Sony DCR-TRV330 Digital8 Camcorder -- Adds Digital Still Features

Author's Rating:

Pros: Digital8 recording format, digital still features, Memory Stick.

Cons: Pricey for its level of image resolution.

The Bottom Line: 
This continues the basic Digital8 feature set, adding digital still capabilities and a 4Mb Memory Stick.

Author's Review

As with many consumer electronics products, buying a Sony Digital8 camcorder is a "One from Column A, One from Column B" type of decision. The camcorders in the Digital8 line are physically almost identical, all being encased in the same plastic body, and most of the fundamental features which impact upon image quality, such as the lens, CCD chip, and VTR mechanism, are also the same or quite similar from one model to the next. The camcorders in this line are differentiated by things like their LCD screen size and their digital-still capabilities.

The one exception to this outlook on the Sony Digital8 camcorders is the new entry-level model for 2001, the TRV130. This camcorder actually lacks quite a few important features which you find on all the other Digital8's.

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Similarities/Differences between DCR-TRV330 and other Digital8's

The lens and CCD chip in the DCR-TRV330 are identical to those in the other mid-range 2001 Sony Digital8 camcorders, the DCR-TRV230 and the DCR-TRV530. What you get by moving up to the TRV330 is still image capability. The TRV330 adds to the features of the TRV230 the capability of recording 640 x 480 VGA-quality digital still images. The TRV330 also includes Sony's Memory Stick (the camcorder has both the slot which accepts the Memory Stick and the Stick itself). The Memory Stick is shaped like a stick of chewing gum. The 4Mb plastic-encased memory-chip unit included with the TRV330 (the smallest size available, others include 8Mb, 16Mb, 32Mb, 64Mb) will hold 40 pictures in "fine" mode and 60 in "standard" mode. The images are recorded in JPEG format and can be directly printed, included as an attachment to an e-mail, posted in a Web site, or displayed in one of Sony's Cyberframe digital picture frames.

As on the TRV230, stills can also be captured to the camcorder's 8mm or Hi8 video tape. Images captured to video tape in the camcorder can be transferred to Memory Stick and images on the Memory Stick can be transferred to video tape.

The camcorder's "Memory Mix" mode allows the mixing of live video with images stored on the Memory Stick. Via on-screen controls, you can access the chroma key function, "memory overlap," luminance key function, and the "camera chroma key" function. The Memory Stick that comes with the camera includes 20 pre-recorded frame images, including the all-blue background which you would use for the chroma key functions.

A "zoom" playback mode lets you, in play or pause mode, automatically double the size of the center of the image in the viewfinder and then record this enlarged image to Memory Stick.

The supplied transfer cable lets you move stills from the TRV330 to the appropriate connection on your PC or Mac.

If you plan to use your camcorder exclusively for video, the TRV230 would provide you with the a better value than the TRV330. On the other hand, if you want a camcorder which will also provide basic digital-still capability, then it might be worthwhile for you to move up to the TRV330 (or the 530, which replaces the TRV330's 2.5-inch LCD screen with a 3.5-inch screen).

The TRV330, unlike the entry-level TRV130, is backwards compatible with 8mm and Hi8 tapes. The Digital8 format records digitally onto standard 8mm and Hi8 tape stock, using a tape speed which is double that of 8mm and Hi8 camcorders. Like the other Sony Digital8 camcorders (with the exception of the TRV130), the TRV330 has a two-speed tape-transport motor, allowing it to playback legacy 8mm and Hi8 tapes. It does not record analog video onto 8mm and Hi8 tapes.

One of the key features you get by moving up from the TRV130 to the 230 and 330, a feature which will be of great interest to owners of analog camcorders (8mm, Hi8, VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, S-VHS-C), is video pass-through. This feature, available on all the other Digital8 camcorders except the TRV130, allows you to input (via the TRV230's analog A/V inputs) an analog video signal and either record it digitally to tape or output it in real time to a computer or another digital video device via the camcorder's IEEE-1394 (a.k.a. Firewire, iLink) output.

With the TRV330 and the other Digital8 camcorders (except the TRV130), for example, you can input your old video footage from an analog VHS or VHS-C camcorder or VHS VCR and convert it to the digital realm for storage or editing on a computer. Or you can archive your analog video to Digital8 tapes (keep in mind that, although the recording format is digital, the quality of the data can deteriorate over time with the magnetic tape itself). Hi8 and 8mm tapes can simply be played in the Digital8 camcorders, have their analog output converted to digital, and have the video datastream simultaneously output via the IEEE-1394 jack.

