Sony DCR-TRV240 Digital8 Digital Camcorder With Analog Inputs

Author's Rating:

Pros: Price, picture quality, InfoLithium, features, analog inputs, USB and FireWire

Cons: Battery life with LCD use is short, poor digital still picture quality, could be smaller

The Bottom Line: 
The TRV240 is a good value if you need analog inputs and/or 8mm/Hi8 playback. Otherwise, it is a good D8 camcorder. It has great ...

Author's Review
The Sony DCR-TRV240 is a Digital 8™ camcorder with compatibility with 8mm and Hi8 tapes – it can play your old 8mm/Hi8 recordings.

The camcorder is more compact than older Digital8 models.

Digital8 – DV Compression and Backward Compatibility

This camcorder uses Digital8 format. The digital camcorders usually use MiniDV cassettes, which are small and specially designed for use with digital camcorders. However, they are expensive and incompatible with “regular” 8mm or Hi8 camcorders and VCRs.

The D8 camcorders use regular Hi8 tapes, but performs digital recording (using the same format as MiniDV – DV compression), increasing the speed of tape travel twice compared to analog models.

The TRV240 is backward compatible with 8mm and Hi-8 tapes – it can play your existing 8mm or Hi-8 recordings (unlike the cheaper TRV140). However, it can’t record in analog 8mm or Hi8.

Although the Hi8 tapes are recommended for D8 recording, the 8mm tapes will work too. But Sony recommends playing 8mm tapes on the same camcorder that was used to record them. Since the difference in price between 8mm and Hi8 tapes is quite small, I would suggest one to use Hi8 tapes.

As MiniDV camcorders, the D8 camcorders can record at SP speed (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 60 minutes of digital video) or LP (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 90 minutes). But Sony recommends to play the LP-recorded tapes on the same camcorder. And you cannot record in LP speed on a 8mm tape.

To be able to record in LP, you have to buy Hi8 tapes. In other words, to avoid hassle, I would suggest you to use only Hi8 tapes and use LP speed only when absolutely necessary.

There are several main reasons you would want to buy a Digital8 camcorder:

1. You want a Sony digital camcorder, but their MiniDV models are more expensive
2. The D8 models often provide more features than MiniDV camcorders of other manufacturers for less money. For example, the TRV240 has analog inputs and analog-digital pass-through. The MiniDV camcorders with this feature usually cost much more.
3. You save on tape costs (Digital 8 camcorders use regular 8mm or Hi-8 tapes instead of more expensive MiniDV).
4. You can play your existing 8mm or Hi8 recordings

Picture

The TRV240 produces excellent picture quality while shooting video; and it, since the recording is digital, should not deteriorate as time goes by. There is no analog noise introduced by the magnetic media itself (however the exposure should be set correctly to avoid overexposure and noise in low-light areas), the colors are vivid and edges of objects are well-defined.

However, the picture quality in digital still mode is quite poor and is inferior to even the cheapest digital still cameras. The resolution is low and the picture is “grainy”. Plus, since the camcorder has no Memory Stick, the operation of finding the still picture on the tape and transferring it to your computer is very frustrating and cumbersome.

In other words, the TRV240 is very good when it comes to video, but don’t buy it to extensively use it as a digital still camera.

Sound

This model (like other digital camcorders) uses Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes. The sound is stereo and in 12-bit mode you can have two stereo soundtracks (at some expense of dynamic range). The 16-bit mode provides better dynamic range, but only one stereo soundtrack.

The camcorder has a built-in stereo microphone, which is adequate. You can also connect an external microphone to a microphone jack or get an optional microphone that connects to the “intelligent accessory shoe”.

Zoom

There is a lot of hype about camcorders’ zoom numbers. 400x, 560x, even 700x. These are the numbers for digital zoom and should not be taken seriously. I believe that manufacturers make digital zoom more powerful to attract unsuspecting customers (customers like large numbers). But try to use these camcorders close to their maximum zoom capacity (heck, try even half of that) and you will see nothing other than blur.

What matters more is the optical zoom. The TRV240 has 25x optical zoom, which is more than most of the camcorders on the market. The camcorder also has digital 700x zoom (700x should look good on the advertisement and attract more customers).

The 25x optical zoom is usually sufficient. The variable-speed zoom allows you to zoom in and out very slowly, giving your video more professional look, especially if use a tripod and pan at the same time. The Super SteadyShot® image stabilizer is very effective and removes unwanted picture shake.

