Sony DCRTRV340 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.5" LCD USB Streaming, & Memory Stick capability
By: Sony Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 19
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by: Anonymous On: 2003-12-02
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! Believe me u will not be dissapointed if u buy this camcorder!
 On: 2003-06-18
After reading many specs and reviews for both MiniDV and Digital 8 cameras I settled on the 340. I have not been disappointed. This camera is feature rich and gives excellent quality video. As with any video camera the still picture quality is poor. If you want quality still pictures, the best way is to get a proper digital still camera. 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 havent worked out. The built in microphone sensitivity is excellent and I have not noticed any real problem with drive motor noise pick up by the mike. The ergonomics of a couple of the controls could be improved. 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. The zoom control could also 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.
On: 2003-01-22
This is a great video camera for the price.After getting a chance to play around with my parents camera, I fell in love with the TRV340. This is my first digital video camera and Im very happy with it. It produces great video and sound, though you cant compare it with a mega-pixel or 3CCD camera. The camera uses Sonys digital 8 format which lets the camera read older 8mm tapes. Digital quality on Digital 8 tapes is equal to that of MiniDV. So, if youve got a collection of those tapes, this is a great way to convert them into digital video. The camera is a little larger than the MiniDV cameras, but the added weight makes it less shaky in your hand. Because of the included Firewire (IEEE 1394) port, its a breeze to transfer video to your computer, provided it also has a Firewire port. I use a Mac so I cant comment on the quality of the included windows editing software. The battery that comes with the camera wont last very long and I highly recommend an additional battery, though they are a bit pricey. I also recommend a good, sturdy tripod, and a screw-on UV filter. 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. 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 dont look very good. Theyre 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.
On: 2002-12-13
This particular Sony model Digital Camcorder makes your decision very easy with choosing the right brand camcorder.
The picture quality together with sound is superb, it always gets the attention of any viewer.
When it comes to features, the user will have lots of fun with getting to know his new camcorder, an all in one great buy.
On: 2002-12-09
I can captures scenes and audio with USB but not able to capture the movies that we recorded.
After contacting Soney I found I have to buy a video capturing card for that. It should be possible by the USB cable Soney provides with the camcorder.Why should I pay the overhead?
On: 2002-12-04
First: To the guy who dissed bottom load cameras and tripods, try part VCT-U14, its a not the standard square mount, but long and rectangular. If you need it really bad, Sony makes it, but its not cheap. This camera is awesome so far, and the smart batteries are very impressive, giving me how long it takes to charge and how much is left. The intelligent shoe is impressive, also, with the number of different accessories that can go there (including a photo printer). As with some other reviewers, the still picture quality is lacking, but we are only talking about roughly a 500K CCD, which was equivalent to my very first digital camera, with the same picture quality. But this is not the camera to replace your still digital unit.
On: 2002-11-08
I just ordered this camcorder yesterday, but I highly recommend it because of my experience with my parents TRV340. Its crisp picture and ease of use will satisfy most home recording needs and at least yesterday was a good deal. However, the main reason Im writing this review is to warn you that you may be in for a long wait for it to arrive from Amazon.com, even though they say it usually ships in one day. Mine is scheduled for shipping on November 15th, eight days after I ordered it. As my wife is 37 weeks pregnant, we hope it gets here before the baby does.
On: 2002-11-07
The first thing that I think you should consider is the weight and size of the camera. If you like a smaller camera, go with a MiniDV, but if size is not a big deal, go with the Digital 8, mainly because it is more versatile epspecially if you have older tapes. If you plan to use this for trips, i recommend MiniDV, however I bought this to make Short films with, so size was not a big factor. One great thing about this camera is that you pay ...for features worth over 1400 dollars on a MiniDV with the same quality. However this model of the Sony left me with mixed feelings. I have used both its older brother the 740 and its younger brother the 140. THey are both excellent cameras. The 140 is great, it skimps a bit in features, but for 500 dollars its a great deal. Also the 740 is great with its megapixel ccd, but you will pay an extra 100 for it. This is a nice balance between the two, however the picture feature was subpar. I decided not to return it because I got an excellent deal on it. Great features of the camera include:The super night shot (people complain becuase it is green, but it will record in 0 lux, and seriously, who needs to record color in 0 lux?)