If you are interested in getting the best possible results from your video, you will be very pleased to note that the TRV330 has manual focus, in the form of a large ring around the lens. The camcorder also has an autofocus mode, for videographers with more of a hands-off style.

This camcorder lacks manual white balance setting, though this is a drawback on all of Sony's Digital8 camcorders. While the accuracy of the colors you get on your video recordings will be limited by the quality of the automatic white-balance circuitry, which can cause sky-blue to turn to mint-green, viewers' eyes will very quickly adjust to these differences, if they even notice them in the first place. Also, some video editing and effects software will let you fix the color balance in post-production.


Camera Section

The key to video quality is the camera section of your camcorder, the lens and the charge-coupled device chip (CCD) which converts the image from the lens into an analog electrical video signal. The lens has a 37mm filter ring and only goes to a wide-angle setting of 2.4mm, the 35mm camera equivalent of 42mm. The maximum optical zoom setting is 60mm (35mm equivalent of 1050mm), meaning the camcorder has too much zoom and not enough wide angle (unless you like to read your neighbor's newspaper through their kitchen window).

The zoom factor is 25x. Above the 60mm zoom level on the TRV330, a digital magnification feature kicks in, bringing the camcorder up to a maximum zoom factor of 700x. At that extreme zoom, the slightest hand movements will be picked up as image shake and the picture begins to pixilate (break up into individual blocks of color). The 25x optical zoom factor will provide more than enough zoom for just about any actual shooting situation.

While the Digital8 format has a recording potential of 500 horizontal lines, the TRV330's CCD chip will limit the resolution to quite a bit less than that. Sony has actually moved to an even-smaller CCD chip than the 1/4-inch units used in last year's Digital8 models (and, oddly, in the TRV130) and in this year's TRV730 and 830 models.

The single 1/6-inch CCD chip, identical to the chips in the TRV230 and 530, has 460,000 pixels. However, only 290,000 of these are used actively in every video frame. The remaining pixels are employed by the camcorder's SteadyShot image stabilization system.

The TRV330's CCD chip will limit its horizontal resolution to less-than 400 lines. Thus, the horizontal resolution you will get with the TRV330 will not be better than that of a good-quality Hi8 camcorder such as the Canon ES-4000 or the Sony TRV98. Because of the nature of the Digital8 recording format, the color depth you obtain with the TRV330 might look better to you than the image with a Hi8 camcorder, but here again the CCD chip is the limiting factor. If you are a stickler for image quality, it wouldn't be a bad idea to borrow a friend's TRV330 to shoot some test footage. However, as the image quality with the TRV330 will be equal to, or possibly somewhat superior to, Hi8 and S-VHS, and better than VHS and 8mm (video), its image quality will satisfy casual users.

When comparing this camcorder to the models with so-called "megapixel" CCD's, remember that the megapixel camcorder CCD's only use all the pixels when shooting stills. In video mode, they usually are employing about 600,000 of the pixels, allowing them to resolve somewhat more horizontal lines than a camcorder like the TRV330 with a 460,000-pixel CCD. The best image quality is achieved with three-chip camcorders, such as the Sony DCR-TRV900 or DCR-VX2000, even though in these camcorders each of the three CCD chips has about a third fewer pixels (400,000) than the number of active video pixels in the megapixel camcorders.

The TRV330 employs Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization system. In real world terms, the camera's picture stabilization will not greatly reduce visible camera shake. You'll do far more to minimize this by using proper shooting techniques, learning how to brace the camcorder properly, or by using a tripod.



Viewfinder, LCD Screen

The 0.5-inch viewfinder is black and white. The 2.5-inch LCD screen only has 61,000 pixels, which makes its image less than ideal for fine focusing but okay for general shot framing and casual video playback. The LCD screen can swivel all the way around, as well as swinging forward. You can put it into the "mirror" position, allowing your subjects to see how they look while being taped, or twist the screen around and push it back flat against the camcorder body for use during video playback.


