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Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder - DCR-TRV280

Abt Model: DCRTRV280
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Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder - DCRTRV280/ 1/6" CCD Imager With 290K Effective Pixels/ 20X Optical Zoom Lens With 990X Digital Zoom/ 2.5" SwivelScreen LCD Display/ SteadyShot Picture Stabilization System/ NightShot Plus Infrared System
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Product Details

Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder, Model DCRTRV280

Go digital… Capture high-quality digital audio and video with Sony’s DCR-TRV280 Digital8® Handycam® camcorder. The DCR-TRV280 features Digital8® recording for 3X the color bandwidth of VHS, providing you with stunning video performance. The CCD imager captures clear and detailed images for consistently outstanding image quality. With Sony’s NightShot® Plus infrared system you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light.
Don’t let its compact design fool you, the DCR-TRV280 carries great power with the Stamina® battery power management system, which allows you to continuously record for up to 12 hours on a single full charge1. Editing and sharing hours of video is easy with the i.LINK®2 DV interface, which allows you to easily connect your camcorder to your TV or PC.

Key Features:

  • 1/6" CCD Imager with 290K effective pixels
  • 20X optical zoom lens with 990X digital zoom
  • 2.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD display1
  • SteadyShot® picture stabilization system
  • NightShot® Plus infrared system

Features:

  • Digital8® Recording
    The Digital8® recording format delivers 3X the color bandwidth of VHS with significantly less video noise providing stunning video performance. Digital8 records digital audio and video comparable to MiniDV on affordable Hi8 tapes.
  • 1/6" CCD Imager, 460K Pixels Gross
    1/6" CCD Imager with 290K (effective) pixels provides great detail and clarity along with outstanding digital video performance.
  • 20X Optical/990X Digital Zoom
    The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
  • SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System
    Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera “shake" without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.
  • 2.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD Display1 (123K Pixels)
    Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.
  • USB Streaming
    Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder’s tape. It’s like having your own video conferencing system.
  • i.LINK®2 DV Interface
    A digital high-speed bi-directional interface which provides Audio/Video communication between two compatible devices. This connection allows for pure digital transfer between devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, such as camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards and PCs3.
  • InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System4
    Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony’s rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening “memory effect". Sony’s exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
  • Multi-Language Menu
    Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean or Traditional Chinese.
  • Easy Dubbing
    Connect the Handycam camcorder to a VCR to effortlessly make VHS copies of your home videos. The camcorder can control up to 59 brands of VCRs.
  • NightShot® Plus Infrared System
    With Sony’s NightShot® Infrared System you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 10 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems.
  • Stamina® Battery Power Management System
    Using the optional NP-QM91D InfoLithium® Battery, the DCR-TRV280 can continuously record for up to 12 hours on a single full charge5, providing extra long battery life.
  • Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes
    Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset & Moon modes.
  • Picture Effects
    Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony’s Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone, Solarize, Slim, Stretch, Pastel and Mosaic.
  • End Search
    Automatically advances the video tape to the last 5 seconds of the recorded scene. This prevents accidentally recording over previously recorded videos.
  • Fader Effects
    Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black, Mosaic, White, Monotone and Stripe.
  • Titling
    Add professional looking titles to your video. Select from 8 presets, or customize 2 titles with up to 22 characters.
  • Battery Information
    At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. The display will show how much the battery is charged, in 10% increments and the recordable time left when using the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
  • Photo Mode
    Using Sony’s Adaptive Frame Interpolation for better image quality, you can store hundreds of individual still images with 7 seconds of audio on the videotape.
  • Built-In White LED Light
    Brighten your video, and reduce shadows when shooting in low-light situations. The LED light uses considerably less power than bulb-based light systems, with the same light output.
  • Manual Focus
    Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the dial. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder’s auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.
  • Easy Handycam® Button
    Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam® button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are “locked out" leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational.

Specifications:

  • Imaging Device: 1/6" 460K Gross Pixel CCD
  • Video Actual: 290K Pixels
  • F: 1.6 – 2.4
  • Focal Distance: 2.5 – 50mm
  • 35mm Conversion: 42 – 840mm
  • Filter Diameter: 37mm
  • Optical Zoom: 20X
  • Digital Zoom: 990X
  • Focusing: Full Range Auto/Manual (Dial)
  • SteadyShot® Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Minimum Illumination: 4 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot® Infrared System)
  • NightShot® Infrared System: NightShot® Plus
  • Shutter Speed: 1/60 – 1/4000 (AE Mode)
  • Viewfinder: Black and White, 90K Pixels
  • LCD: 2.5" Color1 (123K)
  • Video Input/Output: No/Yes (Special)
  • Audio Input/Output: No/Yes (Stereo, Special)
  • USB: Yes
  • USB Streaming: Yes
  • White Balance: Auto
  • Exposure: Yes, Dial (24 Steps)
  • Power Consumption (VF/LCD/VF+LCD): 2.5W/3.4W/3.6W
  • Supplied Accessories:
    • AC-L15 Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger
    • NP-FM30 InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery
    • AV Cable
    • USB Cable
    • Lens Cap
    • Shoulder Strap
    • CD-ROM with USB Driver (PicturePackage™ Software Ver. 1.5 for Sony)

