
Digital8
® Handycam® Camcorder
Stepping into the Digital age has never been easier with the DCR-TRV280. Featuring Digital Recording
along with SteadyShot® Image Stabilization and NightShot® Plus Technology.
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 Display
(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®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 System
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
System
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.

Sony Electronics Inc. • 16530 Via Esprillo • San Diego, CA 92127 • 1-800-222-7669 • www.sony.com
Digital8
® Handycam® Camcorder
1. i.LINK is a trademark of Sony, used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE1394 connector.
All products with an IEEE1394 connector may not communicate with each other.
2. Designed for use with compatible Sony InfoLITHIUM® batteries.
3. Actual battery life may vary based on product settings, usage patterns and environmental
conditions.
4. Viewable area measured diagonally.
©2008 Sony Electronics Inc.
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Sony,
AccuPower, Advanced HAD, Handycam, i.LINK, InfoLITHIUM, like.no.other, NightShot, Picture Package,
Remote Commander, SteadyShot, SwivelScreen, and worryfreedigital are trademarks of Sony. Carl
Zeiss and Vario-Sonnar are trademarks of Carl Zeiss. PictBridge is a trademark of CIPA. Microsoft and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of
Apple Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Features and specifications subject to change without notice. Non-metric weights and measures are
approximate.
Screen Image Simulated
Please visit the Dealer Network for more information at
www.sony.com/dn
Specifications
General
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
Audio
Dolby® Digital Output:
PCM
Recording Format: Stereo
Convenience
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)
Convenience Features
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
Video
Video Recording System: 2 Rotary Heads,
Helical Scanning System
Video Signal System:
NTSC color, EIA
standards
Analog
-to-
Digital Converter:
N/A
Inputs and Outputs
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®)
Digital Audio/Video Output(s):
Yes (via
i.LINK®)
USB Port(s): Yes (1.1 compliant)
i.LINK® Interface: Yes
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
Display
LCD Screen: 2.5" (123K Pixels SwivelScreen™
LCD Display)
Hardware
Viewfinder: Black and White (90K Pixels)
Docking Station:
N/A
Microphone: Yes (Built-in)
Optics/Lens
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
Power
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)
Service and Warranty Information
Limited Warranty: 1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor
Software
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
Dimensions
Weight:
1 lb 11 oz (780g) main unit only; 2 lbs
(890g) inc. NP
-FM30 rechargeable battery
pack, cassette, lens cap and shoulder
strap
Measurements:
3 3/8" x 3 7/8" x 6" (85 x 98 x
151mm)
Supplied Accessories
Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (AC-L15)
InfoLITHIUM® Rechargeable Battery (NP-
FM30)
AV Cable
USB Cable
Lens Cap
Shoulder Strap
CD-ROM with USB Driver (PicturePackage™
Software Ver. 1.5 for Sony)
Optional Accessories
Quick Charger for Super QuickBatteries (AC-
SQ950D)
AC/DC Adapter Quick Charger (AC-
VQ850D)
Portable AC Charger (DC-VM50)
Car Battery Adapter Cable (DCC-L50)
High Capacity InfoLITHIUM™ Batteries (NP-
FM50/QM71D/FM91/QM91D)
Carrying Case (LCS-
VA2)
Carrying Case (LCS-
VA1)
Handycam Camcorder Starter Kit (ACC-
KITFM50)
Wide Angle Lens (VCL-
0637H)
High-Grade Wide Angle Lens (VCL-
HG0737X)
Wide Angle Lens (VCL-
ES06A)
Telephoto Lens (VCL-
ES20A)
High Grade Telephoto Lens (VCL-
R2037X)
Neutral Density Filter Set (VFR-37K)
Polarizing Filter Kit (VF-
37PK)
Lightweight Tripod (VCT-
R610)
Pocket Tripod (VCT-TK1)
UPC Code:
027242666627