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Sony DCR TRV 230

Sony DCR TRV 230
alaScore 66

53 reviews

Jun, 2013

  • No negative mentions yet

alaTest has collected and analyzed 53 reviews from magazines and websites. People are impressed by the portability and zoom. The color and value for money are also appreciated, whereas there are some mixed views about the image quality.

usability, value for money, color, zoom, portability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony DCR TRV 230 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 66/100 = Good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 53 reviews)

1 expert reviews

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (29% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (37% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (15% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (12% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Image quality
  Show positive (21%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
Usability
  Show positive (40%)Show negative (7%)(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (27%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
Color
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
Portability
  Show positive (20%)None yet(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
Zoom
  Show positive (21%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 29 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 29 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (26)

Expert review by:

Sony DCR-TRV230 Camcorder Review - Sony Digital8 Camcorders

 

The Sony DCR-TRV230 is a Digital8 camcorder. The camcorder has an MSRP of $599 and a street price around $400. It has many features and is effectivly the DCR-TRV130 but it can play back Hi8 and 8mm tapes. The camcorder isn't for the serious...

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Consumer review by:

Amazon review summary for the Sony DCR TRV 230

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 user reviews of the Sony DCR TRV 230 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com.

value for money, zoom, usability, design, color

image quality

53% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

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Consumer review by:

Good entry level Digital 8 model

 

My wife and I both liked using the camera. We bought it for general family use. We have owned it since June 2003. Main reason I bought this model was price and because I could record to and play my existing Hi8 collection on this model. Things I ...

Price, ease of use, format

picture quality just good, menu cumbersome

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Consumer review by:

So-So camera

 

This is not a bad camera but I am having trouble with it not wanting to record or playback tapes. I have tried different tapes thinking maybe it was the tape but no matter what I do, it won't work. Took it to the place I got it, they had to send it...

This is not a bad camera but I am having trouble with it not wanting to record or playback tapes. I have tried different tapes thinking maybe it was the tape but no matter what I do, it won't work. Took it to the place I got it, they had to send it...

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Consumer review by:

Sony DCR-TRV230

 
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Consumer review by:

Turn Off Image Stabilization = Better Picture

 

Turn Off Image Stabilization = Better Picture

Several of the previous reviewers complained about the poor picture quality especially indoors. I thought the same until I turned off the elctronic stabilization. Aside from the tape ejecting on the bottom I find this camcorder to be a good value.

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Consumer review by:

Works fine

 

Works fine

I read all the negative reviews and whining in the reviews of the Sony TRV-230 Digital 8 camcorder, and bought it anyway for use of live-action reference for my animated projects. I didn't need stellar image quality, anyway, so the complaints didn't...

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Consumer review by:

Works fine

 

Works fine

I read all the negative reviews and whining in the reviews of the Sony TRV-230 Digital 8 camcorder, and bought it anyway for use of live-action reference for my animated projects. I didn't need stellar image quality, anyway, so the complaints didn't...

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Consumer review by:

TRV230 is a very good camera: Read your manual!

 

TRV230 is a very good camera: Read your manual!

I bought this camera in November of 2001 and am very happy with its performance and features. For all those that complain about the grainy picture: read your manual that came with the camcorder! With this camera you have the option of different...

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Consumer review by:

DCR-TRV230 Camcorder

 

This is junk. It has not worked since the day I got it. Have returned it for service three times. Has never been fixed. Sony refuses to replace the camera. If I did not have so much invested in accessories I would just throw it away and buy a Canon.

This is junk. It has not worked since the day I got it. Have returned it for service three times. Has never been fixed. Sony refuses to replace the camera. If I did not have so much invested in accessories I would just throw it away and buy a Canon.

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Product Specifications

The DCR-TRV230 brings you the benefits of the DCR-TRV130 with a 20% smaller chassis size, an intelligent accessory shoe, analog inputs and an enhanced 25X Optical / 700 Digital Zoom. With its affordable price, the DCR-TRV230 brings some of the latest SONY video recording technologies. To outline the most stunning features of this camera, one can mention that it allows to records outstanding digital picture and sound on affordable Hi8 and 8mm tapes. It offers up to 500 lines of resolution with 3X the color bandwidth of VHS and significantly lower video noise. 1/6" CCD with 460, 000 pixels provides stunning detail and clarity, with exceptional video and still image performance. 25X OPTICAL/ 700X DIGITAL ZOOM brings the action up close from far away. STEADYSHOT picture stabilization system uses motion sensors to compensate for camera "shake" without compromising picture quality. And super NightShot allows capturing video even when shooting in total darkness (0 Lux) using the built-in infrared system up to ten feet away. The Super NightShot mode automatically adjusts the shutter speed to increase picture brightness and clarity.

Audio Input

Microphone Operation Mode:Stereo
Microphone Technology:Electret condenser
Type:Microphone

Battery

Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific

Camcorder Features

Low Lux / Night Mode: Yes

Camera Flash

Type: None

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:8.3in
Height:3.9in
Weight:2lbs
Width:3.3in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:3.5in
Diagonal Size (metric):8.9cm
Display Form Factor:Rotating
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Header

Localization:English
Manufacturer:Sony
Model:TRV230
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Sony Handycam DCR

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/1.6-2.7
Max Focal Length:60mm
Min Focal Length:2.4mm
Optical Zoom:25
Type:Zoom lens

Miscellaneous

Color:Black / Silver

Optical Sensor

Camcorder Effective Video Resolution:290Kpix
Camcorder Sensor Resolution:460Kpix
Optical Sensor Size:1/6"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):4.2 mm ( 1/6 ) / 4.2 mm ( 1/6" )
Optical Sensor Type:CCD
Sensor Qty:1CCD

Optical System

Image Stabilizer:Electronic

Service & Support

Type:1 year warranty

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Analog Video Format:PAL
Digital Zoom:700
Media Type:Digital8 / Hi8 / Video8
Type:Camcorder

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Color Support:Black & white
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