Approximate Dimensions:

  • Width: 3 3/8"
  • Height: 3 7/8"
  • Depth: 6"

Approximate Weight:

  • Unit (w/out Tape and Battery): 4.85 oz
  • Shipping: 5 lbs

Warranty Information:

  • Manufacturer's Warranty(authorized online retailer):
    • 1 Year Parts / 90 Days Labor
  • 4 Year Extended Service Warranty:Click here for details

Manufacturer's Model Number: DCR-TRV280

Footnotes:

  1. ©2004 Sony Electronics Inc.
    Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Sony, AccuPower, Advanced HAD, Handycam, i.LINK, InfoLithium, Memory Stick, the Memory Stick logo, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, NightShot, Picture Package, Remote Commander, SteadyShot, SwivelScreen, and worryfreedigital are trademarks of Sony. Carl Zeiss and Vario-Sonnar are trademarks of Carl Zeiss. PictBridge is a trademark of CIPA. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Features and specifications subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measures are approximate.

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder
 
4.5

(based on 6 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Great picture quality (6)
  • Great features (5)
  • Simple controls (5)
  • Versatile (5)
  • Durable (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Home (6)
    • Outdoor events / games (4)
    • Office (3)
    • Travel (3)

    Reviewed by 6 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-6

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    4.0

    So far, so good!!

    By Kid Scott Rocks! Go Spurs!

    from San Antonio

    About Me Parent

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Great Features
    • Great Picture Quality
    • Simple Controls
    • Versatile

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Home
      • Office

      Comments about Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder:

      It's a good product for the price. Also, I mainly needed something to play my old 8mm tapes. I plan to transfer them to my hard drive using this camcorder and then to DVD's. It is supposed to have that capability, but I haven't tried yet. [...]

      Comment on this review

       
      5.0

      I would buy this product again and again

      By Beagle B

      from Asheville, NC

      About Me Parent, Tech Savvy, Video Hobbyest

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Great Features
      • Great Picture Quality
      • Great Sound
      • Simple Controls
      • Versatile

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Home
        • Office
        • Special Events
        • Travel

        Comments about Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder:

        This camcorder model was just what I wanted and needed. It is simple to operate and meets my needs. It doesn't have lots of bells and whistles but does have many extra nice features. The video quality is excellent when capturing using a firewire connection for burning DVDs on a computer. The software that came with the unit is about useless but downloading (capturing) works well with Nero 7 and Roxio DVD 9.

        Comment on this review

         
        4.0

        Good Deal...Great Solution to Problem

        By Lezah

        from Chicagoland Area

        About Me Tech Savvy

        Verified Reviewer

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Great Picture Quality
        • Great Sound
        • Versatile

        Cons

        • Function Buttons small
        • Lacking remote to operate

        Best Uses

        • Home

        Comments about Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder:

        This was just what I needed to begin the transfer of many old memories stored on 8mm tapes to DVD. My old camcorder got moisture inside and it was too expensive to have it repaired. I thought my dozens of tapes would be lost forever. This was a great deal to help we make my transfers. I can also use it to record new memories.

        Comment on this review

         
        5.0

        ...

        By quickie

        from md

        About Me Hobbyist/Enthusiast

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Great Features
        • Great Picture Quality
        • Great Sound
        • Simple Controls
        • Versatile

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Home
          • Special Events

          Comments about Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder:

          very good

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          Everything you need, nothing you don't!

          By Janie

          from Iowa

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Durable
          • Great Features
          • Great Picture Quality
          • Great Sound
          • Simple Controls
          • Versatile

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Home
            • Office
            • Special Events
            • Travel

            Comments about Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder:

            I decided to buy the TRV280 for my nephew for Christmas after comparing it to the TRV138 because of the image stabilization feature, the USB and ilink features, and the video inputs which the 138 doesn't have. This is a camera a novice can be comfortable with and can quickly graduate to using/appreciating the features I mentioned. The extra things on the TRV380 don't improve the picture or the fun of using the camera, so I couldn't see spending the money. I ordered the TRV280 online based on a comparison of features and price and based on my trust in Sony. After seeing it and testing it out for my nephew, I bought two more,one for his brother and one for his sister,all older teens,their first camcorders. I'd be happy with this myself if I didn't already have an older Sony TRV340 which I love.

            Comment on this review

            (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            Great camera, affordable price

            By Mimi

            from Arkansas

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Great Features
            • Great Picture Quality
            • Simple Controls

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Home
              • Special Events
              • Travel

              Comments about Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder:

              Bought this before my daughter's wedding. A total of 3 people operated it during the wedding. We got some great footage. Love the ease of operation and fade features.

              Comment on this review

              Displaying reviews 1-6

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              Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder

              Sony Digital8 Handycam Camcorder

              UPC Code: 027242666627
              $249.00
              Discontinued


              More reasons to buy the Sony DCR-TRV280 from Abt Electronics
              • Abt.com is an authorized dealer (Learn More).
              • The Sony DCR-TRV280 is Brand New.
              • The Sony DCR-TRV280 Ships in a Factory Sealed Box.
              • Abt ships this product for free!