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Sony CCDTRV308 Hi8 Camcorder with 2.5"LCD and Video Light

Sony CCDTRV308 Hi8 Camcorder with 2.5"LCD and Video Light

List Price: $399.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simple is best
Review: I bought this camera for various reasons, though none more specific than my parents constantly asking for photos. I had this camera up and running with a charged battery in two hours.

You can also convert this analog data to digital format with Dazzle 80 software, although be forewarned, if you're a novice like myself, it will be sheer torture to get it installed. I don't recommend using this program with the Sony unless you have a techie as a friend who can do it for you. Otherwise its an awesome combination.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Camcorder
Review: I just got the CCD-TRV-308 camcorder and it is awesome!! The only thing is is that you cant edit your film on your computer you can just play it back. I give 4 - 4 1/2 stars

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Value for a Great Camera
Review: I recently purchased this camera and have been very pleased with its performance. When weighing out the decisions of which camera to buy, it can be very confusing. Which format should I choose? Hi-8, Digital, MiniDV? All of these can seem confusing. For the novice cameraman this camera provides a perfect blend of form and function. The LCD screen is large and vibrant and provides for an easy way to see what you're filming without haveing to peer into a viewfinder.

The only drawback of this camera is that the battery life tends to be pretty short-lived. However, you can purchase an extended life battery which comes in handy if you want to record for extended periods of times. One extremly useful feature of this camera is the light, which really works well at night. Also, a really cool feature of this camera is the ability to shoot in complete darkness (via an infared filming capability).

In a nutshell, if you want great quality and extreme affordability this camera is for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Value for a Great Camera
Review: I recently purchased this camera and have been very pleased with its performance. When weighing out the decisions of which camera to buy, it can be very confusing. Which format should I choose? Hi-8, Digital, MiniDV? All of these can seem confusing. For the novice cameraman this camera provides a perfect blend of form and function. The LCD screen is large and vibrant and provides for an easy way to see what you're filming without haveing to peer into a viewfinder.

The only drawback of this camera is that the battery life tends to be pretty short-lived. However, you can purchase an extended life battery which comes in handy if you want to record for extended periods of times. One extremly useful feature of this camera is the light, which really works well at night. Also, a really cool feature of this camera is the ability to shoot in complete darkness (via an infared filming capability).

In a nutshell, if you want great quality and extreme affordability this camera is for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GOOD DEAL GREAT CAMERA
Review: I recently purchased this camera and I'm very satisfied with it. I find the quality of the pictures with this camera as good if not better than anything else without going to digital. It is very comfortable to hold and the controls are easy to use. I highly reccomend this product to anyone looking for a top quality camera at an affordable price. Nice going Sony!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Camera
Review: I recently purchased this camera and I'm very satisfied with it. I find the quality of the pictures with this camera as good if not better than anything else without going to digital. It is very comfortable to hold and the controls are easy to use. I highly reccomend this product to anyone looking for a top quality camera at an affordable price. Nice going Sony!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great little camera for the money
Review: I've been trying to buy a video camera for the past 6 years (ever since my first monster bought in 1990 died). I finally bit the bullet since this camera seemed so reasonable and so highly-rated. I'm happy with every aspect of this camcorder. The bells and whistles are surprisingly complete, and it's so lightweight that I can (and do) spend the entire day with it in my hand.

One caveat...a wide angle lens would be a smart purchase. It's difficult to get far enough away from the action and still hear what is going on.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great little camera for the money
Review: I've been trying to buy a video camera for the past 6 years (ever since my first monster bought in 1990 died). I finally bit the bullet since this camera seemed so reasonable and so highly-rated. I'm happy with every aspect of this camcorder. The bells and whistles are surprisingly complete, and it's so lightweight that I can (and do) spend the entire day with it in my hand.

One caveat...a wide angle lens would be a smart purchase. It's difficult to get far enough away from the action and still hear what is going on.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simple, but Great Hi8
Review: If you want nothing more than a really good camcorder to take basic videos, the Sony CCDTRV308 is the way to go.

It's probably the best Sony Hi8 camcamcorder you'll get without all the bells and whistles that let you download video on to your PC.

It has a few great features like NIGHTSHOT (which allows video in virutal darkness) and STEADYSHOT. Also, the 20X zoom works really well. (Don't be impressd by the 460X digital zoom-- on any camcorder; the image becomes more blurry the closer you zoom in with it.)

You'll probably have to get another battery, as the one the Sony CCDTRV308 comes with will only last for about an hour or so when using all the functions (LCD screen, stop and start REC). I recommend buying the NP-QM71; it lasts between 4 and 6 hours.

BUT (A VERY BIG BUT), If you want to anything more than basic VCR editing, get at least a MiniDV, especially if you're willing to spend between $500 and $1000. I was willing to drop $500 for a MiniDV because I wanted to easily edit my videos, but I wasn't willing to spend another $500 to upgrade my PC to accomodate the large amounts of data.

Otherwise, the Sony CCDTRV308 is a great Hi8 camcorder for basic video recording and little or no editing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What more do I need?
Review: Price and function are two of the main reasons I now own this camcorder. I have webtv so I can capture all of the stills I need and do it quite easily and without software and a computer.Keep it simple stan is definitly my mantra and this camcorder helps me do just that. More functions and options would just go to waste and be confusing.It is light and ergonomic and I got a free tripod and camera bag with mine at circuit city. I wouldn't buy electronics on line again (been there done that). A longer battery life would be all I would ask for .


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