Sony DCRTRV22 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & Memory Stick Capability

by Sony

Product Details

Data Sheet [161kb PDF]

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Product Manual [5.09mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000087BWL
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,051 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 6, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description With a size that is 28 percent smaller and lighter than Sony's previous camcorders, the DCR-TRV22 does not compromise powerful optics and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 1/4-inch CCD for clean imaging, a 2.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, a color viewfinder, and an 8 MB Memory Stick for still image capture.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiates it from other models in the Sony lineup.

MPEG Movie Mode: Originally found on step-up Sony Digital Still Cameras, Sony presents another camcorder first--MPEG Movie Mode for select Handycam Camcorders. Capture MPEG digital video and store it directly to your Memory Stick Media. Movie length ranges from 5 seconds to the length allowed by the capacity of your memory stick with MPEG Movie EX. Take the "Best Of" scene recorded on video tape, for example--the groom kissing the bride on the wedding day, convert it to an MPEG Movie and share it with family and friends via the Internet.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The 1/4-inch CCD sensor yields a gross 680,000 pixels and records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV22 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV22 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

The TRV22 features a 2.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. You can take digital stills and record small MPEG1 movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV22 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV22 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

139 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good camera, October 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV22 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & Memory Stick Capability (Electronics)

I did not buy my TRV22 from Amazon but from Circuit City due to their great return policy I had originally bought a Canon Zr70mc and within 2 hours I took it back because it needed a tremendous amount of light for indoor filming and even then it was very grainy. So I upgraded to the Sony TRV22 and what a difference, now filming indoors is not a problem the Sony does not need much light usually a table lamp is now plenty and there is very very little if any graininess to the picture. The picture quality for outdoors is fantastic.. Yes in bright light the LCD screen can be hard to see but most LCD's are hard to see in bright light. I don't feel the wind noise is an issue but that's me. As for uploading and downloading the video to computer is a snap... plug the camera into the firewire or USB port and Windows XP will see that it's a Sony camera and configure itself automatically and it's ready to go. I have not tried the still capabilities because I have digital camera. The Nightvision works, its neat to play with but I probably won't use it much. The menus are easy to navigate and the touch screen is a intresting idea but it works pretty good. The camera must have a noise cancellation feature because it does not pickup its own motor noise which is very quiet to begin with. The supplied battery is good for about 80 minutes with the LCD on. I made a short test video and used Nero 6 to burn it to DVD format and everything went smoothly and the quality was just as good as the tape. Overall I am very happy with the Sony TRV22...I hope this review will help somebody who is researching on buying a new camera....

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the coolest camcorder..., October 7, 2003

By 

Brooks Williams "So. Awesome." (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV22 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & Memory Stick Capability (Electronics)

I just picked up this thing over the weekend. My fiance and I decided to buy it to record our wedding and reception. We might buy the additional light (it's not too expensive) because we're not sure how bright things will be at the reception. And probably a larger battery too. The one [battery] that comes with the DCR-TRV22 can do about 70 min. That's not too shabby, but for what we're using it for... we need more.

Here are some pros and cons as I see it now:

PROS:

Tiny! This thing literally fits in the palm of your hand.

Touch-screen menu on the LCD screen. Very cool and easy to use.

Digital image. Transfer from the camera to your computer without any loss of quality!

The button to start/stop recording is easily and quickly accessible. So there's no fumbling around.

The Steadyshot works really well. No loss of quality as far as I could tell.

Nightshot works very well. I tested it out in almost pitch black conditions and still got a decent shot. It all has a green tint, but at least you can see!

Adjustable viewfinder, which is key when you're outside and the sun is keeping you from seeing the LCD screen.

Performs very well in low light situations. The optional back light feature can add some brightness if needed.

USB, Firewire, and RCA output... something for every occasion.

CONS:

Low picture resolution when using it as a simple digital camera. I don't plan to use it for that purpose, so I really don't care about this.

10x optical zoom. Other makes and models totally blow this camera out of the water in this department.

Conclusion:

I think it was worth the price. The higher-priced model (the DCR-TRV33, I think) was almost exactly similar except that it could take slightly higher resolution photos. So upgrading wasn't worth the price in our opinion.

I'm *very* happy with this camcorder. It's tiny and easy to use. The tapes are affordable and you can't argue with digital quality. I'd recommend this camcorder to my friends and I recommend it to you!

73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good Camcorder., April 25, 2003

By 

Nita Prasanth (IL,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV22 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & Memory Stick Capability (Electronics)

I recently bought a Sony TRV22 from Best Buy. I liked it very much. after using it for a day I decided to exchange it for TRV33 a 1Megapixel camera as the still picture quality is poor in TRV22. I brought TRV33 home and tested it. It was a real disappointment!. TRV22 performed much better compared to TRV33 under low light conditions. Still picture also is very much the same. I learned later that it is because of the difference in LUX rating of the two cameras. TRV 33 needs 7Lux to capture pictures, while TRV22 needs only 5 Lux. TRV 22 gives much better picture under flurescent and other indoor lights. I did not waste any time getting my TRV22 back!. It's a very good camera, I recommend it without any hesitation.