Sony DCRTRV30 Mini DV Handycam Camcorder

[Archived in $1000 - $2000, All Camcorders, All Digital Camcorders, All Sony Camera und Photo, Camcorders, Digital MiniDV, Products, Sony]

Manufacturer: Sony
Price at amazon.com: $1,799.99
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Features:

• MiniDV camcorder
• 10x optical, 120x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• 3.5 inch color LCD and color EVF
• Records digital stills at a resolution of 1360 X 1020 onto included 4 MB Memory Stick
• MPEG movie mode

Product Description:

From its professional Carl Zeiss lens to the 3.5-inch LCD, and everything in between, the DCR-TRV30 screams quality. It is unequivocally Sony's top consumer model, and well worth the expense. The foundation of any camcorder is the imaging system: the lens and CCD. The lens is a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar. While less expensive models may have a larger zoom, the truth is that the larger the optical zoom, the larger the chance that any lens defects will show up in the video you are shooting. A 10x zoom is a good tradeoff in terms of image quality and zoom length. Additionally, Super SteadyShot technology helps keep your video from suffering from the common malady known as handshake, an unavoidable consequence of high zoom levels. Super SteadyShot essentially means image stabilization. There are varying types of image stabilization, but the Super SteadyShot variety moves the internal mechanisms of the camcorder to compensate for any camera movements. Finally, the lens on the TRV30 also has a manual focus ring--a step better and more immediate than the clunky interface most often used in digital camcorders The CCD in the TRV30 is of enough resolution to capture 1,360 x 1,020 digital stills onto the included 4 MB Memory Stick--about a 1.38-megapixel image. That resolution is currently tops in the digital-camcorder world (the digital still resolution of camcorders hasn't risen nearly as fast as that of digital cameras), and is good for prints up to about 6 by 9 inches. As far as video is concerned, Sony claims the high-resolution CCD translates into a video resolution of around 530 horizontal lines, which is about 10 lines better than the MiniDV spec calls for (520 lines of resolution). LCD's are probably the best way to frame your shots on a camcorder, and that usually means the larger the screen the better. At 3.5 inches, the argument could be made that the TRV30 offers the best, just based on size. The only downside? The larger the screen the larger the battery drain. This isn't that serious an issue, as there are many other factors in battery life besides LCD size. Two items jump out as features that should be included on all camcorders: a headphone jack and 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. Additionally, a headphone jack takes some of the guesswork out of your audio sources. For example, if you're recording a child's presentation, you'd most likely want to make sure you can hear the child. Finally, Sony added a couple of fun features that make the DCR-TRV30 a more interesting machine. First is the inclusion of an MPEG movie mode; essentially, this allows you to record short movie clips onto a Memory Stick. While the quality won't replace MiniDV anytime soon, it's easier to shoot short MPEG movies and e-mail them than it is to edit your DV footage to a manageable length, render it into a format that's easy on the bandwidth, and send it off. Second, Sony added pass-through analog to digital conversion. Let's say you have a stockpile of old VHS tapes that you'd like to convert to digital. Simply plug your VCR into the camcorder, and then plug your IEEE 1394 cable into your computer from the camcorder. That's it. Most other models require you to first dub your old footage to MiniDV tapes before sending it the computer. Included with the DCR-TRV30 are a power adapter, InfoLithium battery, remote control, stereo A/V cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, 4 MB Memory Stick, USB cable, and a software CD-ROM.

Description from Manufacturer:From its professional Carl Zeiss lens to the 3.5-inch LCD, and everything in between, the DCR-TRV30 screams quality. It is unequivocally Sony's top consumer model, and well worth the expense.

The foundation of any camcorder is the imaging system: the lens and CCD. The lens is a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar. While less expensive models may have a larger zoom, the truth is that the larger the optical zoom, the larger the chance that any lens defects will show up in the video you are shooting. A 10x zoom is a good tradeoff in terms of image quality and zoom length. Additionally, Super SteadyShot technology helps keep your video from suffering from the common malady known as handshake, an unavoidable consequence of high zoom levels. Super SteadyShot essentially means image stabilization. There are varying types of image stabilization, but the Super SteadyShot variety moves the internal mechanisms of the camcorder to compensate for any camera movements. Finally, the lens on the TRV30 also has a manual focus ring--a step better and more immediate than the clunky interface most often used in digital camcorders

The CCD in the TRV30 is of enough resolution to capture 1,360 x 1,020 digital stills onto the included 4 MB Memory Stick--about a 1.38-megapixel image. That resolution is currently tops in the digital-camcorder world (the digital still resolution of camcorders hasn't risen nearly as fast as that of digital cameras), and is good for prints up to about 6 by 9 inches. As far as video is concerned, Sony claims the high-resolution CCD translates into a video resolution of around 530 horizontal lines, which is about 10 lines better than the MiniDV spec calls for (520 lines of resolution).

