Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: After graduating from the Sony FX11 8M (top of the line in it's time)to the TRV310 the only real noticible difference was the picture sharpness, color left a little to be desired. What really upset me was the grain i was getting in different lighting situations. My old Sony 8M w/1 lux was superior in this respect. Not pleased at all I took it back and purchased the TRV87 Hi8 which replaces the famed TRV66..Same camera except the TRV87 plays Standard 8M tapes as well as Hi8. In comparison to the digital8 310 model, the picture clarity/sound were the same, the Hi8 had truer color reproduction, longer battery life, longer recording times and is superior in filming in low light conditions with it's 0.7 Minimum lux compared to the 4.0 minimum lux of the Digital8 cameras. Forget the Nightshot feature on both cameras, horrible. So,in my opinion the Sony TRV87 Hi8, you get an overall superior camera with a proven track record. The Digital 8 models definately needs improving to exceed the Hi8 in overall performance to warrant their higher price. BTW, I just love the TRV87, an awesome camera in every respect.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent product. Best with Sony VAIO computer series.
Review: As a camcorder it lives up to all the expectations of an average buyer. But I found it really excel when I connected it to my Sony VAIO computer through the i-Link (IEEE-1394 / FireWire) port. With the DVGate Motion software supplied with the computer, capturing digital video with precision becomes child play. I can edit these videos with Adobe Premiere LE and upload the video back to the camcorder and transfer it to VHS tape through a VCR. What makes this process incredibly easy is the controlling capability built into the camcorder. You connect it to the PC and forget it. You can then Rewind, Cue, mark In and Out points and initiate a perfect video capture all from the computer with just mouse clicks! I was transformed from a video novice to an expert in just a week! Check out this combination.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Camera
Review: As this was my first cam-corder, I did a lot of research before purchasing this camera. The picture quality is amazing. Have taken a lot of video from a moving semi-truck and the steady cam worked great. I also purchased the A-V cordless receiver so all you do is point the camera at the TV and playback, works nicely. I have the Sony 35" Triniton TV connected to my audio system and playback is wonderful. Coupled with the Snappy, a video digitizer, its easy to capture snapshots from the video and e-mail or post pictures on the web. Very pleased with this camera and would buy it again.
Rating:
Summary: Biggest Bang for the Buck
Review: Before purchasing this, my first camcorder, I did alot of pricing and feature comparison. I came down to this one because it offered me what I needed the most for the least amount of money and with quality assurance. I won't lie, I like Sony products and find them to be trusted. The feature I liked about this camera was its ability to work very nicely with my PC. The quality editing I have done as an amateur, I have been very impressed with. User friendliness is a plus. The only complaint is the design. I would move the menu wheel to a more prominent position for ease of accessibility during operation and I would definitely move the record/standby button or the handle hook, one or another, so they don't interfere with each other. Those I can work around..for the price of dependability and end product quality.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worth for the money...
Review: Bought and quickly returned the product within 10 days. Bought this item primarily to get a better picture quality than my old VHSC. Under optimal light conditions, worked just great. Under too much of Sun, the colors are not at all true and the picture appears too garish. On the other hand, under low light condition, the picture is very grainy. Even under a 300W halogen lamp, the picture quality is very poor. So, you can very well forget about shooting under, say, fluorecent light. This is because, unlike most of the VHSC or Hi8 camcorders, this camcorder requires a minimum of 4 lux of light for normal filming. Unless you are ready to invest on extra light, this product is just not worth. For those who have extra light (which can cost you a lot), this camcorder generates just fabulous picture quality.Another major disadvantage is lack of vendor choice. There are about 56 major companies that make mini DV camcorders. While only Sony makes digital8. So, if you buy digital8, you are stuck with Sony for ever as no other camcorder can play you cassettes back. While mini DV is industry standard, digital8 is Sony's proprietery. Another aspect that is really bad is the battery life. It really sucks. One thing that is great about this product is it's sound quality. Almost like CD.
