There are so many types of camcorders available in the market today that it becomes difficult to be sure about which one to buy. Very often, the price, brand name and a few such basics become the only parameters that help one decide from the array of camcorders that are available today. However, one can go a step further. One can get information about various camcorders and then decide what is best suited for each person's requirements.
For starters, magazines and Web sites that compare camcorders based on various criteria are invaluable guides in helping one choose a camcorder.
There are various parameters that are to be kept in mind while comparing camcorders. First of all, decide whether you want a digital or an analogue camcorder. This is an easy decision to make. What way is the world going? Digital, right? Obviously there are many reasons that can prompt one to choose a digital camcorder over analogue ones.
Primarily, the quality of picture and sound in digital camcorders is heads above the analogue ones. Digital camcorders offer better options for editing picture and sound. There is no noise and no loss of quality with subsequent copies in a digital camcorder. Besides, they are easy to carry and store, and the digital files are easy to transfer. Digital camcorders are often a cheaper alternative.
Whether one wants to go for a cheap or an expensive camcorder depends totally on the individual's requirement and his or her budget. If the need is for home video shoots only, a cheap camcorder can serve the purpose. However, a good camcorder deck with various editing options cannot be compromised if the camcorder is intended for professional use.
It is very important to look at the features of various camcorders that are available on the market, before selecting one. Each camcorder comes with different features. The basic ones come with the essential capabilities of recording and editing. The more expensive ones are rich in features and are laden with facilities like picture and sound enhancements, night recording, higher zoom capacities and other features.
The comparison of the sales and support provided by one company with that of the other can also help one to come to a correct conclusion about the camcorder one will eventually buy.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Professional Camcorders
There are a many formats of professional camcorders available on the market today. A good level of video awareness is required before one can decide to invest in a professional camcorder. However there is no denying the fact that professional camcorders give one the best possible video and audio quality.
DV, DVCAM and DVPRO are the three main formats for professional camcorders available in the market. They are also the most popular.
Of the three, DV is the most popular. Most electronic manufacturers as well as mainstream and professional editing software packages are DV compatible. Owing to its popularity, the pricing for DV formats are also competitive in the market.
DVCAM and DVPRO are professional formats and not all manufacturers make it. DVCAM is made by Sony and Ikegami while Panasonic, Philips, Ikegami and Hitachi make DVPRO. Both of them are equally professional. Both these formats have true drop frame and non-drop frame time code. (This is important if one is planning to shoot professional videos for theatrical release.) The main difference between the formats is their sampling rate.
There are a few factors that can help one decide which format to choose of the professional camcorder options. The most important is the optical quality of the lens. The ability to change lenses easily and good optical zoom (digital zoom is not good for quality) are of prime importance. Also, a professional needs to know the optics, expansion potential, interoperability and lens specification in the professional camcorder that one wants to buy.
Another important factor is the CCD (charged coupled devices), which is the chip in a camcorder that captures light and converts images into pixels to process the video into a digital format. Professional camcorders come with around 3 CCDs. This is one of the prime factors that will determine the quality of the final video that is shot.
There is a wide range of professional camcorders available today. However, the point to keep in mind here is that branded professional camcorders are the best since the products have a longer life, better support and features for professional shoots.
DV, DVCAM and DVPRO are the three main formats for professional camcorders available in the market. They are also the most popular.
Of the three, DV is the most popular. Most electronic manufacturers as well as mainstream and professional editing software packages are DV compatible. Owing to its popularity, the pricing for DV formats are also competitive in the market.
DVCAM and DVPRO are professional formats and not all manufacturers make it. DVCAM is made by Sony and Ikegami while Panasonic, Philips, Ikegami and Hitachi make DVPRO. Both of them are equally professional. Both these formats have true drop frame and non-drop frame time code. (This is important if one is planning to shoot professional videos for theatrical release.) The main difference between the formats is their sampling rate.
There are a few factors that can help one decide which format to choose of the professional camcorder options. The most important is the optical quality of the lens. The ability to change lenses easily and good optical zoom (digital zoom is not good for quality) are of prime importance. Also, a professional needs to know the optics, expansion potential, interoperability and lens specification in the professional camcorder that one wants to buy.
Another important factor is the CCD (charged coupled devices), which is the chip in a camcorder that captures light and converts images into pixels to process the video into a digital format. Professional camcorders come with around 3 CCDs. This is one of the prime factors that will determine the quality of the final video that is shot.
