Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [8.39mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000063LGQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,412 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Digital8 line was conceived as a path to digital for current owners of 8mm or Hi8 camcorders. The DCR-TRV740 succeeds in that regard, playing back both 8mm and Hi8 tapes.

The TRV740 can also be used as a digital still camera, recording megapixel stills onto the included 8 MB Memory Stick, or it can record MPEG movies. MPEG movies usually are much smaller than DV footage, and can more readily be e-mailed, or posted on the Web.

Sony put in a 15x optical zoom and paired it with Super SteadyShot image stabilization. Image stabilization is a handy technology that helps to eliminate the shakiness associated with high zoom levels. The only way to avoid shakiness completely is to utilize a tripod, table, or other stable surface. The 2.5-inch LCD is the best way to frame your shots, although you can use the black-and-white EVF to preserve battery life.

In addition to the normal slew of ports (IEEE 1394, S-video, Mini AV) that have made their way onto TRV740, there's also a USB port, which, with some included software, offers some interesting functions. Specifically, it allows you to use the camcorder to capture stills, or "broadcast live video with audio," according to Sony, which seems to indicate you can use the TRV740 as a Webcam. There is also one very important port on the TRV740: a mic input. Not only do most camcorders have poor built-in microphones, but also they are often situated too near the tape mechanism, meaning you get the annoying throbbing sound of the tape pulled through the heads.

The DCR-TRV740 comes with a power adapter, InfoLithium battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, remote control, two AA batteries, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, and software CD-ROM.

Product Description

To catch those special memories, do you prefer videotape or still pictures? Why choose when you've got this Digital 8 camcorder? Capture digital still pictures on the supplied 8MB Memory Stick and download them to your computer through the USB terminal. The 2.5" swivelscreen LCD lets you see exactly what you're recording, and the Super Steadyshot tames a shaky hand, making your videos even better! MPEG Movie Mode, analog inputs, and Digital Program Edit are just a few of the other features.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SonyDCR -TRV740 - My first camcorder, March 28, 2002

By 

"samkumar" (overland park, kansas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still (Electronics)

After looking at what Sony had to offer on their digital camcorder line, I decided to buy a TRV740. I was impressed with all the features it had to offer. After playing with the shelf model for a while I purchased the TRV740. Once I opened the product at home and inserted the tape there was a hum or buzzing noise while recording or playing back a recording. In a quiet environment, this buzz is also picked up in the recording. The location of the buzzing sound came from the tapes drive mechanism. I returned the product two times and all subsequent camcorders aired this buzz. If you are looking to buy this product play with a shelf model WITH THE TAPE IN. This way you can judge if this will be a problem for you.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great picture quality for the price, May 24, 2002

By 

Anthony Chen (Roseville, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still (Electronics)

I just upgraded from a Sony TRV95 (Hi-8mm) to the TRV740. I was deciding between the TRV240 and the TRV740 then ended up selecting the TRV740 for its higher resolution (520 line vs "up to 500"). I don't have the TRV240 to compare it against, but I am very please with the picture quality of the TRV740. Definitely a step up from the Hi-8. In addition, I look forward to editing my DV and my Hi-8 tapes on my new computer without a generation loss.

I would have given the camcorder a 5 star rating except for these annoying things that I hope Sony will fix in future models:

1) The tape mechanism IS as noisy as folks say. It IS detectable in the playback IF you listen for it. I can live with this is since the audio record quality is so nice and sharp. My guess is that this noise is due to the tape been driven at 1.5x to 2x the speed of Hi-8.

2) The supplied battery's life is about 60 mins with LCD usage so this will drive most people to buy an additional power pack. This is common across camcorder lines, but still annoying.

3) The 2.5" LCD is not as detailed as the Sony's MiniDV version. While it is acceptable, realized that this 2.5" LCD has 61K pixels and the Sony MiniDV line has almost double the number of pixels.

4) Megapixel or no megapixel, a camcorder's digital stills are rarely as good as a "decent" digital camera. Since I have a 2.1 mega pixel digital camera, the quality of digital stills on the TRV740 is useless to me.

5) Wide angle shots are not as wide as the old TRV95. One would almost need a wide angle lens to properly capture an indoor gathering. However, the wide angle lens is another $$. Again, due to the limited zoom on DV camcorder these days for preserving picture quality (lens), this may be common across other camcorders. I can only wish for 28mm by default.

Okay, I feel bad ripping on the camcorder for so long, overall, I am happy with the TRV740 and I look forward to using it to preserve years of memories.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera, September 17, 2002

By 

Rusty Neff (White Salmon, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still (Electronics)

I bought a Sony DCR TRV740 this summer and have been very pleased with it. It was my second D8 camcorder and is a nice step up from the DCR TR7000 it replaced.

I used the still photo function recently at a boat race and was more than pleased with the results. The high resolution stills come in a 1152x864, which results in a pretty good picture.

Video quality is good. The ccd in the 740 and 840 produces a really nice looking picture.

I can't hear any of the tape drive sound that others claim to hear on their recordings.

The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is the need to get a larger battery is you plan on shooting much away from a power cord. A larger memory stick is probably in order if you intend to use the still photo feature.