30Nov/090
Camcorder Buying Guide
When shopping for a camcorder, it is important that you think about what you will be using the camcorder for. Will you be recording videos to watch on your HDTV, or do you just plan on sharing your homemade movies with others over the Internet? How you answer these types of questions will determine what camcorder is right for you.
The first thing you need to know about camcorders is that there are three main types available. The thing that distinguishes one camcorder from another is the way they save the videos you record.
The first type, and currently the most popular is miniDV. These camcorders record videos by storing data onto a small cassette. The advantages of miniDV camcorders are that you can record your videos in an uncompressed format, therefore giving you higher quality videos (because video quality goes down as it is compressed). Also, you can usually find blank miniDV cassettes with ease at local stores when you away from home and need more space to save those precious memories.
The second type is the DVD camcorder. These camcorders record videos by storing data onto mini DVDs. One of the main advantages of DVD camcorders is the fact that you can take the mini DVD disc out and play it on almost any DVD player. Also, just like the miniDV cassettes, the small DVDs that these camcorders record on are becoming widely available so you won't have to worry about not having enough memory while you are way from home.
And last but not least, there are the HDD (Hard Drive) camcorders. These cams record directly onto an internal hard drive, giving you a lot more storage space than a miniDV cassette or DVD disc would. Typically, these types of camcorders have a memory slot available in addition to the hard drive, allowing you to buy a memory card if you were run out of storage space. Remember that the data on the camcorder's hard drive can be transferred over to your computer and deleted off of the camcorder if you need to free up memory.
Now that you know the three main types of camcorders that are available on the market today, look below and find what our product specialists recommend our customers to look for before buying any type of camcorder.
Optical/Digital Zoom: If you plan on getting close ups of distant objects, you should consider a camcorder with a high optical zoom and digital zoom level. Note that optical zoom and digital zoom are very different from one another. The optical zoom level is the amount by which the lens of the camcorder actually adjusts, while digital zoom is merely a magnification of the existing image. A high digital zoom rating doesn't do all that much for you because you loose a significant amount of quality when zooming at high levels. Focus more upon the optical zoom a camcorder has to offer, where quality loss isn't much of an issue.
Still Image Pictures: If you want a camcorder that can take pictures as well as record video, make sure it has a still image feature. When a camcorder is able to capture still images, it can almost doubles as a digital camera. But don't expect the same high quality pictures from a camcorder to compare with what you would get with a standalone digital camera, as camcorders aren't made specifically for the purpose of taking pictures.
Storage Space: It is important that you consider the storage space available if you plan on getting an HDD (Hard Drive) camcorder. You don't take this factor into consideration for miniDV or DVD camcorders because their storage spaced is measured by the amount of cassettes or DVDs they have to record on, while the storage space of an HDD camcorder is measured by how large the hard drive is. Note that some HDD camcorders have a memory slot, which allows you to connect a memory card to record on if you were to need more space.
Editing Software: If you want the ability to edit your videos, see if the camcorder comes with editing software included. With video editing software, you can add special effects to your homemade movies making them more enjoyable.
Playback Options: With most camcorders, you can connect the cam directly into the AV inputs of your TV for playback. With the DVD camcorders you can also play the mini DVDs on most DVD players. Playback is also possible through your computer whenever the camera is connected.
LCD Screen Size: The screen size of the LCD may be of importance to you. It is typically easier to frame what you want in the shot with a larger LCD to view, and it also makes watching your videos on the cam itself more enjoyable.
Digital Image Stabilization: Image stabilization is definitely a feature you should consider when purchasing a camcorder unless you plan on recording on a tripod most of the time. If a cam has image stabilization technology, it will reduce the amount of movement of the shot because of shaky hands. This can make your videos much more enjoyable, and won't make you dizzy from watching homemade videos ever again!
