Sony CCD-TRVx08 Series

The CCD-TRVx08 series is a series of 8mm camcorders produced by Sony in 2002. The series included five analog Hi8 units and one Digital8 unit, the DCR-TRV140.

Overview
The camcorders in the CCD-TRVx08 series all share the common "camera-in-palm" design. All are equipped with LCDs and B&W LCD viewfinders that tilt and telescope (the only exception is the CCD-TRV108, whose viewfinder is CRT). All of the analog models share a user's manual. The DCR-TRV140 has its own that includes the analog models, so it's possible that the TRV140 was a late addition to the series.

Models
The models in this series are listed here as "ranked" by Sony.

NTSC

 * CCD-TRV107
 * CCD-TRV108
 * CCD-TRV308
 * CCD-TRV408
 * CCD-TRV608
 * DCR-TRV140

PAL
This is the counterpart CCD-TRVx08E series described below.
 * CCD-TRV107E
 * CCD-TRV108E
 * CCD-TRV208E
 * CCD-TRV408E
 * DCR-TRV140E

All Models

 * Large, non-backlit auxiliary LCD on the back of the main LCD. It displays the format, battery state of charge, time code (DCR-TRV140), tape counter (analog models), or clock (analog models).
 * The silver plastic has a blue tint.
 * All members use Infolithium M batteries.
 * All members have the tape transport buttons on top on a panel that flips open to reveal the eject button and tape compartment. See also the DCR-TRV130, TRVx20 series, and CCD-TRVx8 series.
 * All members have NightShot.
 * All members, except the DCR-TRV140, are monaural.
 * The CCD-TRVx08 series uniquely pairs a top-loading tape transport mechanism with Infolithium M, most camcorders that used Infolithium M batteries had a bottom-loading transport mechanism.
 * All members have a power switch that rotates around the pitch axis with respect to the user, with the record/pause button to the side of it. Is was one of the first Sony camcorder series to use this, and their only top-loading series to do so.

By Model
It is unknown why the flagship DCR-TRV140 has the 2.5" LCD of the cheaper models. This is also true for the DCR-TRV130.

A/V Peripherals
All models have an S-Video output and a TRS (or TRRS in the case of the DCR-TRV140) jack for composite video and audio. For the analog models, the jack supports composite video and one channel of audio. For the DCR-TRV140, composite video and two channels of audio are supported. The TRV140 adds a FireWire port that can be used as a DV input or output. All of the analog peripherals function as outputs only, even on the TRV140.

The TRV608 and TRV140 have a USB port for streaming.

The analog models have a 5VDC output for an RF modulator (for connection to a TV with no A/V jacks) that the TRV140 does not include.

PAL CCD-TRVx08E Series
The PAL counterpart of this series is made up of four analog models and the DCR-TRV140E. The analog models are the CCD-TRV107E, TRV108E, TRV208E, and TRV408E.

Differences
The DCR-TRV140E is basically the same as its NTSC counterpart, aside from a larger CCD to accommodate for the higher resolution of PAL video, and a 4.43MHz A/V color subcarrier (as opposed to 3.58MHz). USB streaming is not included on any members of the PAL series.

Differences that exist within the analog models are listed below. All models have the 2.5" screen, and a built-in light.

Compatibility
Both the TRV140 and TRV140E have the ability to play back and record NTSC and PAL Digital8 tapes, but the camera itself only takes video in one standard (i.e. a PAL signal must be externally sent to the TRV140 to be recorded, and an NTSC signal must be external to be recorded on the TRV140E). A PAL DV signal played on the TRV140 will yield an NTSC-50 A/V signal (which will not show in color on a PAL TV). An NTSC DV signal played on the TRV140E will yield a PAL-60 or NTSC-4.43 A/V signal, whichever is selected by the user.

It can be assumed that the NTSC TRVx08 camcorders cannot play back PAL recordings. The PAL TRVx08E models, however, have the ability to play SP NTSC recordings, with some limitations. The video output can be NTSC-4.43 or PAL-60, whichever is selected by the user.

None of the analog models can record from the A/V peripherals (they are outputs only).