Sony DCRTRV340 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.5" LCD USB Streaming, & Memory Stick capability
The DCR-TRV340 makes it even easier to share your still images and videos with friends and family. Not only does this Digital8 Handycam Camcorder take exceptional-quality digital video, it also gives you the ability to take great digital still photos that you can quickly and easily transfer to your computer using the supplied Memory Stick Media or the built-in USB connection. The USB Image Capture Function lets you stream live and recorded images to your PC and send them through e-mail.
The Digital8 line was conceived to provide a path to digital for current owners of 8mm or Hi8 camcorders. The DCR-TRV340 succeeds in that regard, playing back both 8mm and Hi8 tapes. Plus, you can use the camcorder as a digital still camera, recording 640 x 480 stills onto the included 8 MB Memory Stick. Sony put in a 25x optical zoom and paired it with Super SteadyShot image stabilization. Image stabilization is a handy technology that helps to eliminate the shakiness associated with high zoom levels. The only way to avoid shakiness completely is to utilize a tripod, table, or other stable surface. The 2.5-inch LCD is the best way to frame your shots, although you can use the black-and-white EVF to preserve battery life. In addition to the normal slew of ports (IEEE 1394, S-Video, mini AV) that have made their way onto the TRV340, there's also a USB port, which, with some included software, offers some interesting functions. Specifically, it allows you to use the camcorder to capture stills, or "broadcast live video with audio," according to Sony, which seems to indicate you can use the TRV340 as a Webcam. There is also one very important port on the TRV340: a mic input. Not only do most camcorders have poor built-in microphones, but they are often situated too near the tape mechanism, meaning you get the annoying throbbing sound of the tape pulled through the heads. The DCR-TRV340 comes with a power adapter, InfoLithium battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, remote control, two AA batteries, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, and software CD-ROM.
Sony DCRTRV340 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.5" LCD USB Streaming, & Memory Stick capability Accessories
Sony DCRTRV340 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.5" LCD USB Streaming, & Memory Stick capability Reviews
One drawback the Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder has is that the memory stick can only do a video of up to one minute and you can put that file on your computer using the AV cable but if you do a video over a minute long you will need to use a Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable to put that video onto your computer so if you want to put your video's on your computer and the video's are over a minute long and you want to put the video's on a memory stick you will need a camcorder that allows you to put longer video's on your camcorder memory stick like a a DCR-TRV350, a DCR-TRV33,or a DCR-TRV460 does as well as some other Sony Camcorders. I like the DCR-TRV340 very much. If you are using the Yahoo.com search engine and type in ( Paso Fino Horses on the Sounding Board ) you will see a very nice video I did that was also done with my Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder. I have done several video's of auto races and if you type ( Center Street Auto Racing ) in your browser you will see the many Strictly and Super Street races that I video taped using my DCR-TRV340 camcorder. I have also used my DCR-TRV340 to video tape Horse Shows and do book promotions. This is a well built camcorder with a super lens that makes making great video's possible. My Sony DCR-TRV340 Camcorder has been very good to me and I recommend it very highly. I use my Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable to put my video clip files on my computer.
The digital still capture feature is more of a novelty (with its 640x480 max resolution), though can be convenient in certain cases. It can also pass the external video source via Firewire to your computer, and webcam function through USB, eliminating a dedicated capture card; these features are almost nonexistent in today's lower/mid-line video cameras. Video quality from the image sensor is acceptable, though it could be better (and is on the 740/840 models). Only issue was a loose board connection within my 340 which caused some of the transport functions to do one function - record; which was temporarily resolved with a smack to the camera body (until I had the time to disassemble it). The 340's method of digitally encoding 8mm tapes (Digital8) have made it inexpensive (at the time) to buy tapes compared to the MiniDV format and that a standard, basic 8mm tape can be used, contrary to the manufacturer's recommendation of Hi8 tapes. I had the DCR-TRV340 since May 2003 and it has proven to be a versatile and nearly trouble-free video camera, as it has been used for nearly every week at various events since. The 340 also makes a good video deck, as it can record video from other sources.
Believe me u will not be dissapointed if u buy this camcorder. Thist is the best camera ive ever purchased and arguably the best Digital8 Camera ever.The TRV-340 has all the features u need. And it beats a MiniDV because it has a Super Night Shot Mode and 700 Zoom wich works great, 25 Optical Zoom too.
The menu system is very easy to use but some parts of the owners manual are not really very clear and skimps a bit on detail so there are one or two features I still haven't worked out. The ergonomics of a couple of the controls could be improved. I think a two finger forward, aft operated zoom control would have been easier to use. These things I am willing to tolerate because of the excellent value for money this camera provides and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting features and quality for a reasonable price.
The zoom control could also be improved. If you want quality still pictures, the best way is to get a proper digital still camera. After reading many specs and reviews for both MiniDV and Digital 8 cameras I settled on the 340. As with any video camera the still picture quality is poor.
I have not been disappointed. This camera is feature rich and gives excellent quality video. The built in microphone sensitivity is excellent and I have not noticed any real problem with drive motor noise pick up by the mike. I have an average size hand and find my thumb needs to be almost double jointed to operate the on/off mode switch, especially to switch it on, if I want to use the camera with one hand only.
It produces great video and sound, though you can't compare it with a mega-pixel or 3CCD camera. Because of the included Firewire (IEEE 1394) port, it's a breeze to transfer video to your computer, provided it also has a Firewire port. I use a Mac so I can't comment on the quality of the included windows editing software.The battery that comes with the camera won't last very long and I highly recommend an additional battery, though they are a bit pricey. Digital quality on Digital 8 tapes is equal to that of MiniDV. I also recommend a good, sturdy tripod, and a screw-on UV filter.
So, if you've got a collection of those tapes, this is a great way to convert them into digital video.
The camera uses Sony's digital 8 format which lets the camera read older 8mm tapes.
The camera is a little larger than the MiniDV cameras, but the added weight makes it less shaky in your hand.
This filter costs very little and will protect the lens from scratches and smudges.
Another good accessory would be a boom microphone that attaches to the intelligent shoe.
This is my first digital video camera and I'm very happy with it.
They're somewhat disappointing.I highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to get into digital video or anyone with a collection of 8mm tapes that they want to preserve.
This is a great video camera for the price.After getting a chance to play around with my parent's camera, I fell in love with the TRV340.
Sound is often overlooked on camcorders and most of them have terrible onboard mics.While this camera has the ability to take digital stills and save them to a memory stick, the resolution is very low and the pictures don't look very good.
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