Digital camcorders record information in electronic, or digital, form, to a range of digital storage media, including tape, DVD and hard disk.
Key Features
Popular recording formats for digital video, nowadays, include Mini DV tape, Mini DVD and hard disk drive (HDD) storage, akin to that used in computing technology. Mini DV tape is becoming scarcer, but, nevertheless, still provides arguably the highest video quality, and easiest editing. Mini DVD camcorders record to special DVD disks, 8cm in diameter, which are compatible with many, but not all, domestic DVD players. Mini DVD files are more difficult to edit than those recorded to Mini DV. Hard disk drive digital camcorders may allow up to 7 hours, or more, of highest quality video to be recorded, and files can be manipulated, and deleted, in the same way as they are on a computer.
The performance of a camcorder in low levels of light is often what sets a good model apart from a lesser model. This performance is determined by the size, and other characteristics, of an image sensor, known as a CCD (“Charge Coupled Device”), or CMOS (“Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor”). The larger the image sensor, the more light that can be admitted, and the brighter and more colourful the resulting image(s). Consumer camcorders normally contain a CCD between 1/6 and 1/3 of an inch in size. The Mustek 8200 model, for example, offers a 3.0 mega pixel CMOS sensor, and a maximum resolution of 8.0 mega pixels.
When it come to actually shooting video footage, a large, integrated LCD (“Liquid Crystal Display”) screen can make it easier to see what you are recording, particularly in situation where using the viewfinder if difficult, or impracticable. An LCD screen can also be used to play back video footage, once it has been recorded. Most LCD screens are around 2.5 inches, measured diagonally, although screens as large as 3.5 inches are available. A larger screen inevitably means a larger camcorder, and probably a higher price tag, too. The Mustek DV535A model, for example, features a 2.4 inch TFT LCD screen.
The size and weight of a digital camcorder determine how easy it is to carry around – and, therefore, possibly, how often you take it with you, and use it – and how easy it is to physically operate. The emphasis on smaller and smaller camcorders means that price may, in fact, be inversely proportionate to size, despite tiny camcorders having fewer features and less accessible controls.
Conclusion
Specifications can be useful in helping to narrow down your choice of digital camcorder to a manageable number, based on your available budget, but there really is no substitute for physically getting your hands on your chosen camcorder. This allows you, for example, to feel the weight of the camcorder, and to check that its controls are large enough for your fingers. Bear in mind, too, that unless you intend to use a tripod, some form of image stabilisation – digital, or better still, optical – will probably be required.
Alicia Taylor is a researcher and writer on electronics, financial and business topics.
e-tailers such as 3 Wisemonkeys now offer a guide to buying digital cameras & camcorders. As well as producing quick guides such as the one above, 3 Wise Monkeys will respond to individual queries and offers detailed buying advice over the phone with no pressure to purchase.
Camcorder, as the name suggests is a device that combines both a video camera and a video recorder in a single unit. As compared to its previous technology that used separate devices for recording audio and video, a camcorder has a built-in recorder unit for recording both audio and video.
From the early generation of camcorder that used digital tape to store data to the more advanced ones that use non-removable media like hard disk drives to store, the camcorder has come a long way in the direction of technology and performance. The latest and sophisticated camcorders use two different storage media such as built-in HDD and memory card.
Major components:
Lens, imager and recorder are the three major components of the camcorders. Lens encompasses aperture, zoom and shutter. In a professional camcorder the lens is manually controlled for all optical functions. However, in a consumer unit it is generally controlled by the electronics of the camcorder. The prime function of lens is to gather and focus light on the imager. When the image is projected on the imager through the camera lens the light is converted to an electronic video signal. And last but not the least, it is the function of the recorder to write the video-signals to the recording medium. However, the record controlling system of the camcorders allows the user to control the device.
Classification:
The camcorders are classified as digital and analogue basing on their storage devices. The analogue components are with imager-chip. Betamax, VHS, Video8 are example of camcorders with analogue storage form. However, the digital camcorders include MiniDV, DVD, hard drive, digital8 as their memory. The digital storage allows perfect resolution of video without any colour jitter or fade. There are some camcorders using flash memory devices, small hard disks and Microdrives.
While considering the classification of camcorders according to consumer and professional aspects, the consumer camcorders emphasize on features like portability, price and ease of use. However, the professional camcorders excel in technical performance. They have many manually controlled technologies that the consumer camcorders lack despite of having ample of I/O options.
Uses of Camcorders:
Home:
Camcorders have become one of the popular gadgets in many homes like many other electronic devices. Unlike still photography a video coverage of personal celebrations like wedding, birthday and other personal events can make the memory live forever.
Media:
Any electronic media showcasing news, special events or any other live telecast can not do without camcorders. Camcorders have been proved as a feasible device to record and store events that can be telecasted from the studio later on.
Entertainment:
In many TV channels, where low budget TV shows are the target, camcorders feasibly cater to the requirements.
Politics:
The political protesters use camcorder as a useful device to make their point strong on the basis of proof. These days, even the police are using camcorders during riots or protests to track the troublemaker and take action against the real culprit.
A camcorder allows recording of video staring from 30 mins with VHS-C and mini DVD camcorders to several hours with hard disk and flash drive camcorders. The important mechanism involved in camcorders allows watching the recorded video on the device itself. The VHS-C tapes and the mini DVDs can be viewed using VCR and DVD player respectively. Camcorders with Hi8, Flash drive or hard disk require television to view the video or the video can be uploaded to the computer using video editing program.
Today, many brands of camcorders are available with different models. The change of technology has enhanced the features of camcorders in the aspect of performance, compactness and feasibility. The accessories are, to a large extent, responsible for the increasing functionality of the high-end device. For a novice user of camcorder, it is advisable to gather adequate knowledge before purchasing the sophisticated gadget.
You can have access to portuguese articles about camcorders from page Camcorder
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil
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