Shooting Controls

The TRV330 weighs a bit over two pounds (15 ounces before adding the tape and battery). Adding one of the larger extended-life batteries puts about another half pound on the camcorder's weight. Running time with the standard battery is about 50 minutes, less if you use the zoom frequently, frame your shots with the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder, and/or use the integral video light. The TRV330's body is almost identical to its Digital8 brethren and its shooting ergonomics are similar to most of the other 8mm, Hi8, and Digital8 camcorders on the market.

While innovative new shapes are fashionable on consumer camcorders these days, the TRV330 uses the time-tested rectangular layout which fits well in your hand, allowing you to easily operate the zoom and record start/stop controls while you bring the viewfinder up to your eye. Framing shots with the LCD screen lets you use alternate shooting positions, such as shooting from close to the ground or holding the camcorder up above the heads of a crowd.

Beyond that, shot-framing is limited only by your creativity. I like to put my camcorder inside the refrigerator, allowing viewers to empathize with the way the milk feels in the morning, seeing that blinding flash of light when the door opens and knowing that in just seconds it will be thrown into a cup of hot coffee.

Several of the shooting controls, such as the switches activating the various digital effects, are located behind the LCD screen, forcing you to open this up during shooting when you want to activate these effects.

There is extensive use of menus to access many of the shooting features. You scroll through the menus with a small wheel located at the back of the camcorder and click the wheel in to choose "Enter."

The shutter speeds go as high as 1/4000 and as low as 1/4. The 1/4 setting will let you get some excellent shots, with moving objects appearing to pulse and strobe (the lowest shutter speeds must be accessed through the digital effects menu).

You can set exposure manually (via 24 steps on the menu wheel) or use one of the camcorder's seven autoexposure (AE) modes which include: Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sport Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight, Sunset & Moon, and Low Light.

The NightShot mode uses infrared light to let you capture grainy black & white images in very low light. You could get some interesting footage with this effect.

The 16:9 mode lets you shoot widescreen images for playback on a 16:9 video screen.

The camcorder's time code assigns an individual number to each frame of video (for example, the 22nd frame at three minutes and forty-three seconds into a shot would be identified by hour: minute: second: frame -- 00:03:43:22).

The EditSearch feature lets you replay video while in record mode. For example, if you have just recorded a shot which you decide to eliminate, EditSearch lets you monitor the video, bringing it back to the point where you wish recording to resume, without having to toggle back into VTR (playback) mode.


Digital Effects

The camcorder's seven fader modes let you create transitions at the beginnings and ends of your shots. These include fade to (or from) black, to/from mosaic (transforms the image into a grid of colored boxes), overlap, wipe, monotone, bounce, and random dot.

To enhance your creative expression, the camcorder has eight "picture" effects: mosaic, solarization (the image appears to be formed of layers of finely-grained, colored sand), monotone, sepia, negative, pastel, slim, and stretch.

The digital effects are "old movie," luminance key, flash motion, still, trail, and slow shutter. One of the more interesting of these is luminance key. When activated, luminance key freezes the initial image in the viewfinder, then records live video with part of the initial image superimposed upon it. It's a bit like shooting through a glass negative which has been partially scraped away. The slow shutter feature lets you access the camcorder's lowest shutter speeds (1/16, 1/8, 1/4). Trail leaves blurry trails from any moving object in the frame or still objects you pan over.


Editing Capability

The IEEE-1394 jack on the TRV330 allows you to control the camcorder's playback functions with editing software in a computer (computer must have a DV card with an IEEE-1394 jack). The camcorder also has a very basic 20 segment editor, which lets you choose scene in/out points and then dub these segments, in the proper order, either to another IEEE-1394-equipped video device, such as another camcorder or one of Sony Digital8 VCR's, or to any VCR (the VCR's record stop/start functions are controlled by infrared pulses from the front of the TRV230 -- the accuracy of this method of editing will vary depending on the alacrity with which your VCR responds to record stop/start remote-control impulses).

While the edit controller will work accurately with another IEEE-1394 device, you might get better accuracy with a regular VCR by just simultaneously operating the camcorder and the VCR with their remotes. The TRV330 also contains a LANC jack, which provides another method of edit control, as explained in the Input/Output section below.


VTR Section

The video-tape recorder, or VTR section of the TRV330 records with the Digital8 format on either 8mm or Hi8 tapes. Since the transport speed is doubled for Digital8, you get an hour of recording/playback time from a two-hour (standard size) 8mm or Hi8 tape. These generally sell for about $3.00 and $4.00, respectively. For comparison, a one-hour tape for the other popular digital video camcorder format, MiniDV, will cost at least $7.00.

