Sony DCRTRV38 MiniDV 1Megapixel Camcorder with 3.5" LCD

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Manufacturer: Sony
Price at amazon.com: $899.99
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Features:

• Compact MiniDV digital camcorder with 1-megapixel imaging
• 10x optical, 120x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• Large 3.5-inch touch-panel color SwivelScreen LCD display for easy access to the entire camcorder menu
• Includes 8 MB Memory Stick for still image and MPEG1 capture
• NightShot O Lux infrared system with color mode for recording in total darkness

Product Description:

Despite having a smaller and lighter design than previous models, the Sony DCR-TRV38 loses nothing in optical and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 16:9 widescreen mode, a 3.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder. It also functions as a digital still camera with 1-megapixel resolution and stores images on the included 8 MB Memory Stick. Step-up Value Here are two Sony features that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiate it from other models in the Sony lineup. 1.0 Megapixel Sensor: Of all the world's consumer camcorders, Sony was the first to break the megapixel barrier. Working with high-resolution recording and high-precision Sony custom optics, the benefits are dramatic. You'll see amazing detail on everything you shoot. Every blade of grass. Every strand of hair. The names on the back of player uniforms. And megapixel resolution is also a great benefit in Sony's Digital still camera function (Memory Mode). You'll be able to shoot images at 1152 x 864 pixels, for prints up to 4 x 6 inches. Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices. Digital still images can be captured while in Memory Mode, or images from the videotape can be captured onto Memory Stick media. This feature provides the Dual Function of having one camera for video and still images, and provides the user with a whole new world of imaging possibilities. Image Stabilization Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market. Optics The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The advanced HAD CCD sensor records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV38 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation while achieving ideal images for the situation. More Features You can record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue. Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV38 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder. You can take digital stills and record small MPEG EX movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick. This is where the 1-megapixel resolution CCD shines, by creating sharp images at 1,152 by 864 pixels that are perfect for e-mail or posting to the Web. The TRV38 features a huge 3.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. A stylus is also included for ease of use. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV38 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer. MiniDV Format MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. Contents This package includes the TRV38 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, stylus, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.

Description from Manufacturer:Despite having a smaller and lighter design than previous models, the Sony DCR-TRV38 loses nothing in optical and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 16:9 widescreen mode, a 3.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder. It also functions as a digital still camera with 1-megapixel resolution and stores images on the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

Step-up Value
Here are two Sony features that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiate it from other models in the Sony lineup.

1.0 Megapixel Sensor: Of all the world's consumer camcorders, Sony was the first to break the megapixel barrier. Working with high-resolution recording and high-precision Sony custom optics, the benefits are dramatic. You'll see amazing detail on everything you shoot. Every blade of grass. Every strand of hair. The names on the back of player uniforms. And megapixel resolution is also a great benefit in Sony's Digital still camera function (Memory Mode). You'll be able to shoot images at 1152 x 864 pixels, for prints up to 4 x 6 inches.

Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices. Digital still images can be captured while in Memory Mode, or images from the videotape can be captured onto Memory Stick media. This feature provides the Dual Function of having one camera for video and still images, and provides the user with a whole new world of imaging possibilities.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The advanced HAD CCD sensor records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV38 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV38 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

You can take digital stills and record small MPEG EX movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick. This is where the 1-megapixel resolution CCD shines, by creating sharp images at 1,152 by 864 pixels that are perfect for e-mail or posting to the Web.

