Everything you need: unbiased reviews, product specs and great deals.
|
Sony Handycam DCR-TRV250 Digital-8 CamcorderThe DCR-TRV250 delivers all the benefits of Digital8® recording quality in a smaller chassis. And with the USB streaming feature, you...
Read More
The DCR-TRV250 delivers all the benefits of Digital8® recording quality in a smaller chassis. And with the USB streaming feature, you can turn your camcorder into a video conferencing tool or webcam. Stream live and recorded moving video to a PC via USB! Make your own digital-quality movies. Stream and share content. This remarkably value-priced unit delivers amazingly crisp and clear Digital8® video, which allows you to transfer video to your personal computer via its iLINK® DV input/output (iLINK® DV interface cable sold separately). Kit includes the DCR-TRV250 Camcorder and the free Carrying Case
Minimize
|
|
34 Reviews from Shopping.com
|
Surprisingly good
| Author's Rating: |
|
Pros: Price,low light sensibility,torch,infrared vision,DV in/out,remote,ease of use
Cons: Short battery life,uninspired bottom loading cassette,colors a bit bland
The Bottom Line:
Perfect for beginners or people who don't necessarily look for the latest model around.
I bought this camera because of its price and of features. Given my experience with digital photo cameras, the fancier and smaller it gets, the more drawbacks it has. Did you know that the real world difference between a 540 k pixels (like this one) and one with 800 k pixels is of only 50,000 pixels? I didn't notice it on my standard TV set. And that when pixel count rises,sensibility in low light decreases, forcing manufacturers to use costly compensating technologies?
Technicalities aside, I can say that this thing simply does what's supposed to do. You can film in almost all conditions and get good quality videos. Even when your subject is standing with a huge sun-lit window behind there is a "backlight" function. Not to mention the infrared capabilities, though the image is monochrome and the beam lights up to a couple of meters, the same as the tiny torch. Not ground-breaking, but they work when you need them. Its relative bulkiness works fine for me, adding a little more stability. And you don't run the risk of dropping it out of your pocket.
All connections are all right, especially the firewire link to the computer which allows me to edit movies in DVD-ready format. The USB is not so brilliant for high quality editing, but it may have to do with its maximum transfer rate.
Overall it is a fine camcorder at a competitive price, and it would be futile to compare it to others costing double the price. True, battery life is short, notably when using the torch. And the bottom loading cassette is an outstanding design flaw. But take a look at the price tag again!
Back to all reviews