Unless you take an epistemological approach to capturing family events on video, the tape cost probably won't be a huge factor in your camcorder buying decision. Most video is shot in segments of one or two minutes. The camcorder has an LP mode which increases tape run time by 50% (i.e., 90 minutes from a two-hour 8mm or Hi8 tape).

The Digital8 format has a resolution potential of 500 lines, meaning if you fed video to the analog input of a Digital8 camcorder, the VTR section could capture 500 horizontal lines from a source of that resolution or higher. As mentioned above, the camera's 1/6-inch, 460,000 pixel CCD chip limits resolution to about 400 horizontal lines.


Audio Capability

The TRV330 has an integral microphone. Its stereo microphone mini-jack lets you use a higher-quality external microphone. To conveniently connect XLR microphones to the TRV330, you can use an adaptor such as the Beachtek or the Studio1. These are housed in small black metal boxes and attach to the camcorder's tripod screw (they have their own tripod attachments in their bases, so you attach the mic adaptor to the camcorder and the tripod to the base of the mic adaptor). Both the Beachtek and Studio1 adaptors let you feed two XLR-output mics to the L/R audio channels of the TRV330.

It is also possible to connect XLR mics by using a cable with an XLR plug on the mic end and a stereo mini-plug on the camcorder end. Besides the vast quality improvement you will get with most mics selling for above about $80 (in terms of durability of the mic and/or audio response), using an external mic with the TRV330 lets you avoid picking up the sounds of the zoom motor, the tape transport, and your fingers clicking the camcorder's control surfaces. Usually though, the audio level in your scenes will drown out these low-level camera noises, so the built-in mic will be fine for most shots. Also, the integral mic is a condenser unit and will provide quite accurate audio pickup.

As per the Digital8 format, audio is recorded with either two (L/R) 16-bit/48kHz tracks or four 12-bit/32kHz tracks. In the 12-bit mode, two tracks (L1/R1) are recorded live, while two (L2/R2) are left blank for later overdubbing of narration or music. The 16-bit recording is equal to CD quality, while 12-bit is equivalent to FM radio.


Still Features

As mentioned above, the TRV330 improves upon the TRV230 by adding enhanced digital still capbility and Memory Stick storage and effects features. Like the TRV230, the TRV330 also has a "photo" mode, using what Sony calls Adaptive Frame Interpolation, which allows recording of dozens of images to the video tape, with seven seconds of audio narration for each still.


Video Light

Like all the 2001 Digital8 Sony camcorders, the TRV330 has a 3-watt video light built into the front of the case. Don't expect to wade out into the riot that develops the next time your city has a black out and get evidence-quality shots of all the miscreants' faces. They'll probably steal your camcorder anyway. A light of this power level is what's called a hi-light or eye-light in the video business, meaning that, if a subject is close to the camera, it will add a little twinkle to their eyes.


Battery Features

The included NP-FM30 "InfoLithium" Lithium-Ion battery will power the camcorder for about 50 minutes. Optional InfoLithium batteries have a claimed run-time of up to 12 hours (and also add as much as a half pound to the camcorder's weight). Manufacturer's battery run times are usually about 50 to 100% greater than the actual run time. The viewfinder display gives you the projected remaining battery time in minutes. Running the camcorder with the viewfinder burns 3.0 watts. Running it with the LCD screen burns 3.9 watts. Using both burns 4.1 watts. The integral light will add another 3 watts to the battery load. Frequent use of the zoom will further increase power consumption.


Accessory Shoe

Like the other camcorders in the Digital8 line besides the TRV130, the TRV330 has an "intelligent" accessory shoe. The intelligent accessory shoe, which has eight connection points, works with Sony accessories, such as the optional video printer or lights that can adjust their level according to the exposure settings in the camcorder. If you need an additional accessory shoe, you can get a bracket, for about $12, that takes the camcorder, through the tripod screw, on one end and has an accessory shoe on the other end (just a mechanical attachment shoe for things like lights and mic holders, not the "intelligent" variety designed to work with Sony accessories).


