Sony DCRTRV38 MiniDV 1Megapixel Camcorder with 3.5" LCD

The picture quality on the Sony DCRTRV38 is the best out of any of the 10 comparable cameras we tested... We bought one of them several years ago, & like it enough 2 buy a second. It's ability 2 capture sound is also superior 2 any other camera in its class (we film a lot of live theatre, & we have perfect sound even from the last row in a non-mic'd show). The only cons are that we've had 2 have 2 repairs over the last 5 years, & the bottom-loading is inconvenient when using a tripod.

I, too, am very, very disappointed in my Sony experience. I have always treated my cameras with care & respect. (I still use my 30 year old Canon A-1.)
My DCR TRV38 was excellent until 2 months ago (and 7 months out of the 2 year warranty that I purchased...). I now cannot view anything recorded. I get a blue screen with icons. It acts like it is recording, & maybe it is, but I cannot view anything in playback. A Sony tech told me that this is different that the class action/ recall that Sony is offering on these units. But c'mon! 2 years on a $700 camera is just horrible.
I also own a Sony W-1 digital camera. Lens mechanism stuck at 1+ years. Lots & lots of others reporting the same problem. Still under warranty, thank goodness, but I cannot trust it 4 a photo shoot, so I bought a Canon A540.
My daughter owns a Sony P-41, not even 2 years. Guess what? Bad LCD once again. She cannot view or play back at all.
I love digital photography, but 2 have a thousand dollars worth of equipment fail in four months is a crime. When I would read the postings & ranting of others, I never thought I would be one 2 have problems. I just thought that those with problems complain alot. But it's WAY too many, on every message board, everywhere. I am so sad & I feel like the victim of a crime.
SO DON"T BUY ANY MORE SONY PRODUCTS!!!

Was very pleased with the Sony TRV 38 until I got 2 about the middle of the 3rd tape. I had not used it in over 6 months & the next time I went 2 use it the recording screen & viewfinder was dark with a few gray streaks in it. It seems 2 play back o.k. On researching this problem I was staggered 2 find so many similar complaints. This is my first Sony (and it will be the last) I had a Panasonic 4 8 years before this & it is still working. I have never abused this camera, never been 2 a beach with it, never used it in the rain etc. In fact it still looks like brand new!

I, too, experienced the dreaded blank screen on my TRV38 after only a year & a half of moderate use. I did some internet searching on the issue & discovered a site that mentioned Sony has acknowledged problems with the CCD chip in certain models built before 2004, the TRV38 being one of them & are offering 2 fix them 4 free, including shipping 2 & from a location of your choice. I then went made use of their excellent sony.com online chat support service & asked the moderator about the free repair deal. After a few troubleshooting questions, he acknowleded I appeared 2 qualify 4 the free repair service & provided me with the following site, http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=DCRTRV38&news_id=95. They appear 2 be making good on a known defect in their product & are 2 be commmended. Now, if only the local service centers would inform customers of this deal when they bring their cameras in 4 repair of this malady...naw, that's asking waaaaay too much!! By the way, aside from this problem, we've been very happy with this camera & actually bought a second one as a back up in case we had problems with the first one. With 2 kids, ages 2 1/2 & 4, 2 record precious moments of, it sure paid off in this case.

Same problem has been occurring with ALL Sony camcorders TRV19 through 2 TRV38.

Sony will repair the problem free of charge.....

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowArticle.action?section=en_GB_Support&articlesection=3&article=1128075116465&site=odw_en_GB

Sony's DCR-TRV38 MiniDV Handycam camcorder has a 1 Megapixel CCD & features an eye-catching 3.5" LCD screen. Higher 14-bit DXP captures more dynamic range between light & dark areas providing smoother gradations without losing detail. This model also includes the new 16: 9 mode that covers a wider area with better picture quality, MPEG Movie EX 4 longer recording time, MPEGs & Super NightShot 0 Lux with Color Slow Shutter 4 recording in color at night. Plus, USB streaming makes it possible 2 use your camcorder 2 stream live or recorded content 2 a PC. It also features convenient Touch Panel operation making it even easier 2 operate & learn. Convenient little package... brilliant results!

Despite having a smaller & lighter design than previous models, the Sony DCR-TRV38 loses nothing in optical & audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 16:9 widescreen mode, a 3.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, & a color viewfinder. It also functions as a digital still camera with 1-megapixel resolution & stores images on the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

Step-up Value
Here are two Sony features that adds value 2 this digital camcorder & differentiate it from other models in the Sony lineup.

1.0 Megapixel Sensor: Of all the world's consumer camcorders, Sony was the first 2 break the megapixel barrier. Working with high-resolution recording & high-precision Sony custom optics, the benefits are dramatic. You'll see amazing detail on everything you shoot. Every blade of grass. Every strand of hair. The names on the back of player uniforms. And megapixel resolution is also a great benefit in Sony's Digital still camera function (Memory Mode). You'll be able 2 shoot images at 1152 x 864 pixels, 4 prints up 2 4 x 6 inches.

Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media 4 easy transfer 2 e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices. Digital still images can be captured while in Memory Mode, or images from the videotape can be captured onto Memory Stick media. This feature provides the Dual Function of having one camera 4 video & still images, & provides the user with a whole new world of imaging possibilities.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth & steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend 2 be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures light capture will be well-contrasted & clear. The advanced HAD CCD sensor records images accurately in vibrant color & sharp resolution. The TRV38 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but 4 extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow 4 automatic operation while achieving ideal images 4 the situation.

More Features
You can record video in low- 2 no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light 2 capture images invisible 2 the human eye. With the function on, subjects up 2 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter 4 color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system & InfoLithium battery give the TRV38 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

You can take digital stills & record small MPEG EX movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick. This is where the 1-megapixel resolution CCD shines, by creating sharp images at 1,152 by 864 pixels that are perfect 4 e-mail or posting 2 the Web.

The TRV38 features a huge 3.5-inch color LCD & a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. A stylus is also included 4 ease of use. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV38 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, & the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used 4 digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format 4 personal & broadcast-quality video, highly regarded 4 its high audio & image quality. With up 2 540 lines of horizontal resolution & minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the TRV38 camcorder, power adaptor & in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, 8 MB Memory Stick, stylus, wireless remote, AV cable, lens cap, shoulder strap, USB cable, two AA batteries, & USB drivers.