Sony Digital8 Camcorder (page 2)

In addition to capturing fine digital video, the TRV820 can also snap digital still images and save them as JPEG images on the Sony 4MB Memory Stick. This Band-Aid size storage device can hold about 40 digital still images in fine mode. There are a number of fancy things you can do in the Memory Stick setting, like superimpose a still image over video, rapid fire capture that takes nine continuous shots and copy still images from tape to the Memory Stick. Once your still images are on the Memory Stick, you can quickly and easily print your favorites.

The built-in printer is what sets this baby apart. We have to hand it to Sony on this one, it's pretty cool. You just insert the special printing paper that's included and press print. Two minutes later you've got yourself a photo. The TRV820 can print a still image from video, a still from the Memory Stick and it can even print a still from a VCR or television that's properly connected. Pretty cool. The color prints are about the size of a business card and have a resolution of 254 dpi (dots per inch).

It takes just over two minutes to print one image. This is a great feature for video hobbyists who want to augment their video with some precious wallet-sized stills without hassling with a computer. If you can live without the printing function, take a look at the TRV 720. For $200 less, it is the exact same camcorder minus the print feature.

The TRV 820 Sony Digital8 camcorder produced high quality digital images - images on par with any DV camcorder at this price - and worked exceptionally well in our tests. Though it lacks a manual white balance setting, it has everything else a serious hobbyist could want.

• Format: Digital8
• Lens: 25:1 optical zoom, 450:1 digital zoom, f=3.7-92.5mm, 37mm filter diameter
• Image Sensor: 1/4-inch CCD, 460,000 pixels
• Viewfinder: 4-inch color LCD viewscreen, color viewfinder
• Focus: Manual, Auto
• Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/4,000
• Exposure: Manual, Auto
• White Balance: Auto
• Image Stabilization: SteadyShot™ (Electronic Image Stabilization)
• Digital Effects: Negative, Sepia, B&W, Solarize, Slim & Stretch, Pastel, Mosaic, Still, Flash Motion, Luminance Key, Trail, Slow Shutter, Old Movie
• Audio: 12-bit or 16-bit stereo recording
• Inputs: FireWire (IEEE 1394), Composite A/V jack, S-video, External microphone
• Outputs: FireWire (IEEE 1394), Composite A/V jack, S-video, Headphone
• Edit Controller: LANC
• Other Features: Electronic image stabilization, Built-in speaker, Still image capture, Memory stick, Serial port adapter, hot shoe adapter, NightShot™ infrared system
• Dimensions: 4 1/2 (width) x 4 7/8 (height) x 8 5/8 (depth) inches
• Weight: (sans tape and battery) 2lb. 13oz

• Pause to Record: 1.4 seconds
• Power-up to Record: 6.5 seconds
• Fast-forward/Rewind (30 min. tape): 2 minutes 50 seconds

• Printer
• Excellent image quality
• Digital Still capture w/ memory stick
• Analog and FireWire I/O

• No manual white balance

The TRV820 is the Cadillac of Digital8 camcorders, designed for the beginner to intermediate video hobbyist. With still image capture to memory stick and its built-in color printer the TRV820 is an excellent DV value.

$1,399
Sony Electronics
1 Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(800) 222-SONY
www.sel.sony.com

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