There is a wide range of professional camcorders available today. However, the point to keep in mind here is that branded professional camcorders are the best since the products have a longer life, better support and features for professional shoots.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Top Camcorders
Among the different models and formats of camcorders in the market, some models and formats are better than others. This is because as new technology is developed, camcorders are equipped with a number of features that allow for better recording, better resolution and easier editing. Among the current crop of camcorders, digital camcorders rate the best. However, there are many digital camcorders available and some are better than others. Among digital cameras, the mini digital video camcorders (Mini DV) are at the top of the list.
Mini DV camcorders have a number of advantages over some digital camcorders. One of the most obvious is these camcorders are very compact, making them more convenient to carry around. In addition, they have features that make the editing process easier and faster. Mini DV camcorders can be purchased from electronics stores, catalogs and online. Usually, they are sold by brand and according to r features that make it easier to search for one that fits your need and budget.
Among the different manufacturers of digital camcorders are Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. They offer some of the better mini DV camcorders, with Sony leading the market. Sony offers the best features at very affordable prices. Panasonic has great features, as well including three CCDs. Canon is also a popular brand offer similar features as those of Sony and Panasonic. Purchasing a camcorder from one of these companies will cost around $600 or more, depending on the features you select. The warranties on these brands is also quite comprehensive.
Mini DV camcorders have a number of advantages over some digital camcorders. One of the most obvious is these camcorders are very compact, making them more convenient to carry around. In addition, they have features that make the editing process easier and faster. Mini DV camcorders can be purchased from electronics stores, catalogs and online. Usually, they are sold by brand and according to r features that make it easier to search for one that fits your need and budget.
Among the different manufacturers of digital camcorders are Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. They offer some of the better mini DV camcorders, with Sony leading the market. Sony offers the best features at very affordable prices. Panasonic has great features, as well including three CCDs. Canon is also a popular brand offer similar features as those of Sony and Panasonic. Purchasing a camcorder from one of these companies will cost around $600 or more, depending on the features you select. The warranties on these brands is also quite comprehensive.
Face Recognition Technology Facts
Camcorder technology continues to evolve as we move into the latter part of the decade. Several new models were introduced at the recent consumer electronics show, and the big news is that face recognition technology has arrived on the camcorder scene. Sony and Panasonic have already released models offering this technology, with more to come later this year.
Face Recognition Technology Facts
Face recognition and face detection technology offers a big plus for still photographers. In essence, it allows the photographer to have an auto correct feature for common facial image photography problems. Introduced a few years ago, face recognition technology is now quite common in digital cameras.
What this means to camcorder owners is that in these new models, facial images will automatically be adjusted for light exposure, thereby clarifying facial features and eliminating under exposure or over exposure. This is done through automatic correcting technology for focus, image balance, and color balance.
Two Companies Introduce First New Models
Panasonic and Sony are the first two companies taking advantage of this technological breakthrough. Sony's high end model HDR-SR10 and Panasonic's HDC-SD9 are two examples of new 2008 offerings with face detection built in. Interestingly, Panasonic was one of the last companies to roll out face detection technology in their cameras, choosing to wait until they felt their models were best in class.
What This Means To You
If you decide to buy one of these new models, you'll notice a great deal more clarity in facial images. Specifically, you can expect the common problem of excess light exposure to be practically eliminated. Other notable improvements will be color balance and overall sharpness in facial images.
While Sony and Panasonic are leading the way, expect other companies to roll out similar models in both 2008 and 2009. It remains to be seen where price points for these models will eventually level off. For now though, the Panasonic HDC-SD9 retails for $799, with Sony's model HDR-SR10 in the same neighborhood.
Face Recognition Technology Facts
Face recognition and face detection technology offers a big plus for still photographers. In essence, it allows the photographer to have an auto correct feature for common facial image photography problems. Introduced a few years ago, face recognition technology is now quite common in digital cameras.
What this means to camcorder owners is that in these new models, facial images will automatically be adjusted for light exposure, thereby clarifying facial features and eliminating under exposure or over exposure. This is done through automatic correcting technology for focus, image balance, and color balance.
Two Companies Introduce First New Models
Panasonic and Sony are the first two companies taking advantage of this technological breakthrough. Sony's high end model HDR-SR10 and Panasonic's HDC-SD9 are two examples of new 2008 offerings with face detection built in. Interestingly, Panasonic was one of the last companies to roll out face detection technology in their cameras, choosing to wait until they felt their models were best in class.