The night shot is great (Color in 4 lux!!!)
The super steady shot (GREAT!!! NO TRIPOD REALLY NEEDED IF YOU HAVE A DECENTLY STEADY HAND)
Memory Stick (decent pictures if you need to send on the internet?) ... The quality on still pictures cannot be compared.
 On: 2002-09-21
Before you buy a Sony Digital 8 bottom load camcorder be aware of Sonys engineering flaw. When you use their camcorder on a tripod one should know that in order to install or remove a tape you have to 1. remove it from the tripod then 2. unscrew that tripod adaptor. Otherwise the tape compartment will jam against the tripod adaptor when it tries to open. A lot of wasted time and energy here! Unfortunately, I did not discover this flaw until my 30 day Circuit City return window had expired and Sony will not allow me to return it to them. Their help???desk informed me they are aware of this problem but have no fix and that this problem exists on all their Digital 8 bottom load cameras.
On: 2002-08-13
I Bought this camcorder after moving to Florida. My biggest use for the camera is capturing video to use as backdrops and watermarks on documents. A lot of beach shots and some low light and night shots.
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The Camera: Super. Very simple and straight forward to use. Use of the "digit" zoom (700x) is a bit precarious without a tripod but the "optical" zoom (25x) provides excellent video. Its size makes it easy to manipulate and the features are conveniently located. Quality of the video on playback is near DVD quality.
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The Software: When you buy the camera grab yourself a copy of "Video Explosion Deluxe" (approx. [$$]) and throw away the software that comes with the camera. The supplied software is cumbersome, not well documented and provides little (Im being generous) meaningful help via dropdown menus.... The "Video Explosion Deluxe" (VED) installs in just a very few minutes and is well documented, expecially with the online tutorial (extremely well down) and the dropdowns. VED allows for complete control of the camcorder via the PC during video capture by use of the Firewire. The granularity of the editing feature pretty much removes the need of a memory stick and the video can be edited (and images captured) on a "by frame" bases. A really terrific piece of software.... My hat is off to the developers....
On: 2002-07-30
My wife and I went back and forth as to which camera we were going to go with. I initially prefered the Canon Mini DV for about the same price as it was smaller and seemed more functional at the time. Besides, my in-laws purchased the 340 several weeks back and I was trying to be independent!But what truly sold us on the 340 was the 700X Digital Zoom. As we are expecting our first child, we knew that it would be important to be able to zoom in at long distances (little league, soccer, etc...) I was surprised to find as many features as I have (such as the digital fade effects, night vision, night color vision, stop motion animation and time lapse capability). The software is klunky and seems to offer limited functionality. I am still trying to figure out how to transfer from Digital Tape to the computer - so far it seems as if you can only transfer from the memory stick. Overall, I am very pleased as the picture quality is superb and it is compact and easy to take along. Seems to be a very good investment.
On: 2002-07-04
My wife and I bought this camcorder before we went on our honeymoon and we found it to be perfect! The quality of the picture is amazing. When we were replaying the tapes on TV it looked like we were watching DVDs. The sound was also very, very good. Its easy to use, everything is self explanatory. I realy like the feature that allows you to film and send it via e-mail as MPEG files. If you plan to send whatever you taped over e-mail make sure you buy 128mb memory card. (this memory card will allow you to record upto 1 minute) If you only plan to take still pictures, you will do fine with the standard (8MB) memory card that comes with the camcorder. Also, I recommend buying 2nd battery since the standard one, which comes with the camera will last you for about 75 minutes using LCD display (2 hours using viewfinder). I bought my second battery in a package with the camcorder bag (surpisingly the bag does not come with the camcorder). By buying in the package you will save $[money]...Overall, I love this camcorder and I think it the best Digital8 camcorder on the market. One of the reviewer complained about the size of this camera. I just want to say that my wife has the smallest hands and she said that it was not too big. However, if you find this camcorder too big, I suggest looking into buying MiniDV (step above Digital8; also $[money] more expensive for pretty much same features). Good Luck with your purchase!
