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Sony DCRTRV140 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Video Light & USB Streaming

Sony DCRTRV140 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Video Light & USB Streaming

List Price: $499.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Versatility, Affordability and Ease of Operation!!!
Review: This is a multi-purpose photo equipment. It has a lot of utilities that makes it easy and convinient for you to use. You can transfer video to your PC and even capture and print video images using the USB connection and software supplied, or you can just transfer the video to your regular video tapes. Which ever options you choose, the process is very easy.

You can also use it to broadcast recorded or live videos on the web. The Nightshot is also a beauty. And it is also very affordable.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great camcorder for a low price
Review: This is Sony's first attempt at the world of Digital 8 media. While the more expensive version are better, this one is great for its price. It has multiple recording modes (black & white, solarize, etc), night shot & super night shot, and color shot for a list of features as well as a light. It has an lcd screen that you can use insead of the eyepiece, which may drain more power but makes it much easier to record. I found that the nightshot isn't even needed most of the time, as well as the light during low lighting. The picture came out crystal clear in low lighting without turning on eiter feature, something that all camcorders do not do. The night shot allows you to see up to 10ft away in pitch blackness with amazing clarity using infared technology, and can be upgraded to 100ft if you really need it with an add on part. It can WRITE on Digital8 and Hi8 tapes, BUT CANNOT READ TAPES THAT HAVE BEEN RECORDED WITH AN ANALOG CAMCORDER. If you want to watch older Hi8 videos recorded with an older camcorder, buy the next step up from this one. The only problem I found with this camcorder is that recording images and movies on your pc doesn't come out great through USB media. You have to buy a $...I-link cable if you want high quality inages on your pc and, if you have an older pc, an I-link expansion port for your pc... Overall, however, I am quite impressed with the quality camcorder you get at such low cost.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: High Quality Digital8 Recording
Review: This is Sony's lowest level digital camcorder, but it is not low-level at all. It records picture at a stunning 520 lines of resolution and sound in PCM digital stereo. You can truly see the difference in picture quality between Digital and Hi8 or VHS-C. The Digital8 system records digital pictures on inexpensive Hi8 tapes. It's got an incredibly large 20x optical zoom. Optical zoom is the most importaint type of zoom because there is no loss of picture quality. It also has a 560x digital zoom which is less importaint because, the farther you zoom, the worse the picture quality gets. One of the most amazing features of this camcorder is the Infrared Super NightShot. What it does is project an infared light, invisible to the human eye, allowing you to see in no light at all. It comes with various special effects and fade options. The FM30 InfoLithium battery allows use for 3 hours (1 hour w/LCD). It includes an i.Link DV Interface (IEEE1394) for editing video on your computer. It also allows you to have streaming video via USB. This camcorder is a good, moderately priced introduction to digital video with features surpassing those of other brands.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Perfect for Family Fun and Video Projects
Review: We bought our DCRTRV 140 to support a video project - we were up against the deadline and this little camera was so easy to use we were able to transition from a 11 year old Sony Hi8 video camera to this one in less than one day. The easy to use menus and immediate access to editing specials were so easy to pick up that we had all of our shots within 24 hrs. The easy access USB port and packaged software helped us to complete the video project for a school thesis in less than 2 weeks. Great Product, you can always rely on Sony...

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Eject tape broke and Sony won't fix it
Review: We had been very happy with this camcorder - until we pulled it out to take Christmas pictures of our 15-month old son and the camcorder wouldn't record. It wouldn't eject the tape, and after repeated calls to customer service, we've been told that they'll pay for parts, but the labor to fix it is just over $200. Unfortunately even though we've only used the camcorder for under 15 hours, we're outside the 90 days for labor warranty (who'd have thought the camcorder would be unusable after under 15 hours of use?).

Still waiting on a callback from customer service, but having gone up 4 levels already, it's not looking like they'll fix the product.

Think our model will be headed for the trash - and we'll be looking at anything BUT Sony for future purchases. I would definitely steer clear of a Sony after this experience.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This Digital8 is all you need for hi-res digital videos!
Review: WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DIGITAL8 a 520 line video & hi-fi stereo!!

