Title : Sony DCRTRV140 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Video Light & USB Streaming
Author : Sony Digital Imaging
Release Date : 20020401
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $499.00
Amazon.com Price : $
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Editorial Reviews : You can find digital camcorders for slightly less than the Sony DCR-TRV140, but you won't get Sony's quality and extensive feature list. Captured video proved to be of high quality, whether we viewed it on our TV or transferred it to our PC via the speedy FireWire connection or USB. The USB connection can also be used for setting up the TRV140 as a Webcam via their USB streaming technology. It took some playing around with the Pixela Image Mixer software before we could get the device working properly. In general, a dedicated Webcam would be a better device for this purpose.
But as a digital camcorder, we were quite pleased with the TRV140. Its 20x optical zoom (and 560x digital zoom) allowed for extreme close-ups, while the Super NightShot infrared mode allowed us to record in complete darkness. The mode automatically adjusted the shutter speed during night recording, resulting in a brighter, sharper image than Sony's normal NightShot mode.
The TRV140 isn't without faults. It won't accept inputted video or play back old Hi-8 or 8mm tapes recorded in analog mode, and the battery lasted only about an hour during our tests. But you can purchase Sony's optional NP-FM91 battery pack, which extends battery life to over 10 hours.
The TRV140 has the typical boxiness of the Handycam, but it weighs only a little more than two pounds, with battery. It's comfortable to hold, and its button layout will prove quite familiar to previous Handycam users. It also comes with a remote control for handling the camera's functions from a distance.
Selling for under $500, the TRV140 is a great digital camcorder for users who intend to edit video on their PCs for distribution to the Web for or burning to CD or DVD. --J. Curtis
Buyer Reviews : It is safe to say that any product you buy from Sony is a high-quality product, at least in my opinion, and in the case of the Sony DCR-TRV140 Camcorder, it is no exception.
The quality of the video is excellent; the 'Nightshot' view is useful, however, I don't see any use for it for me.
It should be noted that while the Sony DCR-TRV140 does have IEEE1394 FireWire support (using a 4-pin port on the camera) it does not include the cable necessary for you to connect your camera to the computer through the IEEE1394 protocol. This cable can be purchased separately for around $40 at Sony, or other retailers.
The USB Streaming is excellent, and the software included with the Camcorder is very comprehensive and easy to use; however, I like using Windows Movie Maker 2 to import and edit my movies.
At any rate, to edit the movies, all you have to do is connect the USB cable to the camera and to your USB port on your computer then record the digital video.
If there is at least one thing I would change about this camera, it would be the support and user-guides for the camera. There is a user manual, which does provide basic information, but I found for my needs--which is that of the average user--it is not comprehensive enough.
Despite that downfall, I certainly would recommend this fairly low-cost camera to anyone interested in entering the digital video sector of the digital world.
(by Joseph Schwartz)
Features/Technical Specs : * Digital8 camcorder * 20x optical, 560x digital, zoom with image stabilization * 2.5 inch color LCD and black and white EVF * Features a digital photo mode * Comes with NightShot mode and digital faders and effects
