Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed with this Sony
Review: I had high expectations for this camcorder,but they were dashed with poor indoor nightime recording with ample lighting. My previous cheap Sharp model aced indoor shots at night. The Sony has to be "tweaked" for every nightime indoor video. I just want to "auto" record sometime. The light is also useless. No hot shoe either. Also.it won't play back all of my older 8mm tapes. It seems to be unforgiving if they were recorded on a non-sony model or a model with dirty heads(the Sharp could though). I think it's a good camcorder if you don't expect too much from it.
Rating: 
Summary: Sony DCR-TRV350 vs Canon ZR-50MC
Review: I just sent back my Canon ZR50 for poor indoor video quality and high motor noise(which can be reduced by applying filters in CoolEdit, which is too time consuming). I replaced it with the Sony DCR-TRV350 and so far it has been performing fairly well. Overall it has comparative specs including almost the same optical zoom level, and the A/D conversion feature (really nice if you want to capture video to a PC from an old camcorder or VCR). On the plus side, it has good indoor video quality including low light situations and very low motor noise compared to the Canon ZR50. On the downside, it is a little more bulky (uses 8mm tapes instead of mini-DV), and has a black and white eyepiece viewfinder. Overall I would recommend this camcorder over the Canon ZR50.
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of money
Review: I purchased this camera upon the recommendation of a salesman at Circuit City. The next day we left on a family vacation "trip of a lifetime." This camera was terrible! It NEVER got the lighting correct. All of our faces are washed out. We all extensively read the manual to try to correct it and there was nothing we could do. Also it seems if you go from outside into air condition you need to do this an hour in advance because this camera has a feature that won't let you video tape if the temperature change is significant. In other words - if it's summertime - forget about using the camera. You'll have to wait for it to "dry out" in the a/c. Sony seems to be more interested in all kinds of "wiz bang" editing features than a quality picture. Thanks to Sony our "trip of a lifetime" will not be "picture perfect." I took the camera back and upgraded to an Hitachi and have been extremely pleased. This was after looking at every other camera they had, including the higher priced Sonys. Every Sony has a problem adjusting the lighting. While I was picking out another camera, another customer told me a cameraman from a local TV station told her to NEVER buy a Sony camera because they are not good quality (that's not the exact words used, but I don't want this to be edited). Don't buy this camera or any other Sony. I would also recommend not purchasing a camera immediately before a trip. Buy it in advance so you can test it out and get used to the equipment. Buy an Hitachi - you'll be much happier.
Rating:
Summary: Liked it but the motor noise was too loud
Review: I wanted a camcorder to replace my old Sony Hi8 TR81 which I loved. Stuck with Digital8 for compatibility. The TRV350 has a lot of great features for the price but I thought the motor noise was too loud. The TR81 didn't make much noise at all. When viewing tapes you can hear the motor. Just didn't think it was acceptable so I returned it. Went to the JVC GRD70 and MiniDV. Returned as well. Read review.
Rating: 
Summary: I Love My TRV350
Review: I wanted to make movies and I had heard that using my mac, this was possible. I didn't want to dither over what camera to use, so I called my sister and she suggested this model. She teaches photography and video production to adults and she's used just about every camera known to man. She said that the JVC was cheaper, but wasn't as steady as the TRV350. I said, "OK", went to Amazon and put my money down. Two days later, it was resting on my doorstep when I came home from work. I have had a blast making movies of all sorts. It's true that you have to buy a firewire cord, but it doesn't have to be a "Sony" firewire cord, just firewire! As a Mac user, the hookup to imovie is seamless. Just plug it in and away you go!!! The camera came with a one-hour battery which was fine for awhile, but then I went on Ebay and bought a huge battery for a fine price. Imagine my happiness when my sister gave me a memory stick for Christmas... I was in hog heaven. Now I don't have to carry my digital camera around or take "freeze frames" from my movies. I give the TRV 350 my unconditional love and approval. If it doesn't do what you want it to, then you probably haven't read the mannual. Hey, I don't blame you, it's massive! I read it when I have a question or just get to wondering, "I wonder if I can do that?" I've run about 25 cassettes through the camera and am still finding ways to use it in my work (I'm a speech therapist). Well, that's my two cents worth! If you buy one, I hope you enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: I Love My TRV350