by: b-kiddo On: 2002-05-11
After trying and hating the JVC camcorder my Dad lent us, we decided to go with this Sony Digital8 camcorder. Easy to use, and loaded with lots extra goodies, this camcorder is fabulous. It has the following features:
*MPEG movie maker (w/ Memory Stick- allows you to email
your videos to friends and family
*ILINK interface (to edit your movies on your PC)
*Super Steady shot (for even the shakiest hand)
*Super "Night Shot" (for low lighting and night taping)
*Digital Still Memory Mode (to load and send still pics via
email
We have been very pleased with this camcorder- no complaints here. Once you learn how to use the editing and emailing features, youll be sending your videos to everyone you know! A good investment, especially if you have young children.
On: 2002-04-26
ive owned the Sony TRV-340 for a few months now and so far have no complaints whatsoever. ive taken quite a few videos with it in various circumstances and light situations and have been very pleased with its over all performance.
the menus and controls are very user friendly and easy to handle.
it shoots with amazing brilliance and picture clarity.
its unfortunate that others find that the built in microphone picks up some motor noise because i have not experienced any of it. infact, the sound quality was one of the first things that i found remarkable about this camera. the mic is very sensitive and yet free from any unwanted hum you normally get from a camcorder recording. and believe me, having worked as a proffessional in the advertising industry, i am not easily pleased.
perhaps my only regret is that they didnt include a built in backlight or pop-up flash with it. but, you can always buy one put it on the provided intelligent shoe. oh and the software that comes with it is useless. its horribly primitive!! if you want to maximize use of this great camera, i suggest you buy software that will give it justice!
if you are thinking on getting the TRV-340, dont hesitate. its a wonerful camera thats priced just right!
 On: 2002-04-05
Im sorry ~ I could not get past all the buzzing. Plus this camcorder must have been made for a mans hand. It was very big and clumsy and aukward placement of buttons and strap . . . .
So, if you are a male and hard of hearing then check this out because SONY products usually are good!
On: 2002-04-05
I purchased the trv340 about two weeks ago and couldnt be happier with the camcorder. Although I was initially concerned about shooting in low-light settings with a 1/6" CCD, my fears were quickly put to rest. The camcorder shoots beautifully in low light settings, and compared to other camcorders in a similar price range, the picture quality on the trv340 is outstanding. Additionally, the menus on the 340 are incredibly easy to maneuver through. Sony included several ports on the camcorder (most notably a usb port, so those without a firewire card can still view and edit video and pictures on their computer). Although the mic does, as the other reviewer noted, occasionally pick up tape drive noise, I havent found it to be a problem in filming. If youre in the market for a camcorder, be sure to take a look at the 340. You wont regret it.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-04-05
Im sorry ~ I could not get past all the buzzing. Plus this camcorder must have been made for a mans hand. It was very big and clumsy and aukward placement of buttons and strap . . . .
So, if you are a male and hard of hearing then check this out because SONY products usually are good!
On: 2002-03-22
After looking at what Sony had to offer on their digital camcorder line, I decided to buy a TRV340. I was impressed with all the features it had to offer. After playing with the shelf model for a while I purchased the TRV340. Once I opened the product at home and inserted the tape there was a hum or buzzing noise while recording or playing back a recording. In a quiet environment, this buzz is also picked up in the recording. The location of the buzzing sound came from the tapes drive mechanism. I returned the product two times and all subsequent camcorders aired this buzz. If you are looking to buy this product play with a shelf model WITH THE TAPE IN. This way you can judge if this will be a problem for you.
On: 2002-03-21
After looking at what Sony had to offer on their digital camcorder line, I decided to buy a TRV340. I was impressed with all the features it had to offer. After playing with the shelf model for a while I purchased the TRV340. Once I opened the product at home and inserted the tape there was a hum or buzzing noise while recording or playing back a recording. In a quiet environment, this buzz is also picked up in the recording. The location of the buzzing sound came from the tapes drive mechanism. I returned the product two times and all subsequent camcorders aired this buzz. If you are looking to buy this product play with a shelf model WITH THE TAPE IN. This way you can judge if this will be a problem for you.
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