LCD's are probably the best way to frame your shots on a camcorder, and that usually means the larger the screen the better. At 3.5 inches, the argument could be made that the TRV30 offers the best, just based on size. The only downside? The larger the screen the larger the battery drain. This isn't that serious an issue, as there are many other factors in battery life besides LCD size.

Two items jump out as features that should be included on all camcorders: a headphone jack and 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. Additionally, a headphone jack takes some of the guesswork out of your audio sources. For example, if you're recording a child's presentation, you'd most likely want to make sure you can hear the child.

Finally, Sony added a couple of fun features that make the DCR-TRV30 a more interesting machine. First is the inclusion of an MPEG movie mode; essentially, this allows you to record short movie clips onto a Memory Stick. While the quality won't replace MiniDV anytime soon, it's easier to shoot short MPEG movies and e-mail them than it is to edit your DV footage to a manageable length, render it into a format that's easy on the bandwidth, and send it off. Second, Sony added pass-through analog to digital conversion. Let's say you have a stockpile of old VHS tapes that you'd like to convert to digital. Simply plug your VCR into the camcorder, and then plug your IEEE 1394 cable into your computer from the camcorder. That's it. Most other models require you to first dub your old footage to MiniDV tapes before sending it the computer.

Included with the DCR-TRV30 are a power adapter, InfoLithium battery, remote control, stereo A/V cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, 4 MB Memory Stick, USB cable, and a software CD-ROM.Average Customer Rating:

---

Comment: Nice Camera, but a few annoyances . . . Rating:
A beautiful camera, but a few annoyances . . .

- Did not come with a case.
- Did not come with a tape.
- Comes with one battery and no external charger i.e. you need to charge battery in the camera so if you buy a second battery; you also need to get an external charger.
- MPEG movie mode to stick limits you to 15-second shots, even if you have enough memory to take more. Not sure why. Camera comes with 4mb, I bought an additional 128mb stick.
- USB functionality is for the stick only i.e. you can't use the USB port to pull from the tape. For that you need a Firewire card. This makes sense, from a speed perspective but is not evident from the technical documentation on Sony's site. It seems like an output port choice but there is none; it's either/or depending on what you want to move to PC. USB driver provided by Sony sets the stick up as a removable drive - you can copy the MPEG's and JPEG's right over.
- Firewire card I had was compatible with Windows ME but not with the software that came with the camera. The card does work with the native ME software (I think it's: "Windows Movie maker".)
- Again, card and camera will not work with Adobe Premiere 5.1c although the Adobe site says the most recent version will work with Card/Camera combinations recognized by Windows.
- Built in flash is adequate but if you need to take red-eye free shots consider the external flash - the red eye mode on the built in flash isn't always adequate.

Not a small camera but the size is well worth the trade off to get a two in one device i.e. camcorder that takes decent still shots. For those important moments you may fall back on your old 35mm or hi-res digital camera but the 1.5 mp images this camera provides should be acceptable for most occasions and not having to lug two cameras is great.

All-in-all, one of the best mid-level cameras out there - Sony just needs to charge $100 more and throw a few more accessories in the box.

---

Comment: Awesome, but pricey Rating:
I have owned this camera for about 6 months, and did about 2 months research. This camera is the best camera out there and is worth every penny. I can not believe all the options available. I am still learning how to use them all. If you have an wild imagination, this camcorder will make all your dreams come true. Although there are alot of options, they are very easy to understand and very simple to use.
The digital pictures come out very clear, and everyone was amazed at the video playback. It is amazing.
The only drawbacks about the camera is that you have to purchase another battery. The one that comes with it does not last very long. You also need to purchase a bigger flash card for the pics. The one supplied only holds about 4 high res pics, and finally you should invest in a uv protective lense. This will keep your original lense from getting scratched. All these additional products will add about another ($) to ($) to your bill, and you still have not bought tapes yet.
But in the end, it is worth every penny...

---

Comment: Four Stars going on five Rating:
I bought it whilst pregnant (about 6 months) thinking I would really have enough time in my hands to fiddle around and learn all the tricks....Not really in reality! The baby as just turned one and I am really now starting to get the hang of it! From what I have seen so far it is great! Definetely a bonus for those that live away from their loved ones, specially when you can very quickly record 15 secs flicks and slot the memory card onto your for example sony mouse/memory stick reader and access all the technology and e-mail it. I have to be honest and give it to XP professional and ADSL to make everything happening nowadays so much faster. Next move...update PDA, have done phone though (Sony Ericsson T300 - just brilliant). Keep it coming technology, big fan of it and thank you Amazon.com for supplying me all the information I NEED!

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)