Customer Reviews

Sony DCRTRV350 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Memory Stick capabilities & Remote

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The best features of this camcorder, and that things that make it worth [the extra money] over the TRV250, are its backwards compatibility and its analog to digital converter. Now that my trusty Sony Hi8 camcorder has died after 12 years of service, I not only will still have access to all the tapes, but the bulit in A/D converter will let me burn them to disc with no other hardware except a firewire port and a big hard disk. In addition, it has analog A/V inputs which will allow VHS, TV or other signals to pass through and be digitized. Bulk and the 1:20 recording time of the supplied battery are issues, as is the fact that batteries must be charged on the unit, unless you plan on buying ... stand alone chargers. The info-lithium battery system is quite nice, however, telling exactly how much time is remaining. The memory stick is OK for email or web sites, not for serious photography.

Bottom line: if you have an extensive library of Hi-8 tapes that you want to play or burn, then this is the ideal unit. If you are starting fresh in digital videography, then the mini-DV units offer significant advantages in size and features.

I was looking for a Camcorder which is compatable to a Mac OS environment. I have been very pleased with my Sony Cybershot and was happy to find that the DCRTRV350 is mac usb & firewire compatable. Out of the box this camcorder is easy to use, and the menu and selection of various features is simple to find and access. Picture quality is great. FOR THOSE UNHAPPY WITH THE AUDIO OUTPUT one simply has to select from the factory setting of 14bit to 16 bit stero, and the output is great. You can always tell the reviewers which don't open the manual past the quick start options.....I especially like the fade-in options, intervial recording (time lapse), remote playback, and the "end search" functions. Once again I have found that Sony combines good hardware AND superior software/options functions which make other brands PALE in comparison. In general I am VERY IMPRESSED with this Sony product.

We are using this camera to take home movies, view/transfer our library of Hi8 movies, and capture digital stills for transer to our computer. This camera has exceeded our expectations in all these areas.

While my husband was anxious to get a digital video camera, I was reluctant to spend the money, even though our analog videocam is three years old -- a dinosaur by today's standards -- heavy and clunky with few features. But now I'm the one who is always grabbing the camera to film and to take pictures. I love it. Using a memory stick that can be purchased in several capacities, you can take still pictures even as you're filming; the memory stick we got holds approximately 400 pictures. You can find your shot using the viewfinder (in b&w) or the LCD screen (in color). We had no trouble at all, using the included cable and software, transferring images and movies to our Macintosh computer; it will work for an Intel machine too. A recharge takes us about 80 minutes and is then good for 90 minutes of recording time using the LCD screen or 110 minutes using the viewfinder.

Problematic are the LCD screen which, even when adjusted, is difficult to view in high light conditions, and the steep learning curve on the many functions and buttons. On the other hand, there are so many buttons and functions because this camera DOES so many things. There are lots of special effects too. The buttons are very small but that also helps keep the size of the camera down. Some frequently used functions, like backlight and fade, need only a single button to activate.

Bottom line: It will take you a while to learn everythng that this Sony can do -- the manual is nearly 270 pages!! -- but your effort will be greatly rewarded. Also, this camera is terrific if you have tapes in the older Hi8 format. Great camera.

I just sent back my Canon ZR50 for poor indoor video quality and high motor noise(which can be reduced by applying filters in CoolEdit, which is too time consuming). I replaced it with the Sony DCR-TRV350 and so far it has been performing fairly well. Overall it has comparative specs including almost the same optical zoom level, and the A/D conversion feature (really nice if you want to capture video to a PC from an old camcorder or VCR). On the plus side, it has good indoor video quality including low light situations and very low motor noise compared to the Canon ZR50. On the downside, it is a little more bulky (uses 8mm tapes instead of mini-DV), and has a black and white eyepiece viewfinder. Overall I would recommend this camcorder over the Canon ZR50.

Well, this is the model one level higher than 250, and more expensive. Is it worth? My answer is, definitely YES. I don't want to repeat what the manufacturer review and others said. Here is the usage summary from my experience (I used both camcoders and returned 250).
Pros compared to 250:

1) Analog to digital conversion feature. You can record directly from your VCR and convert the analog signal into digital one. Either with USB or Firewire, you can make your own VCD or DVD. With XP, windows movie maker can be the capture software and it does a better job than the ImageMixer came with the camcoder.

2) Super Night Vision. 16 times brighter than Night shot (250 has). You can record Save Private Lynch in complete darkness with this camcoder (either in color or green).

3) Downward compatability. This camera can play hi8, 8mm tapes while 250 can not play hi8 tapes.

Cons:
1) You need to buy a Firewire cable (6 pin to 4 pin if you connect to your PC), maybe a PCMCIA or PC adaptor for Firewire as well. It's OK even you don't have them but the USB is 1.0 version so it won't be as fast as firewire (depending on how big you want the video to be).
2) Memory stick. Considering the cost of purchasing a separate memory stick this camera can be more expensive than a Canon or JVC mini-DV one.
3) Extra battery. Same thing. Japs are smart. SO you need to spend more on accessories.