What This Means To You
If you decide to buy one of these new models, you'll notice a great deal more clarity in facial images. Specifically, you can expect the common problem of excess light exposure to be practically eliminated. Other notable improvements will be color balance and overall sharpness in facial images.
While Sony and Panasonic are leading the way, expect other companies to roll out similar models in both 2008 and 2009. It remains to be seen where price points for these models will eventually level off. For now though, the Panasonic HDC-SD9 retails for $799, with Sony's model HDR-SR10 in the same neighborhood.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Guides To Know About Camcorders
If there ever was a product that failed to live up to it's potential, the Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder was that product. Small, easy to use, YouTube friendly, and everyone is doing the video thing these days. The Flip Video got all kinds of media love from USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and even Oprah used a Flip Video on her show. It's truly a great idea whose time has come, and people are buying them up, in spite of all their problems. Speaking of their problems, lets have a look shall we.
Shooting videos with the Flip Video, and viewing them on the camera seems to work fine. The problem comes once you attach the the video camera to your PC or MAC. Problems include intermittent uploading of videos. Meaning, sometimes videos upload and sometimes they don't . Sometimes only a few will upload, and sometimes none. In addition uploads can be painfully slow. Some consumers have reported complete computer crashes while attempting to load their videos. Even MAC users have seen their virtually bullet proof systems crash when hooked up to a Flip Video. Pure Digital, the company behind the camcorder has been madly releasing software, and firmware updates for Flip Video. Some of the patches do seem to be helping.
The other thing to consider is the quality of the video you plan on creating. The Flip Video, probably creates quality slightly better videos than most cell phones, but not as good as the videos from a decent digital still camera. It seems to be geared to the YouTube crowd, as that's about where the quality of the videos seem to fit. If your looking to shoot family and friends videos you want as keepsakes, it's probably better to go with a dedicated camcorder. If your only a casual video shooter, than maybe you should spend a few extra bucks on your digital still camera, and make sure it's got good video features.
I don't mean to pick on the Flip Video too much, but there are a few other smaller problems as well:
- Small size of unit can be cumbersome for people with larger adult size hands.
- Interface is not as simple to use as it should be.
- Customer service unable to keep up due to the popularity of the camera, and numerous software problems.
- Lens quality and placement make it prone to scratching.
Shooting videos with the Flip Video, and viewing them on the camera seems to work fine. The problem comes once you attach the the video camera to your PC or MAC. Problems include intermittent uploading of videos. Meaning, sometimes videos upload and sometimes they don't . Sometimes only a few will upload, and sometimes none. In addition uploads can be painfully slow. Some consumers have reported complete computer crashes while attempting to load their videos. Even MAC users have seen their virtually bullet proof systems crash when hooked up to a Flip Video. Pure Digital, the company behind the camcorder has been madly releasing software, and firmware updates for Flip Video. Some of the patches do seem to be helping.
The other thing to consider is the quality of the video you plan on creating. The Flip Video, probably creates quality slightly better videos than most cell phones, but not as good as the videos from a decent digital still camera. It seems to be geared to the YouTube crowd, as that's about where the quality of the videos seem to fit. If your looking to shoot family and friends videos you want as keepsakes, it's probably better to go with a dedicated camcorder. If your only a casual video shooter, than maybe you should spend a few extra bucks on your digital still camera, and make sure it's got good video features.
I don't mean to pick on the Flip Video too much, but there are a few other smaller problems as well:
- Small size of unit can be cumbersome for people with larger adult size hands.
- Interface is not as simple to use as it should be.
- Customer service unable to keep up due to the popularity of the camera, and numerous software problems.
- Lens quality and placement make it prone to scratching.
Batteries For The Use Of Digital Camcorder
Digital camcorders of today have come along with highly efficient batteries that last longer and give you the utmost satisfaction. Camcorder makers in the recent years have striven ahead in making the battery life longer and longer. Thus, the hassle of charging your battery every time you need to shoot is minimized.
Reputable camcorder manufacturers like Sony, JVC, Panasonic, and Canon are now competing to give you a better battery performer. Meanwhile, the sizes of these camcorders—whether a DVD format or not–are getting smaller and smaller each day. With miniaturization arises the problem: a small camcorder means a smaller battery that would need to remain charged for a longer time span.
