| Sony DCRTRV140 Digital8 Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Video Light & USB Streaming | 
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| Brand: Sony
Category: Photography
Buy Used: $298.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  38 reviews
Sales Rank: 690
Media: Electronics
Batteries Included: Yes
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 20
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 72
Minimum Focal Length: 3.6
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5.1
Dimensions (in): 10.6 x 9.6 x 7
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: DCR-TRV140
Model: DCR-TRV140
UPC: 027242600263
EAN: 4901780746224
ASIN: B0000634T4
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Digital8 camcorder | | • | 20x optical, 560x digital, zoom with image stabilization | | • | 2.5 inch color LCD and black and white EVF | | • | Features a digital photo mode | | • | Comes with NightShot mode and digital faders and effects |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
You can find digital camcorders for slightly less than the Sony DCR-TRV140, but you won't get Sony's quality and extensive feature list. Captured video proved to be of high quality, whether we viewed it on our TV or transferred it to our PC via the speedy FireWire connection or USB. The USB connection can also be used for setting up the TRV140 as a Webcam via their USB streaming technology. It took some playing around with the Pixela Image Mixer software before we could get the device working properly. In general, a dedicated Webcam would be a better device for this purpose. But as a digital camcorder, we were quite pleased with the TRV140. Its 20x optical zoom (and 560x digital zoom) allowed for extreme close-ups, while the Super NightShot infrared mode allowed us to record in complete darkness. The mode automatically adjusted the shutter speed during night recording, resulting in a brighter, sharper image than Sony's normal NightShot mode. The TRV140 isn't without faults. It won't accept inputted video or play back old Hi-8 or 8mm tapes recorded in analog mode, and the battery lasted only about an hour during our tests. But you can purchase Sony's optional NP-FM91 battery pack, which extends battery life to over 10 hours. The TRV140 has the typical boxiness of the Handycam, but it weighs only a little more than two pounds, with battery. It's comfortable to hold, and its button layout will prove quite familiar to previous Handycam users. It also comes with a remote control for handling the camera's functions from a distance. Selling for under $500, the TRV140 is a great digital camcorder for users who intend to edit video on their PCs for distribution to the Web for or burning to CD or DVD. --J. Curtis Pros:
- 20x optical zoom
- Super NightShot mode
- High-quality digital video
Cons:
- Somewhat short battery life
- Can't play back analog Hi-8 or 8mm
Amazon.com Product Description
The Digital8 line was conceived to provide a path to digital for current owners of 8mm or Hi8 camcorders. Unfortunately, the DCR-TRV140 can't play Hi8 and 8mm footage, as its bigger brothers up the line, like the DCR-TRV240, can. However, it is Sony's least-expensive digital camcorder, and is quite a steal for those who want to make the digital plunge. To start off, Sony put in a 20x optical zoom and paired it with 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 TRV140, 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 TRV140 as a Webcam. The DCR-TRV140 comes with a power adapter, InfoLithium battery, remote control, two AA batteries, A/V cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, and software CD-ROM.
Product Description
The DCR-TRV140 packs top notch digital performance into a surprisingly affordable package. This Digital8 Handycam Camcorder achieves stunning detail, remarkable clarity, and exceptional video performance, even when you're shooting at night, thanks to the Super NightShot 0 Lux and Color Mode system! Day or night, take video you'll love to watch again and again with the Sony DCR-TRV140.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 33 more reviews...
 Not a great product January 23, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this camcorder years and years ago (not off of amazon) and I'm pissed mostly because the guy I bought it from told me it would play my old 8mm analog video tapes. IT DOES NOT!!! So if you are looking for a digital camera that allows you to do this, don't buy this camera. And if you aren't wanting to play analog tapes, go buy a miniDV camera, don't waste your time with Digital 8. Also, this camera does not have a microphone jack, so if you want to get decent sound, don't buy this camera. It also has a crappy battery life, and it's a lot bigger and chunkier than the image makes it look.
Great Camera - but now it is broken with little use January 4, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am very dissapointed with SONY products in general. They have always been my preferred brand for TVs and other electronics over the years. But in the past 5 years we have purchased a home entertainment center and this camcorder and with hardly any use they are both broken and obviously out of warranty. The home entertainment center was fixed by Sony by them sending us a completely new unit - and it has the exact same error message as the old one - and we hardly used the thing and now it is broken, out of warranty and stuck on the "Standby" message which blinks continuously :( And For the Camcorder - we only used it occasionally and have recorded a total of 3 of the mini tapes and now SONY wants me to pay $211 flat rate to fix unit since it is out of warranty... Very dissapointing - especially since I always believed they made quality products. We will not purchase SONY products again.
Poor IEEE-1394 support January 25, 2005
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought my camera over a year ago and I'm very please with all the options. Great zoom, great night shoot, take great quality movies and all. The only drawback I've found so far is the IEEE-1394 support. There's no way to sincronize it when capturing video using the firewire option. The sound is garbled when using with Vegas Foundry 4.0 and the capture run too fast out of sinc on windows movie maker 2. I tried everything including using my other computer which has a different type of IEEE-1394 card and the problem is the same. I tried getting some help from the people at Sony but all they say is they are not responsible with compatibility issues with third party firewire cards. It doesn't matter how many times you write them, that is the only answer you get. So, with that and all, is not a bad camera at all, just don't plan on using firewire for your movie capture, just be please with the usb or you can use the s-video option if you have a vide capture card.
Eject tape broke and Sony won't fix it December 9, 2003
We had been very happy with this camcorder - until we pulled it out to take Christmas pictures of our 15-month old son and the camcorder wouldn't record. It wouldn't eject the tape, and after repeated calls to customer service, we've been told that they'll pay for parts, but the labor to fix it is just over $200. Unfortunately even though we've only used the camcorder for under 15 hours, we're outside the 90 days for labor warranty (who'd have thought the camcorder would be unusable after under 15 hours of use?).Still waiting on a callback from customer service, but having gone up 4 levels already, it's not looking like they'll fix the product. Think our model will be headed for the trash - and we'll be looking at anything BUT Sony for future purchases. I would definitely steer clear of a Sony after this experience.
Great starter digital camcorder August 9, 2003
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
When I first started to look at camcorders I didn't know exactly what I wanted. The number of features was overwhelming and I wasn't sure which ones would prove valuable. I ended up decided on a set of core features: digital recording, reasonable size, good zoom and computer connectivity.I finally ended up with the TRV-140 and it has been great. It is a standard handcam size, which means it fits comfortably in your hand but isn't tiny. The 20x optical zoom is very nice. I have yet to need the digital zoom and haven't even considered buying a telephoto lens. To connect the camera to your computer all you need is a firewire card and the right cable (4 pin to 6 pin). Transferring video was as simple as connecting the cable. Windows XP immediately recognized the camera and I was able to capture and edit film using the MovieMaker software included with XP. My only complaint is the battery life. The standard battery doesn't last very long, especially if you use the LCD. Consider picking up a second battery when you purchase the camcorder. Sony has a couple of offerings, but all are rather expensive. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, check out the compatible batteries made by Duracell or Ray-o-vac.
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