Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still
by Sony
Our Price: $279.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SonyModel: DCRTRV740
Product features:
- Digital8 camcorder with 15x optical, 420x digital, zoom, and Super SteadyShot image stabilization
- 2.5 inch color LCD monitor and black and white EVF
- Super NightShot Color Mode enables video taping in total darkness
- Features 1-megapixel CCD; includes 8 MB Memory Stick for still image and MPEG Movie EX capture
- Hi8 and 8mm playback capability; USB streaming capability
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics 3RCA Component Video Cable (6 Feet)
- AmazonBasics IEEE 1394 4-Pin/6-Pin FireWire Cable (6 Feet/1.8 Meters)
- Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 [Old Version]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still
Customer Review: I Expected Better
Summary: 2 Stars
Pros: Picture quality, Hi8 Playback Capability, Price
Cons: Zoom Control, Image Stabilization, Bottom cassette loading, Handling Comfort, 15x Zoom
While holding out for the cost to come down on DVD camcorders and needing a new camcorder that would play my existing Hi-8s, I went with the backwardly compatable Digital8. The TRV740 appeared to be a solid choice with it's many features and great output quality. But when I first started to use it I was quickly disappointed by the following:
Zoom Control: My previous camcorder was a Canon ES5000 (Hi8). The TRV740's zoom control is awful in comparison with the Canon. It's very difficult to activate the slowest zoom speed as the sliding switch does not move smoothly. 9 times out of 10, you'll go right past the slow speed as the force needed to get the switch moving is much greater than the force to keep the zoom speed steady so an overzoom situation happens. Then you're zooming rapidly and have to slow it down which ruins the slow zoom effect.
"Super" SteadyShot: Huge disappointment here. Electronic stabilizers simply do not compare with optical stabilizers (Canon). It almost seems that when the stabilizer is turned off, Sony added shake to the image so that when the stabilizer is on, it looks better in comparison to when it was "off". Just a silly conspiracy theory to let you know how bad it is.
Bottom cassette loading: Did you ever think you'd see a camcorder that had to be removed from a tripod in order to change the cassette? You've got it with this one. Unbelievable.
Handling Comfort: It's a little heavy and not something you want to use for an extended period.
15x Zoom: This is on the low side and the only reason I can imagine that they went with this low of an optical zoom is because of the poor image stabilizer. At 15x, let alone 20x, you need a tripod or it looks like you have some sort of neuro-muscular affliction.
I'll probably keep it to use as a player to backup my Hi-8 collection by playing those tapes to a DVD burner. I recommend looking for something else if you think you'd be bothered by the same things as I am with this camcorder.
1 2 3
Description of Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still
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.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.
Camcorders
Panansonic PV-L671 VHS-C Camcorder with 3.0" LCDPanasonic; Digital Camera
Sharp VLWD255U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5'' Viewscreen, Smart Media Slot and Built-in Digital Still ModeSharp; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Panasonic PV-L751 VHS-C Camcorder with 4" LCD and PhotoShot Built-in Digital Still CameraPanasonic; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GRDVL805U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still ModeJVC; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA CC6373 VHS-C AutoShot CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GR-DVM50U Digital CybercamJVC; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA PRO854 Hi8 CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Sony DCRTRV310 Handycam Digital CamcorderSony; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Hitachi Hi8 Video CamcorderHitachi; Digital Camera
Hitachi 8mm Camcorder with 2 1/ 2" LCDHitachi; Digital Camera
Sony Consumer Tape - Sony V8-25CLD 8mm / Hi8 / Digital8 Camcorder Video Head Cleaning cassetteSony; Release date: 1990-11-21; Mac; Digital Camera
Best price: $22.49