Review of Sony DCR-TRV350 Camcorder

Sony DCR-TRV350 Digital8 Camcorder at ClubMac.

Not outstanding camcorder but digital and only for $490 or so.

The Digital-8 format records digital video and audio on a standard 8mm or Hi-8 tape with much better picture quality than the analog 8mm or Hi-8 format. And you can playback an existing library of 8mm and Hi8 analog recorded videotapes.

Sony DCR-TRV350 replaces TRV340 and includes 1/6" 460K Pixels (effective 290K Pixels) CCD and 2.5" LCD Monitor.

TRV350 features a 20x optical zoom, for those times when you want to get very close-up, and 700x digital zoom, which allows you to zoom in on subjects or pull back for wide shots. Sony DCR-TRV340 has 25x optical zoom and is more expensive. That is the main difference between them.

Unlike the DCR-TRV250, the DCR-TRV350 includes Memory Stick slot. So you can shoot 640 x 480 pics, save them to the Memory Stick (8 Mb), and transfer them to your USB-capable PC.

MPEG Movie EX Mode allows to capture up to 60 seconds of MPEG video and store it to Memory Stick Media. Or, convert up to 60 seconds of digital video to an MPEG Movie for e-mailing. MPEG movie can be captured onto Memory Stick.

With the USB Streaming function you can stream live and recorded moving images to PC via USB port. Stream and share content by broadcasting live video and audio, via the Internet with the USB interface. [320 x 240 up to 30 frames/sec].

Manual focus allows the user to adjust the camcorders focus, allowing more control in difficult situations.

Auto Exposure modes make all necessary settings to shutter speed, aperture and focus for a variety of indoor and outdoor situations. You can choose from Portrait, Sports, Spotlight, Beach and Ski, Landscape, Sunset and Moon modes.

Super Night Shot lets you record video when shooting in total darkness 0 lux using the camcorder's infrared system up to 10 feet away. Color Mode system allows you to record in low light by slowing down the shutter speed. (With the optional HVL-IRM Night Shot light, you can extend the range of the Nightshot system from 10 feet to 100 feet.)

Also there is built-in Light (3 Watt) for shooting in low light situations.

The camcorder analog inputs feature a built-in Analog to Digital converter that will convert your analog video/audio to a digital signal that can either be recorded to tape or passed-through the i.Link interface to a compatible computer.

Sony DCR-TRV350 features two recording modes: 12 and 16-bit audio. 12-bit creates two sets of stereo tracks, and 16-bit mode offers one pair of stereo tracks.

Conclusion

If you don't have enough money for mega-pixel or 3CCD camera, Sony DCR-TRV350 no doubt is a good choice.

Look at the store. Price: $499.99.

March 9, 2003