Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Camcorder / Megapixel Still Camera With MemoryStick And USB
Written: Jun 15 '01 (Updated Jun 24 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good resolution, picture and sound, remote, looks, LCD, inputs and features
Cons: Nothing major
The Bottom Line: The TRV730 is an improvement over less expensive models in terms of more resolution in both video and still picture modes.
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| dkozin's Full Review: |
The Sony DCR-TRV730 is a Digital8 camcorder with one megapixel CCD, USB interface, 4MB MemoryStick, 2.5” LCD and up to 1152x864 still resolution.
Why Digital8?
Digital8 standard allows you to use Hi8 (or even cheap 8mm) tapes and still record in digital format with up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution. MiniDV tapes that other digital camcorders use are more expensive and incompatible with “regular” 8mm or Hi8 camcorders and VCRs.
You can’t use Hi8/8mm tapes with MiniDV devices and cannot play back your Hi8/8mm recordings on MiniDV camcorder and MiniDV tapes cannot be used in devices of other standards. There are several advantages of Digital8 over MiniDV.
Advantages:
1. If you want to get a Sony camcorder for less money: Sony Digital8 camcorders are cheaper than their MiniDV models.
2. Backward compatibility: You can play your existing Hi8/8mm tapes on Digital8 machines.
The camcorder can play your existing 8mm or Hi-8 recordings (but cannot record in analog 8mm or Hi8 modes). A useful feature for owners of previously recorded Hi8 or 8mm tapes.
3. Savings on tapes: Digital 8 camcorders use regular 8mm or Hi-8 tapes instead of more expensive MiniDV. Manual says that both 8mm and Hi8 tapes can be used, but recommends using Hi8 tapes for Digital8 recording. 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).
Manual recommends playing 8mm tapes on the same camcorder that was used to record them. Same with Hi8 tapes recorded in LP mode (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 record in LP mode, 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).
Megapixel CCD
The camcorder uses 1,000,000-pixel CCD, which is an improvement over 460,000-pixel CCDs of cheaper models. This, in addition to better resolution and picture quality, improves resolution when using digital zoom. It also allows for still pictures with up to 1152x864 resolution, compared with 640x480 pictures from cheaper models.
Zoom
The TRV730 features 18x optical zoom and 500x digital zoom. The digital zoom is very powerful and it is unlikely that you will use its full potential. Even though the image stabilizer works great, I would recommend using a tripod when using high zoom levels. The decent tripod can be purchased on Ebay for $20 - $35.
The variable-speed zoom allows you to zoom in and out at several speeds, including a very slow speed, which gives your video more professional look.
Image Stabilizer
The TRV730 uses the Super SteadyShot® image stabilizer, which allows you to avoid the unwanted picture shake while shooting at high magnification levels as well as while shooting form a moving vehicle. It works great even at high magnification levels and can be disabled through the menu, it if you want (when using a tripod, for example).
Picture Quality
The camcorder produces quality is great, even when using digital zoom, thanks, in part, to the one-megapixel resolution CCD.
Sound
The TRV730 employs Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes (CD Audio uses 16-bit mode, HDCD – 20 bit), for a dynamic range of more than 96dB. In 12-bit mode you can have two soundtracks, 16-bit mode provides better dynamic range. The built-in microphone is adequate, and you can get a better one and connect it to the camcorder’s “Intelligent Accessory Shoe”.
Inputs
The TRV730 has mini USB jack (USB cable is insluded), 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.
The USB allows you transfer your still pictures to your computer for editing, emailing or storing. The camcorder also features an “Intelligent Accessory Shoe” on top and a thread for a tripod on bottom panel.
VCR Mode
When you switch to the VCR mode, the VCR buttons appear on the upper black panel, backlit by the amber light, which looks cool. You can also transfer your recordings to a VCR or other devices using i.Link, A/V out or S-Video. And you can use the analog to digital passthrough – converting the analog signal from analog inputs into digital form and passing it through i.Link. See above for available inputs/outs.
Features
The TRV730 has both picture effects and digital effects that 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.
The camcorder has both manual focus and automatic focus. In manual mode, the focus is controlled by the ring. There are edit search and TBC (Time Base Correction), seven program AE, 16:9 mode and LP recording capability (on Hi8 tape only).
You can enlarge images during playback by 2x, but the process is somewhat cumbersome to be useful. The camcorder also features an intelligent accessory shoe, which accepts accessories: lights, IR lights and photo printers, microphones that “zoom” with the camcorder.
The TRV730 has both a 2.5" LCD and a B&W viewfinder. The use of a B&W viewfinder instead of the LCD conserves the battery life. The LCD has good visibility in sunlight and the brightness is controlled by the rocker switch on the edge.
The camcorder also allows you to shoot still pictures at 1152x864 and store them on the tape (with 7 seconds of audio) or on the supplied 4Mb MemoryStick (with an option to transfer them to your computer using USB interface). 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, using the data code (below).
The Super NightShot™ allows you to shoot in total darkness. It allows 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.
The Data Code
The so-called “Data Code” is recorded on the tape in digital form separately from the picture. Data includes the date, time and recording parameters, which leads to 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 during the playback.
Search Modes
The “Edit Search” can be used while in “camera” mode to look through the material to find the insertion point, or you can use the “End Search” button, located under the LCD to find the end of your last recording. You can also use the supplied remote (see below) for advanced search, using data code (see above).
Remote Control
The supplied remote control has a 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). Two AA-size batteries are included.
Super Laser Link
The TRV730 has a built-in Super Laser Link® Wireless Transmitter, which uses IR waves 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 (NP-FM50) is good for 50-65 minutes (a lot depends on your use of the LCD). The Stamina® Power Management cuts power consumption and extended battery life when camera is not in use.
The InfoLithium allows you to see the approximate remaining power at any time with AccuPower™ meter showing you the accurate remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's viewfinder or LCD.
Bottom Line
The TRV730 is an improvement over less expensive models in terms of more resolution in both video and still picture modes.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
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Location: California
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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