The TRV38 features a huge 3.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. A stylus is also included for ease of use. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV38 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV38 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, stylus, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: a solid camcorder but you can do better Rating:
the sony trv38 is one of sony's mid-range miniDV camcorders. it's a solid camcorder but i believe you can do better in this price range.

pros:
- very good video quality - colors are reproduced accurately.
- 1 megapixel still capability.
- miniDV media is widely supported.
- great connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, mic input, etc.
- carl zeiss lens with 10X optical zoom.
- steady shot and night shot.
- ability to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.
- progressive shutter system.
- supports exif 2.2.
- the 3.5" LCD screen is great.
- very clean design (controls are accessed via the touchscreen lcd).
- low motor noise.
- intelligent accessory shoe.
- allows some degree of manual control.

cons:
- no pop-up flash for taking stills and no built in video light but you can get a flash/video combo light for less than a hundred bucks.
- you could do better on the still photo department. for example, sony's trv80 and trv70 have 2 megapixel capability but those camcorders are more expensive.
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.
- navigating menus on touch-screen LCD isn't terribly intuitive.
- don't expect miracles from 1 megapixel stills.
- short battery life with included battery (you'll want a spare battery anyway).
- bottom loading cassette - can't remove tape while camcorder is on a tripod
- not as compact as i would like. dimensions are 3-5/8"H x 2-7/8"W x 6-3/8"D, and it weighs 1 lb 7 oz without tape and battery.
- the included 8MB memory stick is unacceptable. be prepared to shell out more money for at least a 32MB or bigger memory stick.

this is a solid camcorder but i would recommend three sonys (trv33 or pc105 or trv70) and the panasonic gs70 over this camcorder.

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Comment: Great video quality, extras cost a lot Rating:
The DCR-TRV38 is in the mid-range Sony's 2003 line of consumer camcorders. It is similar to the DCR-TRV33 but has a larger LCD screen, which is a nice plus. The DCR-TRV70 and 80 have higher resolution, but at significantly higher cost. The reviews I've read state that the DCR-TRV38 hits the sweet spot in terms of video quality and price. My impressions are as follows:

PROS:
-Build quality and performance are excellent. The video is very clear and sound is pretty good. Low light resolution is much better than competing camcorders in the same price range.
-Compact size
-The SteadyShot function works exactly as delivered. The motion sensor method that Sony utilizes is superior to the digital method used in competing products (such as the Panasonic GS-70).
-The Carl Zeiss with 10x optical zoon is great.

CONS:
-The main negatives of the DCR-TRV38 really deal with the overall cost of ownership. In addition to purchasing the camcorder, I ended up buying the following:
-A larger battery (the included one is woefully underpowered)
-A protective lens filter to shield that great Carl Zeiss lens
-A charger to quick-charge the larger battery
-A firewire cable to connect the camcorder to my PC
-A camera case (Sony only includes a strap)
-A tripod, which some people might not need
As you can see, this made the camcorder really much more expensive than I initially expected. (Reminds me of buying a car.)
-Having the MiniDV tapes load through the bottom means that you can't keep the camcorder on a tripod and change tapes. Not a major inconvenience.
-As with most camcorders, the still picture function is a joke. You'll get better pictures from a disposable Kodak digital camera.
-You have to use the touch screen on the LCD to navigate through many of the camera's functions. This can get the screen dirty or can actually damage the screen if you are too forceful.

Overall, I think the camcorder is a very good product. Just plan on spending $100-200 extra to make it worthwhile. At least Sony gave a 20% discount coupon for accessories when I received the camcorder. The other camcorders I considered seemed to have one or two areas superior to the DCR-TRV38, but the overall package fell short. For instance, the Panasonic GS-70 has the highly touted 3 CCDs for better color representation, but resolution suffers due to the smaller CCD sizes. (The digital motion stabilization was another negative). The Canon camcorders in general are tidy and inexpensive but seem to suffer from poor low light capabilities. I'm happy with my purchase.

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Comment: As good as it gets Rating:
Can't see how a camcorder could be any better unless it were bigger. Easy to use (even my wife uses this one - she never used our Panasonic). We Bought this instead of the Sony DVD Camcorder because of the Good Reviews on this and the bad ones on the Sony DVD model. So glad we bought this one.

The nightshot is awesome. Definitely buy a larger battery and extra tapes.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)