Sony Handycam DCR - TRV740

Sony Handycam DCR TRV740

Features
• Records on Hi-8 Tape, not Mini DV-Tape
• Records in Digital format – (Digital8)
• A 120 minute Hi-8 tape will record 60 minutes of digital video. The higher requirements of digital video are laid down on the Hi-8 tape at twice the speed of analog video.
• The TRV-740 produces great looking digital video.
• It is backward compatible with older analog 8mm video. You can copy your older analog tape to computer for editing. Can then output the resulting edited video back to the TRV-740 in the digital format.
• Has “Pass Thru” capability. You can hook up other video sources, VCR’s, TV’s or other cameras, to pass their video signal through the TRV-740 to a computer for editing. The analog signal is converted to digital as it is passed through to the computer.
• The TRV-740 can take digital still photos. These pictures are stored on a Memory Stick. The pictures are good, not great. If you are looking for great digital stills – get a (now) inexpensive digital camera. Consider the still capability as a small perk for occasional casual shots. I know I have printed up OK 4x6 inch photos taken with my TRV-740. The shots from my Canon Powershot G6 are fabulous up to about 11x14 inches.
• Still photos are downloaded via the USB cable.
• Video is downloaded via the IEEE 1394/Firewire to your computer.
• The TRV-740 has the “NightShot” AND “Super NightShot” modes. NightShot can record clear video in low light – the video is in that green tinged CNN-looking video – kind of cool. The Super NightShot can record in no light situations by illuminating with a built in infrared light. The resulting video is very choppy and cannot show much motion – acts as a very slow speed camera. This mode sounds interesting, but is practically unusable.
• The digital video tape is inserted at the bottom of the unit. You cannot change tapes while the camera is on a tripod – got to take it off. Kind of a hassle.
• Comes with a remote. Some features are only accessible via the remote – so don’t lose it!
• The included battery (NP-FM50) lasts about a n hour of use (mileage may vary a lot depending on features used). There are other third party batteries available that last much longer. Be sure to have a second battery.



I have had my TRV-740 for about two years and really enjoy it. It has been on several backpacking trips and is sufficiently rugged for normal outdoor activities. The plastic case is a little beat up but the innards are still producing great video. Some reviewers say the camera is a little large, but I prefer this style of camcorder compared to those tiny video cameras that are so small they are hard to hold steady and finding button – forget it!

The downside is the D8 digital format. It would seem that this is a format that is going away. However, the tape will be available for many years and you can’t beat this if you have a collection of older analog 8mm video tapes. These tapes are playable on the TRV-740. I am in the process of converting my 20 years of old tape to DVD using the TRV-740 connected to my computer. Works great.

If I didn’t have a bunch of old video tapes I would look at the Mini DV format – the most popular format. Stay clear of the DVD writing camcorder if you plan to edit your video. If you have the older analog 8mm tapes - look at this unit for great compatibility.