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Summary: Sony's DCR-TRV310 is Unbeatable!
Review: Sony has been the top in electronics for many years, and the DCR-TRV310 Digital Handycam just gives them a bigger push. The new age of digital camcorders is amazing, especially the new Digital8 technology. I didn't have an 8mm camcorder when I bought the 310, and most people think the only reason to get D8 is because of all around 8mm compatibility...not true at all! I researched for at least 2 years, from VHS, 8mm, DV, Hi8- virtually every format in the industry, until my grandfather received the DCR-TRV103. I was amazed with the digital picture, sound, PC compatibility, and overall SUPER HIGH QUALITY! The only other digital format I had looked @ was MiniDV, but in my eyes, I found it physically too small and fragile, and if some people think the MiniDV tapes are expensive, the camcorders are 10 times worse. Also, the MiniDV usually jitters much more than any other format, (even with image stablization). I started looking at Digital8 and fell in love! I never imagined a Consumer camcorder to be equipped with SO MANY features. From Steadyshot, Stamina, InfoLITHIUM, Laserlink, i.LINK, to Nightshot- there's nothing this digital wonder doesn't have (except audio dubbing, but that's what i.LINK is for!) Even if you don't have old 8mm or Hi8 analog tapes, D8 is still a heavy competition with DV. Yes, compared to MiniDV, D8 is slightly larger, (usually an inch or so in width or depth), but D8 compared to regular DV, VHS, and even VHS-C, the DCR-TRV310 is TINY enough to carry BACKPACKING, HIKING, FISHING, CAMPING, or anywhere where your isolated and need to remember it without regretting it. And the low-power consumption raises performance to a longer an better level. About tapes...the cost of high-quality analog tapes is CHEAP compared to MiniDV. HME, HMP, and standard 8mm all give convience to D8 that MiniDV just doesn't have, and with the SAME extreme high-quality. LCDs and Viewfinders...the most difficult decision to make. What size? 2.5"? 3"? 3.5"? 4"! Hard decision? Not with the DCR-TRV310, unless you don't mind paying a little bit more for awesome viewing control (it's worth it!) Viewfinders are also an issue with some people who rely on it as much as the LCD. Some find color to be much better for quality, and others Love black and white, (I do! It conserves power more than color) And if you only care about a viewfinder as an occasional backup for bright sun, low battery, or even privacy, B/W might be good. The 310's 3.5" LCD and B/W viewfinder are a perfect combo. Last, quality and reliabilty...the TRV310's amazing (Sony-built) ability to deliver EXTREMELY high-quality images, sound, and effects is not uncommon for a SONY! In fact, that's how most people see the DCR-TRV310 and Sony, as the BEST! Sony's products, especially the D8 DCR-TRV310 camcorders are the most reliable and products today! Sony's done it again with the amazing, revolutionized, SEMI-PRO DCR-TRV310...AWESOME JOB SONY!
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Summary: NOT WORTH
Review: Sony TRV 310 is not worth for 999.99. The accessories are very expensive, with out accessories you can not enjoy with this camcorder.I do not recoment this product to other people.
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Summary: B and W view finder
Review: The B&W viewfinder is better than color for manual focus and contrast. Having both in the package is a plus and not a negative.
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Summary: B and W view finder
Review: The B&W viewfinder is better than color for manual focus and contrast. Having both in the package is a plus and not a negative.
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Summary: TRV310 & Windows XP - A great combination!
Review: The Sony DCR TRV310 works _very_ well as a Windows XP camcorder. Windows XP Professional include Windows Movie Maker. This el-cheapo free-bee isn't adequate. In 2002, Microsoft released a free upgrade: Windows Movie Maker 2. Version 2 ROCKS. With a whole host of new camera effects, a zoo of fades, excellent title and credit control, and very controllable multiple audio tracks, it's possible to do quite a bit of movie editing, without paying a dime more for software. Version 2 even allows you to re-record your finished video back onto the camera! I bought my Sony DCR TRV310 used (partly broken). Since the input/output connections don't work properly, I just plug my TRV310 into the FireWire port, and use Windows Movie Maker 2's capture mode to control the camcorder -- right on the computer screen! I sent somebody some video I had shot, stored as a .WMV file on a CD-R. He sent me back a note thanking me for the DVD!!! This model is aging, and its cost is going down. Since it does everything you'll want, including playing back 8-mm and Hi8 tapes directly into Windows XP in digital format, it's still an excellent buy -- and an even better value than ever! Windows Movie Maker 2's minimum computer requirements are, CPU 1,500 Mhz (1.5 GHz), 512 K RAM, lots of disk space (20 GB+), and a FireWire port. Since Windows Movie Maker 2 uses Microsoft-specific storage formats, you may want to spend a few $$$ to purchase third-party video editing software, which will record to more formats, or give you DVD authoring capability. Suggested equipment upgrades for the TRV310: External clip-on microphone for better forward gain & extended bass sound; 8-hr InfoLithium battery HIGHLY recommended.
