Features
Capture high-quality digital audio and video with the DCR-TRV280 Digital8® Handycam® camcorder. The DCR-TRV280 features Digital8 recording for 3X the color bandwidth of VHS, providing you with stunning video performance. The CCD imager captures clear and detailed images for consistently outstanding image quality. With the NightShot® Plus infrared system you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Continuously record for up to 12 hours on a single full charge with the Stamina® battery power management system. Editing and sharing hours of video is easy with the i.LINK® DV interface, which allows you to easily connect your camcorder to your TV or PC.
Digital8 Recording
The Digital8 recording format delivers 3X the color bandwidth of VHS with significantly less video noise providing stunning video performance. Digital8 records digital audio and video comparable to MiniDV on affordable Hi8 tapes.
1/6" CCD Imager, 460K Pixels Gross
1/6" CCD Imager with 290K (effective) pixels provides great detail and clarity along with outstanding digital video performance.
20X Optical/990X Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, with the Digital Zoom and interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System
Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera "shake" without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.
2.5" SwivelScreen™ LCD Display4 (123K Pixels)
Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.
USB Streaming
Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder's tape. It's like having your own video conferencing system.
i.LINK®1 DV Interface
A digital high-speed bi-directional interface which provides Audio/Video communication between two compatible devices. This connection allows for pure digital transfer between devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, such as camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards and PCs.
InfoLITHIUM® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System2
Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "memory effect". Sony's exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
Multi-Language Menu
Change the menu display from English to English (Simplified), Canadian French, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean or Traditional Chinese.
Easy Dubbing
Connect the Handycam camcorder to a VCR to effortlessly make VHS copies of your home videos. The camcorder can control up to 59 brands of VCRs.
NightShot® Plus Infrared System
With Sony's NightShot Infrared System you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 10 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems.
Stamina® Battery Power Management System3
Using the optional NP-QM91D InfoLITHIUM® Battery, the DCR-TRV280 can continuously record for up to 12 hours on a single full charge, providing extra long battery life.
Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes
Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset & Moon modes.
Picture Effects
Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone, Solarize, Slim, Stretch, Pastel and Mosaic.
Fader Effect(s)
Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black, Mosaic, White, Monotone and Stripe.
Battery Information
At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. The display will show how much the battery is charged, in 10% increments and the recordable time left when using the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
Photo Mode
Using Sony's Adaptive Frame Interpolation for better image quality, you can store hundreds of individual still images with 7 seconds of audio on the videotape.
Built-In White LED Light
Brighten your video, and reduce shadows when shooting in low-light situations. The LED light uses considerably less power than bulb-based light systems, with the same light output.
Easy Handycam Button
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out" leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational.
Manual Focus
Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the dial. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.
End Search
Automatically advances the video tape to the last 5 seconds of the recorded scene. This prevents accidentally recording over previously recorded videos.
Titling
Add professional looking titles to your video. Select from 8 presets, or customize 2 titles with up to 22 characters.
Specifications
Imaging Device
1/6" CCD
Pixel Gross
460K
Recording Media
Standard 8mm, Hi8, Digital8 (sold separately)
Recording and Playback Times
SP: up to 1 hour, LP: up to 1 hour 30 min., Fast Forward/Rewind Time: up to 5 min. (using 120 min. Digital8)
Video Actual
290K Pixels
Still Actual
N/A
35mm Equivalent
42-840mm
Aperture
f1.6-f2.4
Exposure
Dial (24 Steps)
Filter Diameter
37mm
Focal Distance
2.5-50mm
Focus
Full Range Auto, Manual (Dial)
Progressive Shutter Mode
N/A
Shutter Speed
1/60-1/4000 (AE Mode)
Optical Zoom
20X
Digital Zoom
990X
Resolution
N/A
Lens Type
Sony Lens
Video Recording System
2 Rotary Heads, Helical Scanning System
Video Signal System
NTSC color, EIA standards
Analog-to-Digital Converter
N/A
Dolby® Digital Output
PCM
Recording Format
Stereo
LCD Screen
2.5" (123K Pixels SwivelScreen™ LCD Display)4
Viewfinder
Black and White (90K Pixels)
Docking Station
N/A
Microphone
Yes (Built-in)
LANC Terminal
N/A
Analog Audio/Video Input(s)
Yes (Mini Plug)
Analog Audio/Video Output(s)
Yes (Mini Plug)
Digital Audio/Video Input(s)
Yes (via i.LINK®)1
Digital Audio/Video Output(s)
Yes (via i.LINK®)1
USB Port(s)
Yes (1.1 compliant)
i.LINK® Interface
Yes1
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s)
N/A
Headphone Jack
N/A
Microphone Input
N/A
Remote Jack
N/A
S-Video Input(s)
N/A
S-Video Output(s)
N/A
HDMI™ Connection Output(s)
N/A
USB Streaming
Yes
SteadyShot® Image Stabilization
Yes (Electronic)
Accessory Shoe
N/A
White Balance
Auto
Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility
N/A
Still Image Mode(s)
Yes (Tape)
Minimum Illumination
4 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot® Infrared System)
Easy Operation
Easy Handycam® Button, End Search
Multiple Language Display
Yes
Remote Control
N/A
Slide Show Mode
N/A
Titling
Yes
Light/Flash
Built-in Light (White LED)/No
Movie Mode(s)
N/A
Scene Mode(s)
Beach & Ski, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, SpotLight, Sunset & Moon
Picture Effect(s)
Black & White, Mosaic, Negative Art, Pastel, Sepia, Slim, Solarize and Stretch
Digital Picture Effect(s)
N/A
PictBridge Compatible
N/A
Low Light Capability
NightShot® Plus system
Fader Effect(s)
Black, Monotone, Mosaic, White
Power Consumption
2.5W/3.4W/3.6W (VF/LCD/VF+LCD)
Battery Type
InfoLITHIUM® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FM30)
Power Requirements
7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
Limited Warranty
1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor
Operating System Compatibility
Microsoft® Windows® 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional, Macintosh® OS X (v10.1.5 or later)
Supplied Software
Picture Package™ Ver. 1.5
Weight (Approx.)
1 lb 11 oz (780g) main unit only; 2 lbs (890g) inc. NP-FM30 rechargeable battery pack, cassette, lens cap and shoulder strap
Dimensions (Approx.)
3 3/8" x 3 7/8" x 6" (85 x 98 x 151mm)