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This camera is a great bargain and so versatile.The optical zoom is incredible. I was only able to find them by scouring random seedy websites.One of the best features of this camera is that it records digitally on standard Hi-8 video tapes, which saves you a lot of money over the more expensive digital tapes. I was able to film a drowning swimmer being rescued down on the beach from my 12th floor apartment.Not only is this an excellent camcorder, it also makes a great webcam when connected to your computer with a Firewire cableThe USB streaming is useless: for some reason it won't let you record the audio track over USB even though it installs an audio driver when you plug it in, and the camera will go into standby while it's in use if you're not recording or playing the tape, so I recommend sticking with Firewire.Note that if you buy this camera, keep the application CD that comes with it in a safe place. Sony does not offer drivers for download for this camera and when you call tech support to request them, their customer care doesn't know where to get them either. This is the only video camera in the world that does that.Another great feature of this camera is its onboard stereo microphone. You can use this camera as a digital sound recorder by recording the sound and then dumping the video to your computer and extracting the audio track over Firewire.I've had two of these cameras and I will buy another if something happens to the one I currently have.
If such a thing exists. I suppose this could be addressed by purchasing a larger battery.I am of normal female strength. My budget is low, so I need an affordable camera (under $500), with professional-quality video. I am on this site searching for a new camera because I produce online television shows, as a hobby. I'm not sure why the ratings are so high on this camera [.]. The light is cute as an extra, but not very powerful. for the battery that comes with the camera. For me, there is NOTHING spectacular about this camera, especially if you want to use it for more than just webcam or basic home video purposes.Once unplugged, the battery life is short (2 hours, tops).
Something lighter is ideal, otherwise dont forget the tripod.I do like the connections on this camera, except no jacks for headphones or mic. I've tried all sorts of tricks and can't get rid of the grainy (webcam) quality, nor the poor color in normal indoor lighting situations. Perhaps because the camera is pretty ok, for home-use only outdoors. After a while, my hands and arms are shaking from holding the camera. The Sony DCR-TRV280 IS NOT IT. The sound is just ok. And no accessory jack either. Wish it had more connections and features.[.].
Picture quality is great. It downloads easily to computer. It may take longer than the newer digital memory recorders but you can still get this for a great price and in many cases the picture is better than the new hard drive models.
Sony's names for its various 8mm videocassette formats escape me. The tapes load into the 280 just fine. We purchased a Sony DCR-TRV280 camcorder in hopes of playing our old 8mm videocassettes and capturing them on our computer via its firewire connection. Perhaps the original 8mm format did not have a name. It does have firewire output. Unfortunately, it cannot play the original 8mm format. Anyway, the original is what we have and the 280 cannot play it. So, we're trading in our 280 for a Sony DCR-TRV-460 or -480.
This camcorder it's not bad, it came on time. but if you want to playback Hi8 tapes you better get another one cause this one won't play them, it only plays Digital8 tapes.
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