Inputs

The TRV240 has an A/V in/out, S-Video in/out, i.Link in/out (FireWire, IEEE 1394), headphone out, microphone input, USB. The i.Link® Digital Interface (IEEE1394, FireWire) is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible digital VCRs, edit controllers and computers. If your computer has a FireWire input and editing software, you can edit your shooting, add titles, transitions, music, narration, etc.

The analog inputs allow you either record analog signal in digital form on the tape or pass it through the i.Link out in digital format.

Data Code

The camcorder records “Data Code” on the tape in digital form separately from the picture. Data includes the date, time and recording parameters. This gives you the ability to search for recording by date using the supplied remote control. You can also see the information about the recording conditions as well as date/time by pressing the “Data Code” button. Editing software also uses data code for locating new scenes, etc.

Controls

The zoom rocker switch is controlled by an index finger and moves in left-right direction, which might make the camcorder tilt clockwise/counterclockwise if the hand strap is not properly adjusted. The digital photo shoot button is located close to the zoom switch.

The non-basic functions are controlled by the left hand (since the right one is controlling zoom, start/stop and camera modes). Some buttons are located under the flip-out LCD screen (volume, display, end search, playback zoom, title, menu), or below it (backlight, edit search, exposure, fader, focus). The menus are controlled by a wheel that also can be pushed to make a selection. It is located on the back panel by the battery.

The 2.5” LCD has a smaller display on the outer part, which displays the tape counter/battery charge state without opening the LCD. The mode/power switch no has markings on the side of the camcorder (instead of having them on the back panel as was the case with earlier models) and can be switched to VCR mode, off/charge or Camera mode.

The LANC, microphone and headphone jacks are exposed (on earlier models they were covered by a lid) on the right side of the camcorder. The left side has FireWire, USB, A/V and S-Video inputs/outs covered by a lid. The USB cable as well as an A/V cable are included.

VCR Mode

The VCR mode allows you to see your material and transfer it to a VCR or other devices using i.Link, A/V out or S-Video. You can also use the supplied remote for advanced search, using data code – search for still pictures or video, use slow motion playback, etc.

The VCR buttons are located on the top panel

Features

Both a B&W viewfinder and a 2.5" LCD are present with LCD having good visibility in sunlight. There is a built-in speaker. The camcorder has picture effects (including digital effects). There are several A/V fader modes. The shutter speed and exposure, which are usually automatic, can be adjusted manually, which might be helpful in low light conditions and to avoid overexposure. Also helpful are programmed AE modes.

You can shoot in total darkness with Sony’s Super NightShot™, which enables you to shoot subjects using a built-in infrared light with normal or slow shutter (but it makes moving object move jerky/blurry). The built-in infrared light can be switched on and off.

The camcorder allows you attach lenses and filters (with wide angle lens being very helpful since the angle of the camcorder is quite narrow). Filters help improve image quality, especially in the bright light conditions.

The TRV240 has manual focus (with a focus ring around the lens) and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones. You can enlarge images during playback by 2x, but the process is somewhat cumbersome to be useful. In fact, majority of transition/fades and other effects can better be done later using good editing software.

The camcorder also allows you to shoot still pictures using Digital Photo Mode.You can later find the pictures among the video segments using “Photo Search” mode from the supplied remote. The remote also allows you to search by date, using data code. As I said before, the picture quality in digital photo mode is quite poor and is suitable for emailing at about 300x200 pixels or less.

The USB connection simplifies the transfer to your computer (but it is much slower than i.Link).

Remote Control

The supplied remote control has a rocker switch to control zoom record/stop button, playback functions as well as some functions that are unavailable without it (slow motion playback, frame-by-frame, date search, photo search, photo scan). The batteries are included as well as a USB cable, software, A/V cable, shoulder strap and power adaptor.

Battery

The power cord can be connected to the camcorder while the battery is attached and the external power also charges the camcorder while it is in the “off” mode. Stamina® Power Management cuts power consumption and extended battery life when camera is not in use.

The InfoLithium feature allows you to see the approximate remaining power at any time: AccuPower™ meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder and is very accurate. To conserve battery power, you can close the LCD and use the viewfinder.

Bottom Line

The TRV240 is a good value if you need analog inputs and/or 8mm/Hi8 playback. Otherwise, it is a good D8 camcorder. It has great 25x optical zoom, backward compatibility and analog-to-digital conversion and pass-through.