Sony Handycam DCR-TRV140 Digital-8 Camcorder

Pros: Price, performance for the price, features, looks
Cons: Size, still picture quality, no analog inputs or backward compatibility with 8mm/Hi8

The Sony DCR-TRV140 is an inexpensive Digital 8™ camcorder. And here lies its beauty for people who like everything Sony – it is the cheapest digital camcorder from Sony.

Digital 8

There are several good...

Pros: Sony build quality, ease of use, no surprises
Cons: picture quality average, included battery,

After reading the other reviews posted, I wanted to chime in as well with my opinion. I bought this camera over a year ago, and the main reason for buying it was to get my daughter on tape as she grew older. I did not want to spend a ton, and after ...

Pros: Easy access to all buttons and functions
Cons: Unable to playback on analogue tapes

While this is my first digital video camera, I have used a number of other brand cameras in the past. I bought this camera because your kids grow up too fast and I have other Sony products in my home.

I have found that the Sony DCR TRV140E is...

Pros: Easy to use
Cons: Pixels not enough for sharp photo

I have taken home movies for over 30 years. This is an easy camera to use. I am not that pleased with the playback viewing. If I keep the viewing small, the pictures look great, but when on a larger screen the pictures just are not that great.
...

Pros: night shot is great, priced right for the beginner
Cons: battery life, no accessory shoe and digital 8 quality

this was my first camcorder, and i was impressed with the features that came with my 380 bucks i spe ...

Pros: Easy to use Quick link to computer Good battery life
Cons: Hard to edit on computer

I'm pretty happy with this. I like that it shoots digital and still pictures and is easy to capture into my computer. It hooks right into the USB, which some others didn't. However, it's really hard to edit. I guess I should buy an editing program....

Pros: Good features for the price
Cons: Image quality created is terrible

I bought the 140 to record indoors in theatre situations. In that case I use a tripod and the remote. Outdoors I use a tripod when it is feasible. I find the created image quality as bad as old VHS. No improvement for the price. Don't know if it is...

Pros: Top name brand
Cons: Very bad quality

I got the DCR-TRV140E camera for my birthday in November 05. I was happy with it until it until now.

In October 07 I recharged the battery to video my daughters' 7th birthday party and was disappointed only to find out that I was not able to see anything through the view finder or the flip out screen.

I contacted my local sony outlet who informed me that I should send it back to sony and they will repair it for free as they are recalling base on the problems I am having.

I contacted Sony head office and spoke to a representative before sending the camcorder in. I was informed that eventhough it was not on the list of callbacks, as my camera has the same problem I should send it back.

The camcorder has no been returned unrepaired. When I called to inquire as to why it was not repaired, I was told that the camera was not one on call back and furthermore they do not stock the parts.

If sony main repairs team does not have the part, then who has?

I cannot afford to purchase a new one and I need my camcorder fixed.

Pros: Easy to use. Handy remote. Great for streaming video if your using XP.
Cons: Won't work with Vista! Taking pictures with it is a nightmare.

For easy of use, and a good amount of options this camcorder is fantastic. Video quality is great for home movies. The night shot is awesome for the nights your girl wants to behave like Paris Hilton. However it's still a bit pricey, and totally forget about it if your planning on using it with Vista as Sony hasn't (and doesn't look like they will) create drivers that will allow it to work. Vista refuses to recognize it using either FireWire or USB. As I have just "upgraded" to Vista I am now considering selling the camcorder for this reason. It's of no use to me if I can't upload my movies and share them.

Pros: famous brand
Cons: bad quality

In 2002, for my upcoming baby, I decided to buy a camcorder to capture his special moments. After some research, I bought my first Sony Camcorder (DCR-TRV140) on Oct 10, 2002. Around Christmas, 2002, the third time I tried to use this Camcorder, I found that the screen and the viewfinder remained black in camera mode, and no video could be taken since.

In 2003, I got another DCR-TRV140, this one last longer. In 2004 Easter, while my husband tried to use it while my son's picking Easter eggs, the same problems occurred, the screen and the viewfinder remained black in camera mode, and no video could be taken.

Pros: Very poor playback on USB but firewire good
Cons: none on the price

Hello I am completely new to camcorders but take a lot of photos so to me this is all new.
I got the Sony DCR-TRV140E from a outlet shop with no battery but the price was very good!
Now to using it I find to does all I need it to do and to start with I was very happy looking at the playback on the unit but when it came to looking at it on my computer screen it was not that good (I was using the software and USB cable that came with it).
But I then ran it from Firewire and it takes on a new look.
And bye the time I had run it on the computer to make a DVD that will play in a home unit it was something to be proud of.
All I can say is do not use USB use firewire if your PC does not have a firewire card fit one mine was only £5 and the cable £3 and it looks brilliant On TV or computer from a DVD disk.
So have fun.
Peter Smith

Pros: Sony (name says it all)
Cons: Battery price & life

I got this camera just the other day. I bought it used (almost new) on ebay.
This camcorder might not be the latest and greatest but it is very good for me.
I wanted a camcorder (my first) to capture my children. I am not planning on making movies so it will do just fine.

The first thing that I noticed was you will not hear the motor if there is background noise. Even without noise it only sounds faint.

One item that I love is the fading. You can turn the camera on and hit record and then fading. It works so neat and takes away that stop/start cut off in normal use.

The light on the camera works great and does light up what you need to see.

The zoom is perfect and has an auto focous.

I haven't used the night shotting but will on Halloween.

All in all I think this camera is great.

The only down fall, is that the batteries are so expensive and don't last too long. But if you can get a few to keep on hand, it will work out great.

Pros: Nice features and easy to use.
Cons: Downloaded picture quality was dreadful.

I was looking for a brand known for quality of picture and workmanship. I wanted to download the videos to my computer to store on CDs or DVDs and something which would last a few years. One year later, and about eight hours of video, the camcorder went dark. Only very bright light could be seen through the view finder and LCD screen. After an hour plus drive to the Sony service center, the estimate for repair was $285 when I paid about $360. The video downloaded was choppy and very grainy. Do not but this camcorder for digital quality.

Pros: Easy to use, good picture quality, expendable.
Cons: No backward compatibility to Hi 8

I picked up a TRV-140 the other day for under $100.00. At that price it is a very good deal. I own part of a company that makes TV commercials and we shoot everything in DV. However, I wanted a backup camera for pickup shots that would match or at least come close to DV quality. The image quality is good, better than my Canon L2, but not as good as the XL1s. No surprise there. Yesterday I happened upon a accident involving a tanker truck and had the 140 with me. I got some very good shots for our evening news program. I now carry the TRV-140 with me "Just in case"
Editing is easy with the firewire connection going straight into our NLE. No complaints but remember, you get what you pay for. At less than $100.00 I am happy with this one.

This camera is great! I recently purchased it for my husband because he travels frequently and boy it definitely does the job and then some. I found it to be inexpensive for the quality. The DCRTRV140 is small and light. My husband and I love it!!!!!!!! For first time buyers, have no fear it is really easy to use and fun too!