Sony DCRTRV250 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, USB Streaming and Remote

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [8.04mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000087BV9
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,498 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

The value-priced Sony DCR-TRV250 camcorder delivers all the benefits of Digital8 recording quality in a smaller chassis. In addition to its crisp, clear digital video and stereo audio, the 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.

Image Stabilization
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.

Optics

• 1/6-inch CCD with 460,000 gross pixels
• 20X optical zoom
• 700x digital zoom
• f1.6-f2.4
• Focal distance: 2.5-50mm
• Shutter speed: 1/60 to 1/4,000 (AE mode)

More Features
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. With the optional HVL-IRC NightShot light, you can even capture images from up to 100 feet away.

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 TRV250 features a 2.5-inch color LCD (123,000 pixels) and a black-and-white viewfinder. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV250 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, with the ability to stream 320 x 240 pixel video at 30 frames per second (compatible only with Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, and XP).

Digital8 Format
Digital8 camcorders deliver high-quality digital video and audio, with up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution and either 12-bit or 16-bit PCM digital stereo audio. The Digital8 format also allows for digital recording on 8mm or Hi8 tapes--the most popular camcorder format in the U.S.

Size and Contents
The TRV250 measures 3.63 by 4.00 by 7.88 inches and weighs 1 pound 12 ounces. This package includes the TRV250 camcorder, power adaptor/in-camera charger (AC-L15), InfoLithium rechargeable battery (NP-FM30), wireless remote (RMT-814), AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and CD-ROM with PIXELA ImageMixer Ver. 1.5 and USB drivers.

From the Manufacturer

The DCR-TRV250 delivers all the benefits of Digital8 recording quality in a smaller chassis. And with the USB streaming feature, you can turn your camcorder into a video conferencing tool or webcam. Stream live and recorded moving video to a PC via USB! Make your own digital-quality movies. Stream and share content. This remarkably value-priced unit delivers amazingly crisp and clear Digital8 video, which allows you to transfer video to your personal computer via its iLINK DV input/output (iLINK DV interface cable sold separately).

Features include:

• 20X Optical/700X Digital Zoom: The optical zoom helps to bring the action up close from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
• 2.5" SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels): Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 123K pixel LCD rotates up to 270-degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp detailed images for monitoring or playback.
• SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System: Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to compensate for camera "shake" without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.
• NightShot Infrared System: With Sony’s NightShot infrared system you can capture video even when shooting in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away using the built-in infrared system.
• Photo Mode: Using Sony’s unique Adaptive Frame Interpolation for better image quality, you can store hundreds of individual still images with 7 seconds of audio on the videotape.
• Digital8 System: Digital8 camcorders deliver high-quality digital video and audio. The new Digital8 system achieves stunning picture quality, with up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution, and records high-quality 12-bit or 16-bit PCM digital stereo audio. Digital8 camcorder's recording pattern allows digital recording on 8mm or Hi8 tapes -- the most popular camcorder format in the U.S. Digital8 camcorders are the evolution of the 8mm format. It is the only digital camcorder format that lets you fast forward to digital quality without leaving your analog past behind.
• 1/6" CCD 460K Pixels Gross: 1/6" CCD with 290K (effective) pixels provides great detail and clarity, with exceptional digital video performance (up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution).
• USB Streaming: Stay connected with family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio, via the Internet with the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene stored on tape. It’s like having your own web camera or video conferencing system.
• Manual Focus: Allows the user to adjust the camera's focus, allowing more creativity and/or effects. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the camera's focus in difficult situations.
• i.LINK DV Interface (IEEE1394): A high-speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards and PCs.
• Built-In Light (3 Watt): Brightens your videos when shooting in low light situations.
• Battery Information: Battery information is momentarily displayed without having to power on the camcorder. Quickly access the battery's status by pressing the Battery Info button. The Recording Time Available is displayed in minutes, on either the LCD screen or viewfinder.
• InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System: Charge the battery at any time because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries Sony’s rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "memory effect". Sony’s exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
• Stamina Battery Power Management System: Using the optional NP-QM91D InfoLithium battery the DCR-TRV250 can record up to 11 Hours on one complete charge, providing extra long battery life.
• 12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo: 16-bit recording offers the same, outstanding sound quality as Compact Disc. 12-bit recording enables you to add an additional audio track with compatible audio dubbing equipment or i.LINK interface compatible computers.
• Digital Program Editing: Allows you to select a sequence of 20 scenes and controls dubbing via i.LINK to another i.LINK camcorder, or via infra-red remote to an analog VCR. Controls both Sony and other brand's camcorders and VCRs.
• Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes: Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach and Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset & Moon modes.
• Picture Effects: Get creative when recording or playing back videos with Sony’s Picture Effect modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Black & White, Solarize, Slim, Stretch, Pastel and Mosaic. Effects available in Playback mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Black and White and Solarize.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