Computer Connection: Most miniDV camcorders connect to a computer through an IEEE 1394 jack (also called Firewire or i. Link). DVD camcorders typically connect via USB, and HDD camcorders can be connected with any of the two. Make sure your computer has the appropriate jack so you will be able to transfer your videos without the need of an adapter.
Definitions:
Optical Zoom: Magnifying an image with an adjustment of the lens without reducing the quality or resolution.
Digital Zoom: Magnifying the center of an image by enlarging the already present information (from the picture) resulting in a loss of resolution.
AV Inputs: Audio and Video Inputs, which transfer the audio and video information from one electronic device to another.
Image Stabilization: Technology that reduces shakiness in motion pictures or blur in still pictures in Camcorders and Cameras.
USB (Universal Serial Bus): Connection port on a computer that is universally compatible with many types of electronic devices.
30Nov/090
Camcorder – a Portable Video Camera
Camcorders are portable devices for electronically recording video and audio through an in- built recorder unit. They differ from the previous units in which the recording and audio devices were separate. Today, a camcorder is a combination of video camera and a video recorder.
Previously, companies such as Sony, JVC and Kodak, etc. used analog video tapes. Since 1990 the digital tape came into use and three years hence, the storage tapes were being replaced by optical disks, hard disk drives and solid state memory. Camcorders, which do not use magnetic tapes, are called `tape-less` while those using two different media, like HDD and Memory card, are called `Hybrid Camcorders`.
Technological advancement has miniaturized the large cameras on specially mounted trolleys to portable video cameras and recorders for broadcasting images. This transition started in 1982 when JVC and Sony released the first professional camcorders. The Betacam, designed by Sony, slowly gained popularity and became the standard device for both news gathering and video editing. This was followed by Betamax in 1983 - the first consumer camcorder. At this stage, they were bulky and generally rested on the user`s shoulder during recording. Even today most camcorders are designed for right-hand users with very few possessing ambidextrous ergonomics.
Both JVC and Sony started improving the quality of camcorders which led to the development of digital devices in 1990. These had cassettes even smaller than the 8mm media allowing further reduction of size of tape transport assembly. The digital variety further improved the audio and video quality over the best analog camcorders. With the advent of digital models, the market has grown substantially being facilitated further by its price and size reduction. Today a device fits in the palm and is sold at a retail price of less than $150.
Camcorders comprise of three basic components : lens, imager and recorder. The lens solely focuses and gathers light on the imager. The imager is the eye of the camcorder which converts captured images into electrical video signals. The recorder encodes the video signals into storable form. The lens offers professional control of all major optical functions such as aperture, shutter speed and focus, etc. The recorder function is responsible for writing the video signal onto a recording medium (magnetic video tape).
Camcorders are normally classified by their storage device. The highest quality digital format such as Betacam and Mini DV, etc., suffer from little generation loss during recording, dubbing and editing. In analog recordings, noise and bandwidth issues relating to cables, amplifiers and mixers are a problem while in digital connections such problems are minimized.
However archival problems continue to affect both analog and the digital varieties. They are both prone to tape format deterioration over time. This is more acute in the digital recordings where large data base is permanently erased owing to deterioration and restoration is very expensive. One of the advantages in analog devices is that the recording may be usable even after the media, in which the data is stored, suffers deterioration.
Consumer camcorders emphasize the basic qualities such as easy usage, price and portability rather than technical performances. Such units offer a wide range of I/O operation but lack various menu settings, video exposures, gain controls and sound level management. For beginners, basic recording and playback facilities are emphasized. Today a personal computer, with a modest configuration, can perform digital video editing with software available in the market.
Camcorders have a plethora of usage in electronic media ranging from electronic news organizations to TV / current affair production. They are invaluable for initial video footage in locations away from the distribution infrastructure. Events which have scheduled set timings, such as official press conferences, use camcorders extensively. They are also used for covering personal events such as weddings, birthdays and other special family gatherings.
