Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode
by Sony

List Price: $1,099.99
Our Price: $228.88
You Save: $871.11 (79%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details

• Digital8 camcorder
• 18x optical, 500x digital zoom with digital image stabilization
• 2.5-inch color LCD monitor and monochrome EVF
• Records 1152 x 864 digital stills onto included 4 MB Memory Stick media
• Uses an included InfoLithium battery; also includes AC adapter, remote control, A/V cable, USB cable, CD-ROM software

• Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 [OLD VERSION]
• AmazonBasics IEEE 1394 4-Pin/6-Pin FireWire Cable (6 Feet/1.8 Meters)
• AmazonBasics 3RCA Component Video Cable (6 Feet)
• Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 [Old Version]
• Roxio Creator 2010 [OLD VERSION]

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

Customer Review: Great Camera / Moderate Price / Wonderful Results
Summary: 4 Stars

If I could give this camera 4.5 stars I would.

The video quality is great in good and poor light. The only complaint I have is a minor problem with the initial auto-focus time taken IF lighting isn't steady. If you turn the camera on in an area where light may fluctuate (night time on a busy street, clouds rolling away from a bright sunset etc) it can take up to 5 to 7 seconds to start clearing up with auto-focus. Of course, you are welcome to try to use manual focusing but it too would take you that long to switch to manual focus and then adjust the display. This is not a huge problem and extreme circumstances are necessary to duplicate the issue.

Night shot is good. The only issue I have with it is the same issue I have with most dark-shooting cameras -- it "centers" the light. It almost appears as if you are shining a green flashlight into the dark. You then get a circular fade off into the corners where the intended film target cannot be seen. The "Super Night Shot" feature is worthless. The sample rate is so slow and the video so unfocused 75% of the time that this feature could have been left away. I will say that the regular night shot is crisp and clear as opposed to snowy / grainy like other digital camcorders.

The zoom is steady and crisp. The microphone does, however, pick up the zoom button if you "flick" it on and off rather than "ease" it. Play with it for a while and practice before you start taking video that has important audio with it. The microphone is good on this. It picks up all the sound you want and keeps the unwanted background sound to a minimum. If you think it needs work you can purchase the external microphone kit or use your own mic plugged into the external mic port.

I also purchased the Sony starter kit that included an extra battery and a very nice Sony carying case. The extra battery is nice as it is with almost any device. You can charge one battery while using the other. I recommend purchasing this accessory kit to keep your camera nice and protected, as well as giving you the extra battery. I also recommend that you purchase an external charger for your battery. I purchased a battery kit that allows me to plug the battery in the car charger or at home in a standard outlet. It's a wonderful option to have. If you are going to be filming for an extended period of time, consider purchasing at least one extra battery and the charger.

The in-camera video editing options are nice to have if you blew all your money on the camera and don't have the $$ to spend on the firewire card to do your editing on the computer.

This brings up my next point. If you want to do good video editing I recommend the low-priced Sony DV Editing Kit that can be bought online or at any electronics store. The kit is called EZ Editor. At the time of this writing, I was able to purchase my kit at a local store for $89 (MSRP: $99). The kit gives you an interal PCI two-port firewire card, a firewire cable, and Pinnacle Studio 7 SE. The software is excellent (much better than the MGI software provided with the camera itself). The installation of the card is easy, the software is simple and has a multitude of features and is 100% compatible with the camera.

This camera is great all around. It has every port for input and output that you would want (under current standards). The instructions are GREAT. Thank goodness they finally developed a manual written in English.. and English only! Now you don't have to flip around trying to find the portions that you understand.

I know I have pushed a few accessories here. I'm not a salesman or a Sony representative. My feeling, however, is that accessorizing makes the camera. This camera is nice by itself but is much more convenient once you add the things that make your life easier.

In summary, I think the camera is great. I think you should purchase the following accessories:

- Battery Charger
- EZ Editor DV Editing Kit
- Carying Case * Can be purchased in a kit
- Additional Battery * Can be purchased in a kit

Each person may need different accessories (which is why they aren't included in the camera package) so use the information provided here to help you decide if you need these accessories or not.

I would recommend that you take the time to step through the owners manual and test each feature that they walk you through. It will prevent you from introducing yourself to the feature at a time when you'd rather be filming. If you purchase the carying case, the manual fits snug into the front pocket. Keep it there and reference it.

Lastly, I recommend buying this somewhere that you can get a warranty. Cleanings are recommended every 6 months, this is still a new technology and the warranty doesn't cost that much. I purchased my camera at Best Buy with the warranty. I can bring my camera into Best Buy for a free cleaning as often as I like. I have unlimited repair or replacement of my product should it need replaced. I don't usually buy these warranties, but when you spend this much on a camera, consider this insurance!

Description of Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

The black-and-white EVF is adequate, but the large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor is the better bet for framing your shots. MPEG movies and digital stills can be recorded onto the accompanying 4 MB Memory Stick, which can then be downloaded to your computer via USB. Like all DV camcorders, the audio is recorded at CD quality levels--PCM digital stereo. Should you need more professional sound than the built-in mic provides, a mic input jack is located on the camcorder.

Because the DCR-TRV730 uses the DV format, you can download your footage to a computer for editing using an IEEE 1394 cable. Analog pass-through ports are built-in, letting you digitally archive all your old analog footage. Also included are a shoulder strap, lens cap, battery, AC adapter, and remote control.

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