Sony DCR-TRV280 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom | List Price: $563.76
Discount Price: $535.00
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Brand: Sony
Binding: Electronics
Features: - 1/6-inch CCD imager with 290K effective pixels
- Digital8 format records digital audio and video comparable to MiniDV on affordable Hi8 tapes
- 20x optical zoom with SteadyShot picture-stabilization system
- 2.5-inch SwivelScreen LCD
- NightShot Plus Infrared System captures natural-looking video in low light
not that good [Posted on 2007-12-11]
This camcorder it's not bad, it came on time. but if you want to playback Hi8 tapes you better get another one cause this one won't play them, it only plays Digital8 tapes.
Sony DCR-TRV280 camcorder cannot play 8mm video cassettes [Posted on 2008-01-21]
We purchased a Sony DCR-TRV280 camcorder in hopes of playing our old 8mm videocassettes and capturing them on our computer via its firewire connection. The tapes load into the 280 just fine. It does have firewire output. Unfortunately, it cannot play the original 8mm format. Sony's names for its various 8mm videocassette formats escape me. Perhaps the original 8mm format did not have a name. Anyway, the original is what we have and the 280 cannot play it. So, we're trading in our 280 for a Sony DCR-TRV-460 or -480.
Digital 8 is still best for money [Posted on 2008-04-21]
Picture quality is great! It downloads easily to computer. It may take longer than the newer digital memory recorders but you can still get this for a great price and in many cases the picture is better than the new hard drive models.
Mediocre - Average - Just OK (Picture very grainy in low light) [Posted on 2008-06-17]
I'm not sure why the ratings are so high on this camera [...]. Perhaps because the camera is pretty ok, for home-use only outdoors. I am on this site searching for a new camera because I produce online television shows, as a hobby. My budget is low, so I need an affordable camera (under $500), with professional-quality video. If such a thing exists. The Sony DCR-TRV280 IS NOT IT!
I've tried all sorts of tricks and can't get rid of the grainy (webcam) quality, nor the poor color in normal indoor lighting situations. The sound is just ok. For me, there is NOTHING spectacular about this camera, especially if you want to use it for more than just webcam or basic home video purposes.
Once unplugged, the battery life is short (2 hours, tops!) for the battery that comes with the camera. I suppose this could be addressed by purchasing a larger battery.
I am of normal female strength. After a while, my hands and arms are shaking from holding the camera. Something lighter is ideal, otherwise dont forget the tripod.
I do like the connections on this camera, except no jacks for headphones or mic. And no accessory jack either. The light is cute as an extra, but not very powerful. Wish it had more connections and features.
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Great Bargain Cheap Tapes [Posted on 2008-07-27]
This camera is a great bargain and so versatile.
The optical zoom is incredible. I was able to film a drowning swimmer being rescued down on the beach from my 12th floor apartment!
Not only is this an excellent camcorder, it also makes a great webcam when connected to your computer with a Firewire cable
The USB streaming is useless: for some reason it won't let you record the audio track over USB even though it installs an audio driver when you plug it in, and the camera will go into standby while it's in use if you're not recording or playing the tape, so I recommend sticking with Firewire.
Note that if you buy this camera, keep the application CD that comes with it in a safe place. Sony does not offer drivers for download for this camera and when you call tech support to request them, their customer care doesn't know where to get them either. I was only able to find them by scouring random seedy websites.
One of the best features of this camera is that it records digitally on standard Hi-8 video tapes, which saves you a lot of money over the more expensive digital tapes. This is the only video camera in the world that does that.
Another great feature of this camera is its onboard stereo microphone. You can use this camera as a digital sound recorder by recording the sound and then dumping the video to your computer and extracting the audio track over Firewire.
I've had two of these cameras and I will buy another if something happens to the one I currently have.
Click here for more details and discount information...
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