Camcorder Digital : Digital Camcorder Feature Factors

Executive Summary about : Camcorder Digital  By goshopping.thestar.com

digital video camcorders

A camcorder’s price will be a good indicator of how specialized the unit is.  How you intend to use the camera should be your  guide on how comprehensive the features need be, and ultimately what your budget should be.

• Recording Media: Digital 8 Camcorders | Mini-DV Camcorders | DVD Camcorders | HDD or Hard Disc Drive Camcorders
• Zoom: focus on the magnification of the camera’s optical zoom.  Optical zoom gives you a clear picture, while digital zoom will pixelate your image.
• Image Stabilization: optical stabilization means that the lens mechanism moves to compensate for movement, while electronic stabilization means that the camcorder uses internal circuitry after the image has been captured to interpret the video.  Optical stabilization is said to provide the best results.
• Low Light Modes: some cameras support the ability to film in low light situations with one or more of the following means: infrared light, slow-shutter mode or built-in illumination from LEDs.
• Microphones: try to opt for a camera that has the microphone positioned to the front of the camera, or one that offers a zoom microphone that will zoom in on the sound from the subject when the zoom lens is used.  It is also advisable to invest in a unit that facilitates an external microphone.  Top mounted microphones tend pick up the videographer’s voice, which will over-power the sounds coming from the subject.
• Screen Size: a larger LCD screen is useful for filming and playing back video although some models can be washed out in sunlight so it is important to test the camera outdoors if you are able to.  LCD’s also use up a lot of power, so a camera that provides both a viewfinder and LCD is the best choice.
• Size, Weight & Controls: handle the camcorder and test the controls to assess whether you can effectively use them without moving the unit too much.  Small cameras are light, compact, and highly portable, although consumers with larger hands may find the controls hard to maneuver.  Larger cameras may have more functionality but may not be as easy to carry with you.

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Camcorder Digital : Recording Format of Common Digital Camcorder

Executive Summary about : Camcorder Digital  By goshopping.thestar.com

mini camcorder digital

Tape one of the surprising things about digital camcorders is that many of them still use tape (in cassette form) to record data. Others use DVDs or solid state memory. These are the major formats in use.

Some camcorders record directly onto memory cards such as flash memory, Memory Sticks or Secure Digital cards. Exactly how much data they hold varies a great deal. Memory cards are also expensive compared to other storage media like tapes and disks. Some digital camcorders use tape to store video footage and a memory card to store still images.

As far as I known, digital camcorder can be classified to 4 group according to the recording format that they use. And they are :

Digital 8 Camcorders

Digital 8 camcorders record a digital signal onto an 8mm digital video tape.  The format is useful to those who have previously owned an analogue 8mm camcorder as they can still play their old tapes, but film digitally going forward.

Mini-DV Camcorders

The camcorder records digitally onto compact cassettes which are easy to store and use. This format records digital video onto a digital video tape and is currently the most popular format as recordings can be easily exported to a computer and edited.  Some mini-DV camcorders can also convert VHS tapes to a digital format when they are connected to a VCR. To play on anything other than your TV (which you do by using a link to the camcorder itself) you will need to download the data to your PC and burn it onto a DVD for use in a DVD player.

DVD Camcorders

DVD camcorders record digital video onto a DVD and can conveniently be played back in a DVD player immediately after recording. These are smaller than DVD movie discs but can play in DVD players.  For the most part they record in mpeg-2 which may or may not be editable depending on whether your computer reads the format, and you have the applicable software. However, DVD camcorders record in one of two formats: DVD-R - which will work in most DVD Players - but can only be recorded on once; or DVD-RAM, which can be used for multiple recordings but which, at present, fewer DVD Players will accommodate.

HDD or Hard Disc Drive Camcorders

These camcorders record digital video directly onto an internal hard drive.  Most have the capacity to record up to 7 hours or more, making them ideal for consumers wishing to film events without having to switch out tapes.  Once the drive is full however, content must be downloaded before the camcorder can be used again.

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