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(More customer reviews)I bought my Sony DCR-TRV480 a week ago, to replace a 9-year-old Sony Hi8 model. My primary requirements were for a model that would make it easy to capture aging 8mm tapes on DVD media, and provide 5-10 years of use for more family videos. My first reactions are that the camera will do the job, but that the provided DVD/VCD software is useless. I have not really tested the camera functions yet, beyond generating a few minutes of digital tape to play with for quality comparisons. Thus I must limit my thoughts to the software and the camera interface to my PC. [See my update below.]
My first goal was to capture some minutes of preexisting material on my PC to learn the process and explore the software. After diligently reading the manual, I discovered that to burn DVDs with the Sony software, you must own a Sony VIAO computer. Otherwise you are stuck with direct burning of VCDs, and that without any true editing capabilities. Further, Sony's software will only capture to MPEG-2 format with the use of a firewire/I-link/IEEE 1394 connection (not provided), and does not work with USB2. The direct VCD format is (I believe) MPEG-1.
That said, after an hour of reading and experimenting, I was able to burn a VCD from a preexisting tape using the provided USB2 cable. The process requires starting the application on the PC, then initiating the burn from the camera. (Be patient, it can take 20-40 seconds for the camera and software to shake hands and get to it.) Recording begins at the current location on the tape, puts in chapter marks at fixed (but configurable) time intervals, and quits when it sees a gap on the tape. The camera appears to be in control of the process. The manual does NOT say that the camera will refuse to start the process if you have not inserted a completely new CDR in your burner. It also automatically finishes the disk when blank tape is found, so you cannot add more segments to a half full disk. This will waste a lot of CD space if you have more than a few gaps on your original tapes (something I am very guilty of ;-)). After wasting 5-6 CDRs, I was pretty frustrated. The clincher was a number of computer lockups, apparently from some of the software failing to close when instructed to do so. (My OS is Win2K Pro on a new 2.8Ghz P4).
At this point, I was considering returning the camera. Luckily, my burner (from TDK) came with Roxio's DVDMax software, and I decided to see if it would do better. It did. I spent 5 minutes with the DVDMax tutorial, then set DVDMax to capture the USB2 input stream, and just hit play on the camera. Video worked on the first try, with Audio coming along when I realized that I was pointing the software at the wrong source. It was easy to capture segments, though the two devices are not linked at the control level, meaning that you have to start the camera playback and click the record button on the PC separately, the old fashioned way. The resulting quality from a variety of old tapes (standard 8mm, Hi8, new digital) is adequate for home movies, when set at 640x480 (I do not expect professional quality results, however much I would wish for them, especially with my older analog tapes). The Sony software limited me to a lower resolution when using the USP cable, though I should note that the manual suggests that higher quality is possible with a firewire connection. I am intending to test this in the next week or so, once I can buy the cable. I believe that DVDMax was able to get the higher 640x480 resolution through the USB cable, but I have not confirmed that at this writing.
After building a test movie with DVDMax, and checking it on the system in the living room, I deleted all of Sony's software, except the base driver, and will happily live without it. If you buy Sony, you will want to do the same, and use DVDMax or some other third party tool to capture, manage, and burn your movies on a PC.
UPDATE: I bought the Firewire cable (6 pin to 4 pin) and tested the capture system again with Roxio's DVD Builder. The camera and software linked up immediately, with the PC controlling the camera as needed. The camera delivered 720x480 frames with no problems, giving me a sample from a 15 year old standard 8mm tape, a newer Hi8 tape, and some Digital 8 footage taken with the new camera. Both the analog recordings were much better than the earlier test with the USB2 connection. The Digital 8 recording was excellent, though still not commercial quality. I expect I can get a further improvement on all my material if I get software with better rendering capabilities, which is the next purchase on my list. The Digital 8 recording also automatically separates out segments for editing with each record/standby transition you film, which is a nice feature for the future. The camera cannot do this for either analog format.
I have also been able to test the camera modestly. The zoom is better than my old camera, able to frame a large bird at 150 feet (optically, not digitally). Like all small camcorders, stability when zoomed in is a problem, but no worse than on our old camera. I do not like the zoom control: it is small and very sensitive. You use your right index finger to push/pull a small protruding control. With my large hands, I found it at the edge of awkward. A two-button design would have been much better. As for the rest, only time will tell.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony DCR-TRV480 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
The DCR-TRV480 Sony Digital8 Handycam(R) Camcorder is for camera buffs who want to go digital but still keep their old tapes. This versatile camera plays all your old 8mm and Hi8(TM) video tapes, while capturing Digital8 video for sharp, high quality recordings. With its 20X Optical and 990X Digital zoom and its 1/6" CCD Imager with 290K (effective) pixels, you'll bring the action up close and see it with greater detail and clarity. The 2.5" SwivelScreen(TM) delivers high-resolution imaging during playback. Broadcast live over the Internet with the USB Streaming support. 1/60 shutter speed (1/4000 in AE Mode) Mini video input/output Stereo & Special audio input/output USB port with USB Streaming supporti.LINK 2 DV Interface Auto white balance Dial exposure (24 steps)Dimensions(WxHxD) -3 3/8 x 3 7/8 x 6 (85 x 98 x 151 mm)Weight -1 lb. 12 oz. (800g) without Tape and Battery
Click here for more information about Sony DCR-TRV480 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom
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