Sony DCR-TRV330 Digital8 Digital Camcorder / Still Camera With USB Interface

Author's Rating:

Pros: Digital8 compatibility and value, USB and MemoryStick convenience, good picture quality

Cons: Size, low-light video noise

The Bottom Line: 
The TRV330 is a good choice for those who want an inexpensive Digital8 Sony camcorder with PhotoShot, USB and MemoryStick functionality.

Author's Review
The Sony DCR-TRV330 is a Digital 8™ camcorder with still camera mode, MemoryStick and USB interface.

Why Digital8?

The TRV330 is a Digital8 camcorder. 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 in any way.

Advantages of Digital8:

1. You can play your existing 8mm or Hi8 recordings (something that the cheaper TRV130 model does not do)

The Digital 8™ camcorders are usually backward compatible with 8mm or Hi-8 tapes – they can play your existing 8mm or Hi-8 recordings (TRV330 included), but the cheaper TRV130 is not backward compatible with 8mm/Hi8 (keep in mind that neither can record in analog 8mm or Hi8 mode).

2. You save on tape costs (Digital 8 camcorders use regular 8mm or Hi-8 tapes instead of more expensive MiniDV).

The TRV330 allows you to use regular 8mm or Hi8 tapes (Hi8 is recommended), but performs digital recording (basically same format as MiniDV with 500 lines of horizontal resolution), increasing the speed of tape travel twice compared to their analog counterparts.

Sony recommends using Hi8 tapes for Digital8 recording, but regular 8mm tapes will do fine. Sony recommends playing 8mm tapes on the same camcorder that was used to record them. D8 camcorders can record at SP speed (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 60 minutes of digital video) or LP speed (120-minute Hi8 tape holds 90 minutes). But Sony recommends to play the LP-recorded tapes on the same camcorder.

Keep in mind, however, that you cannot record in LP on a 8mm tape – even if you select LP mode using the camcorder’s menu, the recording still will be in SP. To be able to record in LP, you have to buy Hi8 tapes, which are more expensive (about $4.50 for 120-minute Hi8 tape, which holds 60 minutes in D8 SP mode or 90 in LP mode).

3. Sony digital8 digital camcorders are cheaper than their MiniDV models.

Picture Quality

The picture quality of TRV330 is very good, however the video noise appears in low-light scenes. The ability to manually adjust shutter speed and exposure help you to deal with this issue.

Sound

Although the built-in stereo microphone is adequate, you can connect external microphone to the microphone jack on the side of the camcorder. You can also get an optional microphone that connects to the “intelligent accessory shoe” and zooms in and out with the camera. The camcorder uses Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes, for a dynamic range of more than 96dB. In 12-bit mode you can have two soundtracks, 16-bit mode provides better dynamic range.

Why Register Online

If you register the camcorder online, instead of doing it by mail, you get $20 discount coupon code on the accessories in the “Sony Style” online store. At the end of registration, don’t forget to write down the code and phone number.

This discount can be used with any accessory that is in the booklet supplied with the camcorder, with no minimum purchase required. Be ready to resist mild sales pitch to buy more accessories (filters, etc.) I got a nice-looking (but quite short on pockets) camcorder bag for $20 and with a $20 discount paid only $6 for shipping.


Zoom

The TRV330 has 25x optical zoom. The digital 700x zoom is too powerful to use it even to half of its potential, thus I consider it a marketing trick. You know, they put impressive 700x number in the ad and people think that this camcorder is “more powerful” than models from other manufacturers.

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 25x optical zoom is usually sufficient.

Image Stabilizer

The SteadyShot® image stabilizer removes unwanted picture shake, and works great even at reasonably high magnification levels. You can disable it if you want (when using a tripod).

Search Modes

In “camera” mode, you can use “Edit Search” to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use “End Search” button, located under the LCD to find the end of your last recording. You can also use the supplied remote for advanced search, using data code (see below).

Data Code

The so-called “Data Code” is recorder on the tape in digital form separately from the picture. Data includes the date, time and recording parameters. This leads to the ability to search for recording by date (you have to use the supplied remote control).

You can also see the information about the recording conditions as well as date/time by pushing the “Data Code” under the LCD, so there is no need to superimpose the date and time like in the old days and be stuck with video with characters.

VCR Mode

When you switch to VCR mode, the VCR buttons appear on the upper black panel, backlit by the amber light (they are invisible in other modes), which looks cool. 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.

Inputs

The TRV330 has the following inputs: USB, A/V in/out, S-Video in/out, i.Link in/out (FireWire, IEEE 1394), headphone out, microphone input, LANC input. 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.

USB allows you transfer your still pictures (640x480) to your computer for editing, emailing or storing.

Features

You get both a 2.5" LCD and a B&W viewfinder. LCD has good visibility in sunlight and the brightness of it is controlled by the rocker switch on the edge.

The picture effects and digital effects can be used independently (some of them can be combined). The shutter speed and exposure, which are usually automatic, can be adjusted manually, which might be helpful in low light conditions (to combat video noise) and to avoid overexposure. There are several A/V fader modes ("bounce", "dot", etc.)

You can shoot in total darkness with Sony’s Super NightShot™, which enables you to shoot subjects up to 10 feet away (without color) using a built-in infrared light (can be switched on and off using the menu); the optional IR light can extend the range to up to 100 feet. The NightShot™ System provides better overall picture quality by automatically selecting from two shutter speeds.

Also, the TRV330 has manual focus in addition to automatic focus. The manual focus is controlled by the ring. You can enlarge images during playback by 2x, but the process is somewhat cumbersome to be useful.

There are edit search and TBC (Time Base Correction), seven program AE, 16:9 mode and LP recording capability (on Hi8 tape only). The camcorder also features an intelligent accessory shoe, which accepts accessories: microphones that “zoom” with the camcorder, lights, IR lights and photo printers.

The camcorder also allows you to shoot still pictures at 640x480 and store them on the MemoryStick (with an option to transfer them to your computer using USB interface). You can also store still pictures on the tape.

One tape holds hundreds of pictures and 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, suing data code (see above).

Super Laser Link

A built-in Super Laser Link® Wireless Transmitter is also present. It uses IR light to make a wireless connection from the camcorder to your television. You can buy a receiver (IFT-R20) and connect your camcorder wirelessly – the transmission range is up to 26 feet.

Battery

The supplied battery is good for 40-60 minutes. Stamina® Power Management cuts power consumption and extended battery life when camera is not in use. 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. The estimate is usually very accurate.

Remote Control

The camcorder comes with a remote control that features rocker switch to control zoom (one slow speed only), record/stop button, playback functions as well as some advanced functions that are unavailable without it (slow motion playback, frame-by-frame, date search, photo search, photo scan). Batteries are included.

Bottom Line

The TRV330 is a good choice for those who want an inexpensive Digital8 Sony camcorder with PhotoShot, USB and MemoryStick functionality.