Review: I wanted to make movies and I had heard that using my mac, this was possible. I didn't want to dither over what camera to use, so I called my sister and she suggested this model. She teaches photography and video production to adults and she's used just about every camera known to man. She said that the JVC was cheaper, but wasn't as steady as the TRV350. I said, "OK", went to Amazon and put my money down. Two days later, it was resting on my doorstep when I came home from work. I have had a blast making movies of all sorts. It's true that you have to buy a firewire cord, but it doesn't have to be a "Sony" firewire cord, just firewire! As a Mac user, the hookup to imovie is seamless. Just plug it in and away you go!!! The camera came with a one-hour battery which was fine for awhile, but then I went on Ebay and bought a huge battery for a fine price. Imagine my happiness when my sister gave me a memory stick for Christmas... I was in hog heaven. Now I don't have to carry my digital camera around or take "freeze frames" from my movies. I give the TRV 350 my unconditional love and approval. If it doesn't do what you want it to, then you probably haven't read the mannual. Hey, I don't blame you, it's massive! I read it when I have a question or just get to wondering, "I wonder if I can do that?" I've run about 25 cassettes through the camera and am still finding ways to use it in my work (I'm a speech therapist). Well, that's my two cents worth! If you buy one, I hope you enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: Great Value
Review: I was looking for a Camcorder which is compatable to a Mac OS environment. I have been very pleased with my Sony Cybershot and was happy to find that the DCRTRV350 is mac usb & firewire compatable. Out of the box this camcorder is easy to use, and the menu and selection of various features is simple to find and access. Picture quality is great. FOR THOSE UNHAPPY WITH THE AUDIO OUTPUT one simply has to select from the factory setting of 14bit to 16 bit stero, and the output is great. You can always tell the reviewers which don't open the manual past the quick start options.....I especially like the fade-in options, intervial recording (time lapse), remote playback, and the "end search" functions. Once again I have found that Sony combines good hardware AND superior software/options functions which make other brands PALE in comparison. In general I am VERY IMPRESSED with this Sony product.
Rating:
Summary: Sony Camcorder
Review: I would like to start of by stating its great film quality. Also with its perfect resolution and zooming, it makes this a bullzie for sony. On top of its great control, it has simple and easy to use and fun features. I was very suprisied when my parents bought this also and learned how to use this withen two days [a new world record ;)]THese features include fade, freeze frame (great for an intro) and many others. While the playback on the camera is OK, the sound isnt very good, but then again, you werent ment to watch the movie on the camera, watching it on the TV is what your supposed to do. Which brings me to uploading, The loading it onto the computer takes a longggggggggg time using a USB cable, but using the FireWire(which i am disappointed to say does not come with the package but is supplied at a low price on Ebay) takes a matter of a few minutes. Watching it on the TV is what it all comes down to, because, thats just what you want. To watch your Steven Speilberg movie on the big screen ;). Anyways...My friends and i have a blast fooling around with the features while making suprisingly excellent movies.
Overall: 4.5 STARS Great product
Rating:
Summary: Sony Camcorder
Review: I would like to start of by stating its great film quality. Also with its perfect resolution and zooming, it makes this a bullzie for sony. On top of its great control, it has simple and easy to use and fun features. I was very suprisied when my parents bought this also and learned how to use this withen two days [a new world record ;)]THese features include fade, freeze frame (great for an intro) and many others. While the playback on the camera is OK, the sound isnt very good, but then again, you werent ment to watch the movie on the camera, watching it on the TV is what your supposed to do. Which brings me to uploading, The loading it onto the computer takes a longggggggggg time using a USB cable, but using the FireWire(which i am disappointed to say does not come with the package but is supplied at a low price on Ebay) takes a matter of a few minutes. Watching it on the TV is what it all comes down to, because, thats just what you want. To watch your Steven Speilberg movie on the big screen ;). Anyways...My friends and i have a blast fooling around with the features while making suprisingly excellent movies.
Overall: 4.5 STARS Great product
Rating:
Summary: Would be fine...
Review: If it didn't shock me every minute or so. I often enjoy videotaping family events, like birthdays and christmas, but my videos are often flawed dued to quick jerks of the camera. This is mostly because of the electrical shocks I receive when I press the backward zoom button. I believe this must be a mechanical failure, or perhaps has something to do with the radio tower two blocks from my house...either way, if you can endure the shocks, this camera is excellent.
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