Rating:
Summary: TRV310 & Windows XP - A great combination!
Review: The Sony DCR TRV310 works _very_ well as a Windows XP camcorder. Windows XP Professional include Windows Movie Maker. This el-cheapo free-bee isn't adequate. In 2002, Microsoft released a free upgrade: Windows Movie Maker 2. Version 2 ROCKS. With a whole host of new camera effects, a zoo of fades, excellent title and credit control, and very controllable multiple audio tracks, it's possible to do quite a bit of movie editing, without paying a dime more for software. Version 2 even allows you to re-record your finished video back onto the camera! I bought my Sony DCR TRV310 used (partly broken). Since the input/output connections don't work properly, I just plug my TRV310 into the FireWire port, and use Windows Movie Maker 2's capture mode to control the camcorder -- right on the computer screen! I sent somebody some video I had shot, stored as a .WMV file on a CD-R. He sent me back a note thanking me for the DVD!!! This model is aging, and its cost is going down. Since it does everything you'll want, including playing back 8-mm and Hi8 tapes directly into Windows XP in digital format, it's still an excellent buy -- and an even better value than ever! Windows Movie Maker 2's minimum computer requirements are, CPU 1,500 Mhz (1.5 GHz), 512 K RAM, lots of disk space (20 GB+), and a FireWire port. Since Windows Movie Maker 2 uses Microsoft-specific storage formats, you may want to spend a few $$$ to purchase third-party video editing software, which will record to more formats, or give you DVD authoring capability. Suggested equipment upgrades for the TRV310: External clip-on microphone for better forward gain & extended bass sound; 8-hr InfoLithium battery HIGHLY recommended.
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Summary: A Great Product w/Lots of Options with a bit of an overprice
Review: The SONY TRV310 Digital Camcorder is certainly one of the finest camcorders I've gotten my hands on, or, indeed, considered getting my hands on. The video quality is excellent, and also is conviniently compatible Analog, NTSC, S-Video and Firwire. The little things are also nice touches; effects that add to the mood of your video. The recharger is also convenient; you don't need to move the battery around a lot. I haven't taken mine out in at least a year! True, it does not have the simple automatic lenscap that has been developed, but I can live with that. The viewfinder is black-and-white, but I don't care about that as I always use the large color LCD screen which is also handy when you want to playback without hooking it up to a VCR. The only downside, I found, was the price. I'm not sure that all these great qualities, while enjoyable, were quite worth the pricetag upon it, but certainly close to it! I'd reccomend this to anyone as long as they're willing to make the small sacrifice finacially. You won't regret it. I didn't.
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Summary: Sony digital Handycam
Review: This camcorder is great and has every feature you need. It is self expainatory and easy to use. The best feature is the digital camera which takes photos along with being a digital recorder. The only thing that would make it better is if it recorded onto a floppy. The color screen monitor is awesome and the microphone picks up every quite detail. It is well worth the investment and we enjoy it a lot!
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Summary: Great camcorder -- but the TRV-510 is a better choice
Review: This camcorder is highly capable. The quality of the pictures/zoom and the features are outstanding. However, instead of buying this camcorder, I purchased the similar TRV-510. The TRV-510 has a color viewfinder rather than the B&W that comes with the TRV-310. Even better, the TRV-510 comes with the ability to take digital stills and save them onto a 2MB memory chip rather than onto tape, and then to download these stills directly into your PC WITHOUT any need to buy a video capture card. The TRV-510 is a great way of getting a 640x480 digital camera and a digital camcorder in one device! The only problem, of course, is that Amazon doesn't (yet) sell the TRV-510...
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Summary: Great Start for a first video camera
Review: This is my first camcorder & I am 100% satisfied with the product. I am a loyal Sony consumer, but I looked at all the competition before deciding on this one. I choose the DCV-310 because even though I felt it was a little pricey, it had all the features I wanted plus some extra 'toys' to play with. Both myself & my wife are learning to film with this camera & find it to be very user friendly. I've experienced the same picture quality problems other users report, but I find this is due more to my lack of operational knowledge. As I learn more about filming, & using the camera features, my videos have vastly improved. I strongly feel that for the money Sony should have included a higher capacity battery. I also found that I am beginning to need some of the accessories i.e. larger batt., stand(remote), light attach., & more as my skills grow. I feel this camera will last me well until I am ready to upgrade to the next higher skill level & very much predisposes me to purchase a Sony camcorder again.
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