Even in the political arena, camcorder is used to film events which have a bearing on the subject. Protesters from various fields, such as animal rights, tax, anti-globalization, war and police, use camcorders to record and film such events which have wide social and historical ramifications. Even some judicial decisions are based on video footages exposed by such devices. They are also used in low budget films, ad shoots, tv shows and for academic film making, etc.
This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/filmadora.php
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br
30Nov/090
Simple Guide to Buying a Camcorder
Ten years ago the only video cameras that were available were the analog type that were so big and bulky that they had to be carted around on a trolley while professionals used them to shoot video for television. Camcorders have come a long way, they are smaller, slimmer, user-friendly and have tons of options that are available on many different models. Also with today's digital technology comes the digital camcorder, which makes shooting and editing a movie a simple and fun activity for many people.
When buying a camcorder it is important to choose one that fits with you. Store counters are filled with a great variety of brands and models each with an array of features and formats. It is important to understand these features when buying a camcorder and buying the right camcorder which fits your purpose and budget.
The following guide to buying a camcorder details these features and will give you the guidance needed to buy the right camcorder the first time.
While analog camcorders still exist, digital camcorders are the camcorders of the day. Digital camcorders provide a superb recording quality by recording audio and video digitally without any loss in quality. In fact the quality far outweighs analog in yielding excellent color and clarity with 500 lines of resolution. And while digital camcorders are more expensive than analog, the price difference has shrunk enough in the past couple of years to make it very worthwhile to purchase the digital type.
Digital camcorders display recorded images by using the fantastic flat LCD screen feature. These screens can be rotated about 290 degrees along the vertical line, and horizontally about 90 degrees. These screens have made digital camcorders very popular with consumers since the recording process becomes so easy and fun when you are able to see what is being recorded on the LCD screen in real time. Also it is important to note that the DVD camcorders LCD displays a list of the recorded scenes for quick, easy searching.
When buying a camcorder you want to get an LCD screen that is as large as you can afford. The larger the screen the more you can see what you are recording in real time. One thing to keep in mind is the larger the screen the more battery power it will draw.
Another feature of LCD screens is the viewfinder, which is intended for shooting in bright sunlight and helps to save power. The panel size of LCD screens is presented in inches ranging from 1.8 to 3.5 inch screens
Camcorders have two types of zoom capabilities, digital and optical, and many camcorders come with both. The digital zoom enlarges images by magnifying the actual pixels. The finished image is thus affected and lacks clear definition. Pixilation is the term that defines this process of blurring. This option can be turned off on most models of camcorders and should be for optimal image quality.
The optical zoom feature actually utilizes the movement of the lens. The focal length is changed and image that passes through the lens is captured with optical zoom. Higher optical zoom ratings give better image quality.
Very often the audio that is recorded with your camcorder is just as important as the video. Mostly camcorders have the same audio quality. Some problems may occur, such as recording of tape motor noise, no sound at all, noise from hand movement and even times when the camcorder will record the wrong thing. The best thing you can do when buying a camcorder is to look for options, and make sure that the camcorder has a microphone jack to which you can attach an external microphone as opposed to relying on the camcorders internal microphone. An external microphone will be of great benefit at those times when you are recording something like a concert, wedding or graduation speech because the external microphone will allow you adjust the channels to fit with the sound levels you are recording.
There are several media formats available with digital camcorders. When buying a camcorder this feature is very important to look at and choose the right format that fits your needs and budget. This is the feature which determines how the video is recorded and what kind of storage device is used.
DVD Camcorders - Before discussing the actual DVD media camcorders, first let's take a look at the different types of DVD formats of which there are three: DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM. DVD-R is a recordable DVD format with a write-once only capability. DVD-RW is a recordable DVD but it allows rewrites and so provides unlimited writing to same disk. DVD-RAM - DVD Random Access Memory is a DVD disc, which can be recorded with information, erased, and recorded again. DVD-RAM is considered a highly reliable format, as the discs have built-in error control and a defect management system. Therefore, DVD-RAM is perceived to be better than the other DVD technologies.