For all the 3 cons, you can get around without purchasing anything. E.g., use USB intead of Firewire; do not take still images (therefore not using memory stick) or use Start/Stop to record picture and use software to capture later on; use direct power instead of battery if possible. Accessories are 50%cheaper on ebay.

All in all, from big 20x optical zoom to super night shot, A/D conversion to downward compatibility with hi8, 8mm, USB steaming as a web camera, you name it. The features of this camcoder are very complete. But nothing is perfect and everything is tradeoff, don't you agree?

First off, while I don't have much experience with camcorders, I found this relatively easy to get started on. The zoom, night vision, menu, and VCR functions are intuitive, so anyone with a little patience will get rolling fast. The video looks great to this newbie when piped through a TV, too.

But....it doesn't work as advertised. One of the major reasons I bought a camcorder was to upload video to a PC, burn it as a VCD, and send video of my kid to far-off family members. So I plug in the USB cable, start uploading, everything looks great...but no audio's coming through. I figure I've goofed up the USB driver installation, which is pretty complicated, so I back out and reinstall. No dice. I check online forums and Sony's troubleshooting website, both of which recommend I change my audio driver in the provided software from the Sony driver to standard USB audio. Still nothing. I read more forums and find this is a pretty common complaint, and Sony tech support apparently blows people off when they bring it up. The most reliable solution? Upgrading to Firewire.

So that's what I'm doing. Another 35 bucks. Hey, I know Firewire's generally better for A/V anyway, but I just want this thing to work the way Sony told me it would.

Bottom line: You're probably interested in this model because it's cheaper than Mini-DV. I'd recommend this if you're already using Firewire or don't plan on uploading video to a PC. Otherwise, think twice, because you'll spend extra cash adding Firewire to your PC--cash that you could have used to get Mini-DV in the first place.

There are enough features to satisfy a normal person. Since I'm not normal, I wanted a bit more. Scrolling menus by spinning a tiny wheel is not very user friendly, but it'll do for most. I also wish I could control the fade in and out times. Some buttons that do not require the LCD screen require opening the LCD screen as they are in the inside panel. Charging is very quick and the pictures are crisp. The manual covers everything but is a bit disorganized. It needs to come with a memory stick. Self-focus requires turning the menu wheel instead of a wheel attached to the lens which is a bit annoying but that's okay as I use the auto-focus. The best thing is opening the cassette holder and watching the machine slide it out with a whirring sound.

I wanted to make movies and I had heard that using my mac, this was possible. I didn't want to dither over what camera to use, so I called my sister and she suggested this model. She teaches photography and video production to adults and she's used just about every camera known to man. She said that the JVC was cheaper, but wasn't as steady as the TRV350. I said, "OK", went to Amazon and put my money down. Two days later, it was resting on my doorstep when I came home from work. I have had a blast making movies of all sorts.

It's true that you have to buy a firewire cord, but it doesn't have to be a "Sony" firewire cord, just firewire! As a Mac user, the hookup to imovie is seamless. Just plug it in and away you go!!!

The camera came with a one-hour battery which was fine for awhile, but then I went on Ebay and bought a huge battery for a fine price.

Imagine my happiness when my sister gave me a memory stick for Christmas... I was in hog heaven. Now I don't have to carry my digital camera around or take "freeze frames" from my movies.

I give the TRV 350 my unconditional love and approval. If it doesn't do what you want it to, then you probably haven't read the mannual. Hey, I don't blame you, it's massive! I read it when I have a question or just get to wondering, "I wonder if I can do that?"

I've run about 25 cassettes through the camera and am still finding ways to use it in my work (I'm a speech therapist).

Well, that's my two cents worth! If you buy one, I hope you enjoy it!

I had high expectations for this camcorder,but they were dashed with poor indoor nightime recording with ample lighting. My previous cheap Sharp model aced indoor shots at night. The Sony has to be "tweaked" for every nightime indoor video. I just want to "auto" record sometime. The light is also useless. No hot shoe either. Also.it won't play back all of my older 8mm tapes. It seems to be unforgiving if they were recorded on a non-sony model or a model with dirty heads(the Sharp could though). I think it's a good camcorder if you don't expect too much from it.

I bought this camera instead of the DCTRV250 becasue is had memory stick options for stills and also MPG recording on memory stick and also the 700 zoom.

All 3 options that I mentionabove I felt would be worth the extra $...but I was wrong. The still are poor quality, the MPG's have very poor resolution and when you use a zoom this strong, when you actually do zoom with any distance of over 100 to 200 feet, the picture loses more than 50% of its quality. Its too bad becasue I was very excited... but save your $$ until they can improve these 3 features.