DCRTRV17 MiniDV Camcorder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camcorder, December 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV17 MiniDV Camcorder (Electronics)

Got this camcorder (my first camcorder ever) about three weeks ago. Overall great and I've been nothing but impressed. If you are looking to shoot some video of the kids and play it back to family and friends on the home TV then get a less expensive camcorder. I think that if you are going to digital it's because you plan to download and manipulate the video on your home computer to get a semi-profession video. This camera lets you download the 30-minutes (of usually boring) video of the kids playing Little League onto your home computer and turn it into a really cool 5-minute baseball video with a soundtrack, still shoots (saved on the built in still camera) and titles that you can record back onto the camcorder. Lightweight and compact, it's easy to carry and the large (3.5 inch) LCD screen is a lot easier to view then the typical tiny 2.5 inch screen. The built in USB port and cable (included) is for the saved JPG still shots on the memory stick. To download the video to your computer you need a firewire card and a firewire cable (not included) plus the video software for your computer. The Sony included software is for the JPG still shots only. The camera also does not come with any MinDV tapes so order some when you order the camera. If you plan on shooting a lot of video without a battery recharge you might want to think of getting another battery. The LCD screen sucks up battery power like crazy so plan on 30 minutes of shooting before you are looking for a recharge. All in all a great camera that is easy to use and has enough options and bells-and-whistles to keep anyone occupied.

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in its class, November 17, 2001

By 

"djstiggy182" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV17 MiniDV Camcorder (Electronics)

After about 2 months of searching for the perfect all around camcorder, I limited down my choiced to three competitors; The Canon Elura 2 MC, the Sony dcr-trv 730, and the Sony dcr-trv 17. Canon has always had a great reputation for delivering top of the line technology and optics in their camcorders, but I was never fond of the lengthy and slim shape of the Elura 2 models. The sony dcr-trv 730 looked like an ideal choice until I actually had the opportunity to use one, I found the shape to be too big for my hand and the picture quality wasn't enough for the ammount of money you had to pay. Some other turn downs on this model were its black and white view finder and its lack of a Carl Zeiss lense (megapixel technology), let me tell you that these let downs alone turned me away from this model. The sony dcr-trv 17 however included the Carl Zeiss lense, as well as a color view finder and 3.5 inch lcd screen. The shape fits perfectly into my hands and is worth the extra two hundred dollars from the price of the 730 model. Some add-ons I would suggest are a uv filter to protect the lense, some mini dv tapes (model does not come with tapes), a carrying case and an extra battery. Please keep in mind that this camera is a proffesional-consumer level camera, and I would suggest a sony dcr-trv 330 for beginners.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great video quality even in the dark!!, August 12, 2001

By 

jun (ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV17 MiniDV Camcorder (Electronics)

I bought a sony trv-730,didnt like it,its too heavy,grainy picture/video quality,returned it and got this trv-17 ,this has really good video quality as well as still shots and the size is really compact and very light,I love it ,wouldnt trade it for any digital 8's,but if you want to get something better and spend few hundred dollars, get the sony trv-30,this thing is amazing ,check it out and you'll say its the best!!!