There are two versions of DVD camcorders. The first one works with rewritable DVD-RAM discs requiring a DVD player with RAM playback or a PC with a DVD-RAM drive. The second works by using the more popular DVD-RW and DVD-R discs that work with most ordinary DVD players and allow for actual recording of images to the DVD disk. A great feature of this recording format is the ability to edit in-camera and with repeated playbacks the disk does not degrade.
MiniDV Camcorders are types of camcorder that store recorded data to MiniDV cassettes. The video and sound quality is exceptionally good. The MiniDV camcorders are small, sleek and stylish because of the small size of MiniDV cassettes.
MicroMV digital camcorders use tapes that are much smaller than MiniDV tapes and also use more of compression technology. The MicroMV is compressed much more that the MiniDV and records very high quality video as well as possess the capability of full digital editing. The MicroMV is also very compact, lightweight and ultra small.
Flash Media Camcorders record images to an internal Flash drive and Flash Memory cards. Flash Memory cards include: SD, Compact Flash, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Duo.
HDD Camcorders, or hard disk drive camcorders are compact and record in MPEG-2 video as well as other encoded formats and recorded data is stored to an internal hard disk. The upside of this format is the ability to store huge amounts of video data by using compression. The video is saved to the internal hard disc within the camcorder and then downloaded to a computer and burnt onto to a DVD. The HDD camcorder has no moving parts and so there is less chance of mechanical breakdown.
Digital 8 Camcorders record digital video to Hi-8 videotapes. Digital 8 is a consumer digital videotape format developed by Sony, and introduced in 1999. Digital8 equipment uses the same videocassettes as analog Hi8 equipment, but differs in that the audio/video signal is encoded digitally. Picture quality is fairly good and this format allows playback of analog videotapes recorded on Hi-8 camcorders.
VHS Camcorders are types of camcorders that record video digitally to VHS videotapes. Picture quality is good and this format allows playback of analog videotapes.
HDV Camcorders, are the newest standard in high definition recording and viewing. High Definition Video camcorders usually utilize MiniDV tapes or Hard Disk Drives which yields a full high definition 1920 by 1080 resolution. This resolution provides a superb high-def video picture quality, which looks great on a high definition television. When buying a camcorder with this capability it is important to know that for editing high-def video a computer is required with a fast processor and lots of memory to meet the requirements of video editing software.
Hitachi has manufactured the world's first full HD digital camcorder which both records and saves image data in the Full HD format on both the hard drive and on Blu-ray Discs, which are the next standard for recordable media.
When buying a camcorder a key feature to consider is built in stabilization. Unless you are shooting video with the camcorder sitting on a tripod, which most home users do not do for everyday shoots, the hand must be stable while holding the camera to avoid image distortion caused by unsteadiness or jerking of the hand. This feature helps to fix these errors caused by jerking of the camera in the hand while shooting.
The stabilization feature comes in two types, Optical and Electronic. Superior to the electronic technique, the Optical Image Stabilization technique is where a part of the lens is moved in the camcorder to compensate for the shake.
With the Electronic Image Stabilization technique the camcorders internal computer shifts the image electronically in the opposite direction of the shake. This is achieved by slightly zooming in on the image. Poor electronic techniques can cause loss of sharpness or resolution.
Controls and Camcorder Size. When buying a camcorder you do not want to compromise usability for size. While a small camcorder maybe cute and convenient to carry, it is important to make sure that it is also user-friendly. You want to be able to reach and use the controls of a camcorder with ease while recording, if the camcorder is so small that you cannot easily access the control buttons the recording experience will be hindered and it will also become a hassle.
The battery a digital camcorder uses is also a vital feature to consider when buying a camcorder. Does the camcorder come with a rechargeable battery? How long recording time is available on a fully charged battery? The best option is to purchase a camcorder which has a rechargeable battery. Generally different models of camcorders have different battery capacity which allow for varying amount of recording time on a fully charged battery.