Most of these models, however, run on lithium batteries that not only last longer but also give better results. Professional camcorders, from the Sony or Canon genre for example, do give up to a three-year warranty on their batteries. But the market has something else to offer as well: unbranded but great performers. Lithium batteries made by less-reputed brands also work well. Thus, professional shooters as well as amateurs are increasingly depending upon these versions after the original battery dies out, as the less well-known brands are cheaper and continue to give the same output.
But while purchasing these unbranded batteries from a retail outlet in your city or from an online store, take caution. You need to understand few criteria. You should compare prices and warranties, if available, on the battery. The credibility of the online store or the manufacturer and the longevity of the power provider can be of much help to you. It has occurred many a time that people have simply paid for a particular battery on the web and are still finding it difficult to have it delivered.
Reputable camcorder manufacturers like Sony, JVC, Panasonic, and Canon are now competing to give you a better battery performer. Meanwhile, the sizes of these camcorders—whether a DVD format or not–are getting smaller and smaller each day. With miniaturization arises the problem: a small camcorder means a smaller battery that would need to remain charged for a longer time span.
Most of these models, however, run on lithium batteries that not only last longer but also give better results. Professional camcorders, from the Sony or Canon genre for example, do give up to a three-year warranty on their batteries. But the market has something else to offer as well: unbranded but great performers. Lithium batteries made by less-reputed brands also work well. Thus, professional shooters as well as amateurs are increasingly depending upon these versions after the original battery dies out, as the less well-known brands are cheaper and continue to give the same output.
But while purchasing these unbranded batteries from a retail outlet in your city or from an online store, take caution. You need to understand few criteria. You should compare prices and warranties, if available, on the battery. The credibility of the online store or the manufacturer and the longevity of the power provider can be of much help to you. It has occurred many a time that people have simply paid for a particular battery on the web and are still finding it difficult to have it delivered.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Cam Corder Technology - Usage Guide
Think for a moment, your are participating in an extraordinary wedding event and one of your primary responsibilities is to capture this exceptional day on your camcorder.
You start off by recording the events occasions that lead up to the ceremony itself, for instance the groom getting advice from his best man or the special conversation between the mother and her daughter the bride. Up until this point everything is going according to plans and you are filming the special and tender moments of this special wedding day. You are happy that is everything is going smoothly and are taking a high sense of pride in these special moment that you have been able capture on film for future generations.
The big moment comes and the Wedding March starts to play on the organ. The sudden to your shock, the red light on the side of your camcorder starts to flash which indicates that the remaining recording time is running short. Moments such as these can be highly nerve racking and unsettling if you have no extra tape to any kind of backup plan.
If you have a camcorder hard drive, on the other hand, any disappointment and confusion can be averted. One of the primary advantages of a camcorder hard drive is that you will have enough recording time available to you at any given time. Some additional advantages are that you get superior categorizing of films as well as ease of use.
Advantages
A camcorder hard drive may be best for a person that is an enthusiastic user of video camera in general, is looking to capture most if not all of your kids activities or just wish the best in superior technology. This type of technological video camera, with numerous other incorporated features, gives the ability to the user to store several hours of video within the camera itself. There are some cameras in this area that promote their storage ability up to 37 hours of video.
The clear and present advantages of this excess storage space keeps the user from concerning themselves about the amount of remaining video left. This type of worry free freedom provides for focusing on capturing the moments at hand and not concerning themselves with the technical side of things. In addition, there is no requirement for regular or frequent loading and unloading of a tape or disc.
Additionally, a supplemental benefit is the lessening in the added expense and trouble of purchasing a new disc or tape. By having your equipment incorporate a camcorder hard drive allows for added space to capture that unexpected or planned occasion without having to make and unexpected trip to buy and added disc or tape.
Categorizing
When you are complete with doing your recordings the video files of your camcorder hard drive can be transferred quite easily to your computers hard drive. This simplicity of transferring will permit simple installation and categorizing of your video shots. Additionally, the option of sending those videos over to DVD's is made available through this process.
With a camcorder hard drive, the simplicity of focusing in on that particular video footage is made much easier. The camcorder hard drive will supply specific icons on the disc that will give you the ability to find and access any particular scene that you want to view.
Ease of Use
A video camera incorporated with a camcorder hard drive has numerous options and characteristics that simplify the utilization of this large video storage unit. One of the options available to the user gives them the ability for the order of the play list to be altered. This option give the proud parent the ability to edit out any video that does not highlight their child.