133 of 134 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera!!, May 12, 2003

By 

Jamie Smolinski "Boycott Amazon! They sell do... (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV250 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, USB Streaming and Remote (Electronics)

Other than a few really dumb design flaws, this camera is perfect. I didn't want to spend a fortune on an all-digital camcorder, and I wanted better quality than a regular 8mm. This digital-8 format is perfect! The price of the camera can't be beat, especially considering the high quality. The video is crystal clear and the still photo feature is really wonderful. The camera is easy to use and very lightweight. The still photos I took came out really well, even when people were moving around. The night vision feature is amazing and I've been having alot of fun with it.

The only things I don't like about this camera are:
1. The battery only lasts for about an hour, and getting a 2nd battery with a charger & accessories costs almost as much as the camera itself.
2. The Hi-8 tapes only last one hour so you constantly have to change them. They also take FOREVER to rewind.
3. When you have a tripod screwed into the bottom of the camera, you cannot change the tape without removing the camera from the tripod! If they had moved that over about 1/2 inch it would be fine.
4. The included software is horrible and doesn't work very well at all. It was written in Japanese and most of the English translation makes no sense. I would not recommend even installing it. Instead, get something like Vegas Video or even Ulead Video Studio (which came with the Firewire card I purchased) to get the videos into your computer.

These are just simple little inconveniences that anybody can live with to get such a high quality camera at a great price!

I would recommend installing a Firewire card into the computer if you plan on using that for video editing. If you aren't going to connect the camera to a computer, the included video cable makes it really easy to hook up to a VCR. The remote control is great for controlling the camera when watching your videos. As stupid as it sounds, I never realized how much easier it is with the remote.

All in all, this is a great camera at a great price and I would highly recommend it to anyone. No, it's not professional grade, but it's perfect for the average Joe that wants to capture everyday stuff.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Bang for your Bucks, December 4, 2003

By 

M. Ha "absolute584" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV250 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, USB Streaming and Remote (Electronics)

This camera is great. It does the job and fits into my budget. I was debating between this and the Canon ZR65 but found that this Sony has better quality. I checked at Best Buy to see the image quality and it helped a lot. The only benefit I saw in getting the canon was to take still pictures and it has a slot for memory card. But the still pictures are poor quality and meant for a digi-cam which I recently purchased too. =) This Sony trv250 camcorder gave me everything I wanted: best picture quality for lowest price, digital and capability to transfer to pc. When you watch the videos, the picture looks perfect. But once you record it onto vhs, you lose picture quality but that's due to the VHS technology. One of the main reasons I got this is to transfer the videos to my pc. The software it came with sucks. It saves it as .mpg which is great, but I couldn't even save a 20 mins video. It crashed several times. So I ended up using windows movie maker and it made my video fine but as an .avi format. I need to find a program that converts the .avi to .mpg so I can burn into vcd. One big flaw though is when you transfer the video using usb (it's 1.0, not 2.0), it becomes choppy, unbelievably choppy. I was scared I couldn't transfer videos anymore as it can get very annoying watching my home videos choppy. So I went out and got a firewire card and tried again and it worked smoothly. I was getting nervous about my purchase but it worked out. The night version is awesome. In a pitch dark room, I can see everything, in green. Its infrared vision makes me feel like a G.I. Joe. I took this camcorder out to the dessert and videotaped my trip and it came out well. My friends thought the quality was pretty good too. The accessories that I bought were a stand, NPFM70 battery that lasts 4+ hrs, camera protective lens for the dusty times (avoid scratches on the actual lens), digital8 tapes (it should've at least came with one, cheap-a*s Sony), and a camcorder backpack to keep everything. All in all, for the price of the camera, I think it was a great purchase.

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this thing rocks, February 14, 2003

By 

Aaron D. Belmer "video game fan-atic" (st. louis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV250 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, USB Streaming and Remote (Electronics)

better than the 240, and cheaper. Yeah the 240 has 25X zoom , and this one has 20, but you'll never be able to tell the difference. And you'll thank me later for getting something with such superior quality that allows you to record onto 8mm tapes. For this price, this is a must have. If you're an aspiring screenwriter/movie buff like myself, you can record your own low/no budget movies, transfer them easily to your computer (using provided or other software), edit them "professionally" (your limit is your own creativity), and even lay mp3 tracks as background music. I mean c'mon. This price for a DIGITAL camcorder. How can you afford NOT to have one.