Sony DCR-TRV820

Review Date
February 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Reviewed by
Joshua Wright , Professional , from Waynesboro va USA

Price Paid
$1399.00 at Ebay

Summary
I have 1 thing to say about the Sony 820
totaly awesome!!!!!!!! I have used many digital camcorders in the past, If your looking for a really good camcorder that will make you feel good that you invested your hard earned money this is truley 0ne!! dont look for something else go with the sony trv820 I love it so much I cant put it down and is great for vacations:)

Strengths
Digital Picture
Stereo Sound
Digital Camera
Built in printer-Pictures on the spot
Great Zoom
All around Awesome Digital 8

Weaknesses
Absolutly None

Review Date
January 26, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
2 Weeks

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
fay , Intermediate , from tulsa, ok, usa

Summary
I like it, but I wish that the digital effects could be used for the video effects.

Strengths
printer
price $1099.00
video input
accessories

Weaknesses
Software is complex.
Not good in low light.
I can only find the paper at the department store where I purchased it.

Similar Products Used
afga digital
sharp video

Customer Service
great

Review Date
December 10, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 Month

Reviewed by
Matt Miller , Intermediate , from burlington, NC, USA

Summary
I just got my camcorder for a gift in Nov. I like it so much i can't stop useing it. And the printer is great when you have friends over and you take a picture you can give it to them then besides takeing it to a place to get it develop.

Strengths
Great Graphics,Great effects and great battery lift

Weaknesses
The len's cap gets in your why some times.

Review Date
August 31, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months

Reviewed by
Jan , Intermediate , from Austin

Summary
My old Canon A1 digital died, needed a new camcorder.
If you have bunch of 8mm tapes - then there is only 1 choice
for you - Sony Digital 8 series ( TRV 120 - 820 ).
This one is the top of the line, but it's the same as the others - except the color viewfinder, built-in printer and 4inch screen.
Sony claims that the resolution is higher then the others in the same line - but that's a wrong statement (false advertisement ?). It's the same - just 460k pixels.
1) Camera - works fine, but there are better ones from Sony.
This one is a single CCD chip. Others - true digital cameras have 3 CCD chips for better picture
2) Photos - stills - you can store them on the memory stick or on the tape. Again, the resolution is not good for this purpose. 3 CCD cameras do much better.
3) Printer - you can print stills-photos as wallet sized photos - some as stickers/labels. The quality is good.
4) Battery life - def. need 2 batteries
5) Then it has all the other features - like Night shot, stabilizer etc.

It's the best 8mm affordable camcorder available.

But - does not compare to 3 CCD camcorders - which are more expensive (~2k).
If Sony would make 3 CCD Digital 8 - that would be the best thing to have - if you have 8mm tapes already.

With the right card you can digitize your old analog tapes on your PC and record them back in digital - with titles,sound etc.
Best use - as a recording/playback deck for somebody with 3 CCD camcorder.

Strengths
Best 8mm camcorder available for consumers

Weaknesses
Single CCD chip, still photos not good,
no more automatic lens cover

Similar Products Used
Sony Hi8 camcorder, Canon A1 digital

Review Date
July 13, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
2 Months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Simon C , Expert , from Mountain View, CA

Summary
I bought the 820 instead of the 720 because of the false advertisment by Sony who claimed the resolution of 820 to be 680K. Actually it's the same as the 720 (460K). The built-in printer is useless and it adds bulkiness and weight. Otherwise the video is OK.

Strengths
None

Weaknesses
Heavy and bulky

Similar Products Used
None