Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode Review

Sony DCR-TRV730 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode Feature

• Digital8 camcorder
• 18x optical, 500x digital zoom with digital image stabilization
• 2.5-inch color LCD monitor and monochrome EVF
• Records 1152 x 864 digital stills onto included 4 MB Memory Stick media
• Uses an included InfoLithium battery; also includes AC adapter, remote control, A/V cable, USB cable, CD-ROM software

The Sony DCR-TRV730 is a full-featured Digital8 camcorder. Digital8 utilizes the digital video format, but records onto Hi8 tapes, and can play your old Hi8 and 8mm movies. The 18x optical (400x digital) zoom is combined with image stabilization, a boon since high zooms can lead to increased shakiness. Additionally, the DCR-TRV730 has a low-light shooting mode that allows for visibility in near darkness. An assortment of special effects and faders help give your footage a more professional feel. Also, a 16:9 widescreen-shooting mode lets you shoot movies in the same aspect ratio as Hollywood films.

The black-and-white EVF is adequate, but the large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor is the better bet for framing your shots. MPEG movies and digital stills can be recorded onto the accompanying 4 MB Memory Stick, which can then be downloaded to your computer via USB. Like all DV camcorders, the audio is recorded at CD quality levels--PCM digital stereo. Should you need more professional sound than the built-in mic provides, a mic input jack is located on the camcorder.

Because the DCR-TRV730 uses the DV format, you can download your footage to a computer for editing using an IEEE 1394 cable. Analog pass-through ports are built-in, letting you digitally archive all your old analog footage. Also included are a shoulder strap, lens cap, battery, AC adapter, and remote control. Digital 8 system offers high quality digital images with over 500 lines of horizontal resolution and records 12 bit / 16 bit PCM digital audio. The Digital 8 Handycam is the only kind of Digital Handycam that can play back Video 8 and Hi8 analog video. Besides, the new recording pattern allows digital recording on 8mm tape, enabling users to keep their collection of analog recordings. With the A/D conversion function, it is possible to transfer analog recordings to digital format.The new models offer excellent capabilities for capturing digital images. Incorporated with Advanced Hole Accumulation Diode ?" 1.07 Mega-pixel CCD, the Digital 8 model DCR-TRV730 can deliver best-in-class digital video. Users can create short movie clips of MPEG1 up to 85 minutes and 20 seconds with an optional 128MB Memory Stick thanks to the newly added MPEG Movie Recording Mode. The digital image editing and transmission functions of the Digital 8 series are enhanced. The Digital Program Editing function lets users choose up to 20 image groups for the highly accurate synchronized editing procedure by an i.LINK DV in/Out Terminal (IEEE1394) or an infrared remote control. With the USB terminal, digital images can be transmitted directly from Memory Stick to PC at high speed. In addition, the i.LINK allows easy, speedy digital data transmission between Digital 8 Handycam, VCR and PC.The new model is equipped with an Intelligent Accessory Shoe, which allows users to use the innovative Shoe Attachable Portable Printer (PVP-MSH) to print images right after shooting or memory mixed pictures from memory mode with recording date marked, without any complicated connection or additional battery. And with the DCR-TRV730, you can enjoy Sony's entire line of Digital8 performance features like SteadyShot Picture Stabilization, Super NightShot 0 Lux infrared recording and 3 memory mix modes.