Super Laser Link

The Super Laser Link feature lets you transmit audio and video, from the camcorder, to the optional Sony IFT-R20 Laser Link receiver. This lets you leave the Laser Link receiver permanently attached to a monitor, allowing you to display video played back on the TRV330 without having to connect any cables (except, of course, the cables from the Laser Link receiver to the monitor). Many TV's now have convenient front-panel A/V connection jacks, so the Laser Link will mainly appeal to gadget lovers or people who find it annoying to connect a couple of RCA plugs.


Titler

The camcorder has eight pre-set titles in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese. You can add up to two custom titles, of as many as 22 characters, in various point sizes and colors.


Input/Output

The mini-jack A/V output feeds a customized cable which terminates in a composite video plug plus L/R audio plugs. This lets you send the analog output of the TRV330 to a TV, video monitor, or VCR. You can also use the A/V cable and jack for analog input, feeding a video signal to the camcorder and recording this to tape in the Digital8 format or outputting it in real time via the camcorder's IEEE-1394 jack.

The IEEE-1394 jack lets you feed the video, in digital form, to a computer or to another Digital8 device (such as another camcorder or one of Sony's Digital8 VTR's). The IEEE-1394 jack will also accept control signals, such as from a computer equipped with video editing software or a Digital8 VTR with edit control capability.

A stereo headphone mini-jack lets you monitor your audio without interference from ambient sound. Also, wearing headphones will make you look official and people will apologize and duck out of the way instead of walking through your shots (it also helps to have an ENG van with an extended microwave stick).

The Control-L, or LANC jack, a feature found on all the Digital8 camcorders from the TRV230 on up, provides a means of edit control. When used with an edit controller, VCR, or another camcorder with a corresponding LANC jack, this feature lets you coordinate the operation of the TRV330 and another video device, allowing you to perform editing by selectively dubbing scenes from the camcorder to the other device.


Remote Control

The included remote is handy for controlling the camcorder while it is connected to your TV for video playback. By simultaneously using the camcorder's remote and your VCR's remote, you can effect a crude but quick and effective form of editing your productions onto VHS or, preferably, S-VHS tape.


Other Accessories

The TRV330 also includes an A/C adaptor/battery charger, a lens cap, a shoulder strap, a 4Mb Memory Stick, computer connection cable, photo editing software, and the owner's manual. The very first accessory you should buy with the camcorder is a UV filter. It is much more economical, in case anything hits the front of your camcorder, to break this instead of your lens. After the UV filter, the next thing you will probably want is an extra battery. Also handy, a wide-angle lens adaptor will let you fit more than one or two people into your shots simultaneously.


Build Quality

Like most camcorders selling for under $2,000, the TRV330 has a plastic body. This is a consumer-oriented product. It is not designed for the rigors of EFP work (electronic field production). But it is sturdy enough if you are careful with it. As a precaution, you might want to keep the strap over your shoulder, or possibly connect a short lanyard to the camcorder and attach the other end of the lanyard to your belt.


Conclusion

If digital still capabilities, as well as standard motion video, are important to you, then the TRV330 will give you the best value of Sony's 2001 Digital8 models. The CCD chip in this model could be a little bit better, but it's the same chip you'll get in the other two mid-range models in the Digital8 line (the TRV230 and 530). Only by moving up to the far more expensive TRV730 and 830 models will you get a better chip. If you are really picky about image quality, you should make sure you see how footage looks that is taped, and played back, on the TRV330.

If it is not possible for you to arrange that type of demonstration, then at least find a store that has the TRV330 connected to a video monitor. While this won't reveal the quality of taped footage on the camcorder, it will let you see how well the lens and CCD chip perform.

The image quality of the TRV330 is fine for basic home videography. The many features you will find on this camcorder, such as manual focus and exposure, the digital effects, the extensive still capabilities, and the slow-speed shutter settings, will make this a camcorder you can grow into for quite a long time. If you enjoy electronic and photography gadgets, Sony sells an extensive line of accessories, many of which are specifically designed to work with the TRV330's "intelligent" accessory shoe.

With its street price of $750 (list $900), the TRV330 is a fair value, though you can get a similar camcorder (with a 1/4-inch CCD chip instead of 1/6-inch!) for about $500 if you can find a closeout model of the Year-2000 TRV120. This model is reviewed at the following URL:



http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-4866-116D970A-39EA02ED-prod5/tk_~CB003.1.436


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