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Sony DCRTRV38 MiniDV 1Megapixel Camcorder with 3.5" LCD

Sony DCRTRV38 MiniDV 1Megapixel Camcorder with 3.5 LCD

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Brand: Sony
Category: Photography

List Price: $999.99
Buy Used: $285.00
You Save: $714.99 (71%)



Used (4) from $285.00

Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 18 reviews
Sales Rank: 36615

Media: Electronics
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 3.5
Maximum Focal Length: 37
Minimum Focal Length: 3.7
Shipping Weight (lbs): 8
Dimensions (in): 6.3 x 2.8 x 3.6
Warranty: 1 year warranty

MPN: DCRTRV38
Model: TRV38
UPC: 027242622098
EAN: 0027242622098
ASIN: B000087BXC

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:
  • Compact MiniDV digital camcorder with 1-megapixel imaging
  • 10x optical, 120x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
  • Large 3.5-inch touch-panel color SwivelScreen LCD display for easy access to the entire camcorder menu
  • Includes 8 MB Memory Stick for still image and MPEG1 capture
  • NightShot O Lux infrared system with color mode for recording in total darkness

Accessories:

  • Corel VideoStudio Pro X2
  • Adobe Premiere Elements 7
  • Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack
  • Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9
  • Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Product Description
Despite having a smaller and lighter design than previous models, the Sony DCR-TRV38 loses nothing in optical and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 16:9 widescreen mode, a 3.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder. It also functions as a digital still camera with 1-megapixel resolution and stores images on the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

Step-up Value
Here are two Sony features that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiate it from other models in the Sony lineup.

product image 1.0 Megapixel Sensor: Of all the world's consumer camcorders, Sony was the first to break the megapixel barrier. Working with high-resolution recording and high-precision Sony custom optics, the benefits are dramatic. You'll see amazing detail on everything you shoot. Every blade of grass. Every strand of hair. The names on the back of player uniforms. And megapixel resolution is also a great benefit in Sony's Digital still camera function (Memory Mode). You'll be able to shoot images at 1152 x 864 pixels, for prints up to 4 x 6 inches.
product image Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices. Digital still images can be captured while in Memory Mode, or images from the videotape can be captured onto Memory Stick media. This feature provides the Dual Function of having one camera for video and still images, and provides the user with a whole new world of imaging possibilities.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The advanced HAD CCD sensor records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV38 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV38 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

You can take digital stills and record small MPEG EX movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick. This is where the 1-megapixel resolution CCD shines, by creating sharp images at 1,152 by 864 pixels that are perfect for e-mail or posting to the Web.

The TRV38 features a huge 3.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. A stylus is also included for ease of use. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV38 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV38 camcorder, power adaptor and in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, stylus, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, and USB drivers.

Product Description
Sony's DCR-TRV38 MiniDV Handycam camcorder has a 1 Megapixel CCD and features an eye-catching 3.5" LCD screen. Higher 14-bit DXP captures more dynamic range between light and dark areas providing smoother gradations without losing detail. This model also includes the new 16: 9 mode that covers a wider area with better picture quality, MPEG Movie EX for longer recording time, MPEGs and Super NightShot 0 Lux with Color Slow Shutter for recording in color at night. Plus, USB streaming makes it possible to use your camcorder to stream live or recorded content to a PC. It also features convenient Touch Panel operation making it even easier to operate and learn. Convenient little package... brilliant results!


Customer Reviews:   Read 13 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars Great camera for great price   February 27, 2008
The picture quality on the Sony DCRTRV38 is the best out of any of the 10 comparable cameras we tested... We bought one of them several years ago, and like it enough to buy a second. It's ability to capture sound is also superior to any other camera in its class (we film a lot of live theatre, and we have perfect sound even from the last row in a non-mic'd show). The only cons are that we've had to have 2 repairs over the last 5 years, and the bottom-loading is inconvenient when using a tripod.


1 out of 5 stars Great camera for 2 1/2 years   October 28, 2006
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I, too, am very, very disappointed in my Sony experience. I have always treated my cameras with care and respect. (I still use my 30 year old Canon A-1.)
My DCR TRV38 was excellent until 2 months ago (and 7 months out of the 2 year warranty that I purchased...). I now cannot view anything recorded. I get a blue screen with icons. It acts like it is recording, and maybe it is, but I cannot view anything in playback. A Sony tech told me that this is different that the class action/ recall that Sony is offering on these units. But c'mon! 2 years on a $700 camera is just horrible.
I also own a Sony W-1 digital camera. Lens mechanism stuck at 1+ years. Lots and lots of others reporting the same problem. Still under warranty, thank goodness, but I cannot trust it for a photo shoot, so I bought a Canon A540.
My daughter owns a Sony P-41, not even 2 years. Guess what? Bad LCD once again. She cannot view or play back at all.
I love digital photography, but to have a thousand dollars worth of equipment fail in four months is a crime. When I would read the postings and ranting of others, I never thought I would be one to have problems. I just thought that those with problems complain alot. But it's WAY too many, on every message board, everywhere. I am so sad and I feel like the victim of a crime.
SO DON"T BUY ANY MORE SONY PRODUCTS!!!



1 out of 5 stars Stopped working after third tape!   August 6, 2006
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Was very pleased with the Sony TRV 38 until I got to about the middle of the 3rd tape. I had not used it in over 6 months and the next time I went to use it the recording screen and viewfinder was dark with a few gray streaks in it. It seems to play back o.k. On researching this problem I was staggered to find so many similar complaints. This is my first Sony (and it will be the last) I had a Panasonic for 8 years before this and it is still working. I have never abused this camera, never been to a beach with it, never used it in the rain etc. In fact it still looks like brand new!


4 out of 5 stars Blank LCD Screen and Viewfinder   November 8, 2005
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I, too, experienced the dreaded blank screen on my TRV38 after only a year and a half of moderate use. I did some internet searching on the issue and discovered a site that mentioned Sony has acknowledged problems with the CCD chip in certain models built before 2004, the TRV38 being one of them and are offering to fix them for free, including shipping to and from a location of your choice. I then went made use of their excellent sony.com online chat support service and asked the moderator about the free repair deal. After a few troubleshooting questions, he acknowleded I appeared to qualify for the free repair service and provided me with the following site, http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=DCRTRV38&news_id=95. They appear to be making good on a known defect in their product and are to be commmended. Now, if only the local service centers would inform customers of this deal when they bring their cameras in for repair of this malady...naw, that's asking waaaaay too much!! By the way, aside from this problem, we've been very happy with this camera and actually bought a second one as a back up in case we had problems with the first one. With 2 kids, ages 2 1/2 and 4, to record precious moments of, it sure paid off in this case.


5 out of 5 stars Sony will repair FOR FREE   October 28, 2005
Same problem has been occurring with ALL Sony camcorders TRV19 through to TRV38.

Sony will repair the problem free of charge.....

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowArticle.action?section=en_GB_Support&articlesection=3&article=1128075116465&site=odw_en_GB



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