Rating:
Summary: Forget the other cameras. This is the best one... by far
Review: Forget the other cameras. TRV-310 and the TRV-510 are the best ones for today... by far. Don't loose your time looking for other options because no other portable camcorder (in this category) can provide the features and the quality of these cameras. I've played with my TRV-310 for about 10 days and I am really impressive with this camera. This is my fifth camcorder (all 8MM and HI-8) that I have used and this the best camera that I have seen. Some comments... The LCD screen on the 310 is amazing. Certainly the best LCD that I have seen in my life. It is clear, bright, sharp and big... 3.5 inches. The color is truer. It is a real pleasure to play my videotapes in any place with no connection with TVs. This is one of the most important features of this camera and you have to consider that in your analysis. You will use it a lot. The 20X optical zoom is enough and works fine (much better than my old hi-8 camera). The PAUSEs are terrific. It is impossible to avoid the PAUSE key. Try to press the SLOW key and you will get a limpid and crystalline image. I have lots of videos recorded on 8 and hi-8 format. The 310 is capable to play black perfectly any videotape on these formats. This camera is the right choice for everyone that have 8 and hi-8 tapes. Don't loose your time thinking to buy a mini-DV camcorder, you will have much more flexibility using the digital camera that supports your old tapes, with the same quality and flexibility. By the way, the hi-8 tapes are cheaper than the mini-DV tapes. I didn't see notable difference between the regular video and S video hookups to my TV. The included battery in not sufficient and an additional battery is very important. The infrared nightshot works very fine (do you think that is it really important ? ). The 16:9 aspect ratio feature is wonderful At the beginning you don't give so much attention on that, but when you start to use you will love this alternative. If you have a 16:9 aspect ratio television this feature will be fantastic for you. If you are considering to buy this kind of TV (to see your DVDs) this can be a considerable feature to consider. One of the big things and rarely I see comments is the SOUND. The PCM System is fantastic. I connect the camcorder to my receiver system and I was surprised with the quality, clear and powerful sound. There is a huge difference between this PCM AUDIO SYSTEM and the audio system in my old hi-8 camera. Normally, when we study to buy a camcorder we don't invest so much time analyzing the audio, we keep focus on the video system and don't give importance to the audio. I am sure that the AUDIO SYSTEM of this digital camera will surprise you positively. You will feel the big difference if you connect the camera to a pro-logic Dolby surround sound receiver or a digital receiver. If you have a home theater system with Adobe Digital 5:1... THE BAD THING: The missing feature on the 310 is audio dubbing. For this kind of camera this feature will be important and convenient. I would like to record narration or add a sound track on the camera after I've recorded the video. Based on the manual I can do this editing the video on my PC, but until now I didn't try it. So, I really don't know if it will work well... GRAINY VIDEO: I read some comments about to make sure you have plenty of light to avoid a slightly grainy on the video. This is true but not at all. The illumination is not a bid deal... Don't make your decision using this comment as important ! In most of the 95% of the time you will be recording with enough light to make a brilliant and wonderful video.... So, the other 5% of the time you can face poor light and you will have a little bit grainy in your video... And so what ? The important here is that other cameras have the same problem, so it is not a decisive factor for buyers... Don't waste time with these comments... Finally... I made a very deep analysis comparing the TRV-510 and TRV-310, the 310 is probably the good choice because it has the most advanced features with less cost.Repeating a comment that I saw below... The 310 is LIGHT YEARS beyond the other ones...
Rating:
Summary: Quality Product, Easy to Use, No Positive Off Indication,
Review: Gives excellent digital pictures and 7 second still shots. Light weight with easy hand control. The only draw back is the ON/OFF record button has a delay action when turning off. If not visually identified to be in standby it may still be filming. Other wise for the money it's a quality machine.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Product, Great Clarity, Colour & Ease of Use
Review: Have used this product for everything from vacations to weddings. The result has been incredible. The drawbacks to be noted are; if using the photo mode while videotaping the camera goes into standby after the 7 seconds of 'photo capture' instead of back into record mode; video cassettes allow for only 1 hr of taping per tape in Hi8, big drawback. On the up side ... great fades,also,there's an easy to use dial to increase & decrease light into the video (on the fly), making low light situations easy to video with great quality.In addition, I've purchased the zoom mic and found the sound to be quite good.
Rating:
Summary: Great resolution, good color, easy to use pro unit
Review: I am a video professional, doing major sporting events, weddings, and stage performances. This camcorder works beautifully in all venues. I often run it in manual exposure mode to control harsh lighting conditions, with beautifully exposed stills and video. I use manual focus for creating front-to-back focusing effects. The focusing ring provides good feel, although not directly coupled. The best part: I can control my camera from my Sony computer, downloading stills and video segments for computer editing through a "firewire" port on the camcorder. I professionally edit the video segments in the computer, then copy the finished video back to the camcorder, WITH NO LOSS IN RESOLUTION! I was so happy with this unit, I bought a second one!
Rating:
Summary: SONY's Digital 8 is great!
Review: I bought SONY's similar top of the line model TRV 510 shortly after becoming a new dad, this after much debate between the 310 and 510. I decided that the 510's features and extras were worth the added expense. Overall this camcorder does a very decent job of making digital home videos and digital stills, but make sure you have plenty of light, otherwise the results will be slightly grainy. Didn't notice the difference between the regular video and S Video hookups to my TV, SONY should have also included a titling function, the included battery is not sufficient for heavy taping and use, need to get the optional battery, at least 4 hrs, use the original for back-up. Still satisfed with my decision to get the TRV 510, but the TRV 310 would probably be a good choice too and also at less cost.
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