The two most common rechargeable batteries are the NiCd and the Lithium Ion. The lithiums are usually preferred because they take a charge quicker, are lighter than others and have a longer life span. Most full charges give a battery 6 hours of life.
The brand of camcorder will of course play a role when buying a camcorder. There are plenty of manufacturers of digital camcorders including but not limited to Canon, Panasonic, Sony Hitachi, JVC and Sharp. Canon has some of the best high-def machines on that market today, JVC has a couple of great budget models and Sony is best known for their handycam, which provides superb picture quality in compact machine.
In the end, the most important factor to consider when buying a camcorder is your personal use, the features you desire and price. Ratings of brands are available and the list of key features and specifications should be looked at to determine if the brand and model fits your needs and budget.
Digital camcorders are not cheap, in fact they are often thought of as a hefty investment that could range anywhere between $280 to over $2500 retail price. Something to consider is that in todays world with the Internet providing a stage where millions of sellers and merchants compete for your business it is easy to save significant amounts of money by avoiding retail merchants and purchasing discount digital camcorders.
To learn more about digital camcorders and to browse and buy all models and brands of Discount Digital Camcorders please visit: JR's Discount Digital Camcorders
30Nov/090
CAMCORDER EVOLUTION filmer camera T Grey XL
- Screenprinted Design
- 190 g/m2
- 100 % Cotton
Product Description
Our Styles are made by young designers, screenprinted. They come with high quality clothings. So you will enjoy your new shirt for a long time.
CAMCORDER EVOLUTION filmer camera T Grey XL
30Nov/090
Professional Hd Video Camera: What Should You Buy?
A professional HD video camera is one of the must-haves of avid filmmakers. These video cameras are the hottest item when it comes to the film-making or documentation industry. There are so many high definition camcorders in the market that are available but only a few are noteworthy. These are the:
- Canon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder, - Sony HDR-FX7 Camcorder, - JVC GYHD110U MiniDV Camcorder, and; - Panasonic AG-HVX200.
The Canon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder
This miniature version of the Canon XL H1 performs like its big brother, the Canon XLH1DV. It has a low light performance which is a good feature for a professional HD video camera. However, being small has its drawbacks. It has no lens interchangeability unlike the bigger version. Customers are somewhat skeptical with the 30F and 24F frame rates too but some are finding it easy to adjust to. It also has a bad eyecup design and is quite heavy for a video camera. Nevertheless, this is still good for ENGs, budget documentarians, student filmmakers.
The Sony HDR-FX7 Camcorder
The Sony FX7 is labeled as the company's consumer camcorder. It has a clear VID CMOS sensors which make a fantastic impression in bright light. Under low light conditions, the performance disappointingly falls to pieces. It can however, omit XLR inputs and external audio level controls.
The JVC GYHD110U MiniDV Camcorder
This camcorder's lens interchangeability and size is almost the same with the Canon XH-A1 HDV. It has a standard Fujinon 16x ProHD Lens. It comes with true progressive video at 720p but it doesn't offer interlaced video recording options. The resolution is close to XH A1's resolution. If you are the type of shooter who prefers larger camcorders and lens flexibility, buy a JVC GYHD110U.
Panasonic AG-HVX200
This camcorder uses the proprietary P2 tapeless recording system. It is able to record DVCPRO video DV tapes, but can only be recorded using Panasonic's solid state P2 memory cards or an external DTE drive like non-tape media. By using the P2 Cards, you can record non-stop and reduce the tape transfer time because of the camcorders 2 swappable P2 slots. The camcorder relies on pixel shifting to raise the resolution of its 3 1/3 " CCDs from 500k gross pixel count to a high definition resolution.
Different filmmakers have different professional HD video camera needs. The decision is yours to make. It is up to the aspiring filmmaker to decide which camera will cater to his or her needs more. Is the camera worth the price? That is for the filmmaker to judge.
Find the best professional HD video camera for your needs. Read more HD video camera info online.