The DCR-TRV140 Digital8 Video camera recorder (Digital Only). This camcorder is awesome. This is Sony's introductory level Digital8 model. The DCR-TRV-140 is a low price, high value, versatile and sophisticated video cam. This is all you will ever need.

Bottomline - This is what you get; uses Hi8 or Digital8 video tape (the simple difference is a 120 minute Hi8 tape converts to a 60 minute Digital8), 20x Optical Zoom (Most important zoom which maintains hi-res feature), 560x digital zoom ( loses hi-res feature when magnified - I recommend staying with OPTICAL ZOOM ONLY!), 2.5 hi-res color LCD screen (opens 90 degrees & can be rotated 180 degrees with an auto mirror image), built-in light with 5 foot range, remote control & sensor, Steady shot (stabilizer), USB streaming, DVIn/Out - Sony iLink (BEST FEATURE - A 4 pin 2 way FireWire(IEEE-1394) for direct digital video & stereo transfer with no signal loss), digital effects, frame recording, hi-fi sound, interval (lapse) recording, SUPER NightShot ( shooting in a dark room without light), backlit feature ( allows to subdue rear light to increase foreground subjects lighting) and much, much more.

This camcorder comes with a 3 hour battery (its real life is about 75 minutes using the LCD screen. The actual battery time remaining is displayed on the LCD screen. The stabilizer eliminates the camera jitter and the hi-res digital pictures are awesome. The supplied video cables allow you to hook up to a tv or vcr. The video transfer via USB (with supplied PC software) or the awesome Sony iLink (FireWire)allows a 2 way direct digital link to a DVD recorder (ie Philips DVDR-985, DVD+RW (rewriteable) or DVD+R (one time) SEE MY DVDR-985 REVIEW).

In Summary - this is an OUTSTANDING DIGITAL8 Video Camcorder. Again this a DIGITAL ONLY unit. The DVR-TRV140 is a great economical way to move into the hi-res (520 line) digital world. Transferring to PC or DVD burner is so simple and digital pictures & hfi stereo sound is the only way to go. Enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A lot of fun
Review: Went to Disney and was very pleased with the results. Easy to use and not cumbersome to carry around. Got stable pictures even on the roller coaster.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Eject tape broke and Sony won't fix it
Review: When I first started to look at camcorders I didn't know exactly what I wanted. The number of features was overwhelming and I wasn't sure which ones would prove valuable. I ended up decided on a set of core features: digital recording, reasonable size, good zoom and computer connectivity.

I finally ended up with the TRV-140 and it has been great. It is a standard handcam size, which means it fits comfortably in your hand but isn't tiny. The 20x optical zoom is very nice. I have yet to need the digital zoom and haven't even considered buying a telephoto lens.

To connect the camera to your computer all you need is a firewire card and the right cable (4 pin to 6 pin). Transferring video was as simple as connecting the cable. Windows XP immediately recognized the camera and I was able to capture and edit film using the MovieMaker software included with XP.

My only complaint is the battery life. The standard battery doesn't last very long, especially if you use the LCD. Consider picking up a second battery when you purchase the camcorder. Sony has a couple of offerings, but all are rather expensive. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the compatible batteries made by Duracell or Ray-o-vac.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great starter digital camcorder
Review: When I first started to look at camcorders I didn't know exactly what I wanted. The number of features was overwhelming and I wasn't sure which ones would prove valuable. I ended up decided on a set of core features: digital recording, reasonable size, good zoom and computer connectivity.

I finally ended up with the TRV-140 and it has been great. It is a standard handcam size, which means it fits comfortably in your hand but isn't tiny. The 20x optical zoom is very nice. I have yet to need the digital zoom and haven't even considered buying a telephoto lens.

To connect the camera to your computer all you need is a firewire card and the right cable (4 pin to 6 pin). Transferring video was as simple as connecting the cable. Windows XP immediately recognized the camera and I was able to capture and edit film using the MovieMaker software included with XP.

My only complaint is the battery life. The standard battery doesn't last very long, especially if you use the LCD. Consider picking up a second battery when you purchase the camcorder. Sony has a couple of offerings, but all are rather expensive. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the compatible batteries made by Duracell or Ray-o-vac.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: web video marvel
Review: while the picture quality isn't fantastic, it's enough if you're intending to put your film up on the internet.
the cameras computer connectivity is a breeze if you follow the manual.


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