The camcorder hard drive is also small in size and lightweight as well. These characteristics allow for ease of transportation for the equipment itself as well as minimizing the transportation of other accessories. Since the camcorder hard drive has a high capacity, it is not necessary to haul around added VHS tapes or discs to record the moments of your trip or other type of function.
You start off by recording the events occasions that lead up to the ceremony itself, for instance the groom getting advice from his best man or the special conversation between the mother and her daughter the bride. Up until this point everything is going according to plans and you are filming the special and tender moments of this special wedding day. You are happy that is everything is going smoothly and are taking a high sense of pride in these special moment that you have been able capture on film for future generations.
The big moment comes and the Wedding March starts to play on the organ. The sudden to your shock, the red light on the side of your camcorder starts to flash which indicates that the remaining recording time is running short. Moments such as these can be highly nerve racking and unsettling if you have no extra tape to any kind of backup plan.
If you have a camcorder hard drive, on the other hand, any disappointment and confusion can be averted. One of the primary advantages of a camcorder hard drive is that you will have enough recording time available to you at any given time. Some additional advantages are that you get superior categorizing of films as well as ease of use.
Advantages
A camcorder hard drive may be best for a person that is an enthusiastic user of video camera in general, is looking to capture most if not all of your kids activities or just wish the best in superior technology. This type of technological video camera, with numerous other incorporated features, gives the ability to the user to store several hours of video within the camera itself. There are some cameras in this area that promote their storage ability up to 37 hours of video.
The clear and present advantages of this excess storage space keeps the user from concerning themselves about the amount of remaining video left. This type of worry free freedom provides for focusing on capturing the moments at hand and not concerning themselves with the technical side of things. In addition, there is no requirement for regular or frequent loading and unloading of a tape or disc.
Additionally, a supplemental benefit is the lessening in the added expense and trouble of purchasing a new disc or tape. By having your equipment incorporate a camcorder hard drive allows for added space to capture that unexpected or planned occasion without having to make and unexpected trip to buy and added disc or tape.
Categorizing
When you are complete with doing your recordings the video files of your camcorder hard drive can be transferred quite easily to your computers hard drive. This simplicity of transferring will permit simple installation and categorizing of your video shots. Additionally, the option of sending those videos over to DVD's is made available through this process.
With a camcorder hard drive, the simplicity of focusing in on that particular video footage is made much easier. The camcorder hard drive will supply specific icons on the disc that will give you the ability to find and access any particular scene that you want to view.
Ease of Use
A video camera incorporated with a camcorder hard drive has numerous options and characteristics that simplify the utilization of this large video storage unit. One of the options available to the user gives them the ability for the order of the play list to be altered. This option give the proud parent the ability to edit out any video that does not highlight their child.
The camcorder hard drive is also small in size and lightweight as well. These characteristics allow for ease of transportation for the equipment itself as well as minimizing the transportation of other accessories. Since the camcorder hard drive has a high capacity, it is not necessary to haul around added VHS tapes or discs to record the moments of your trip or other type of function.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
3 Tips For Choosing A Digital Camcorder
Not too long ago digital camcorders were very pricey, and so most bought an analog camcorder instead, but as always technology marches on and what was expensive yesterday can be very affordable today. So it is with digital camcorders. They have a lot of advantages that make them the clear choice if you can afford it, and here are some tips on how to choose a digital camcorder:
* It's a good idea not to buy any camcorder until you have had a chance to actually hold and use it yourself. This is true because miniDV camcorders are the most popular camcorders out there, and they are so small that they may actually be too tiny for some folks with large hands to even use. They typically only weigh about a pound, and they can fit easily into the palm of your hand. So just imagine how difficult it can be for some to fiddle with the tiny controls and dials on these petite camcorders.
* Be sure that you understand the zoom feature and how it works so you get what you need when you buy. There two kinds of zooms used on digital camcorders, the optical zoom and the digital zoom. An optical zoom refers to the lens capability itself and zooms in on a subject before it is digitally recorded. The digital zoom is done by taking the digital image that has been recorded and magnifying it. What you need to know about this is that the optical zoom does not result in any video degradation, but because the digital zoom is just magnifying the image that is already recorded, you can easily begin to see graininess in the video image. So try to rely on the optical zoom as much as possible for most shots, and choosing a camera that has at least a 10z optical zoom should work fine.
* It good to try to get a digital camcorder that can also take still shots too as this makes it so much more convenient to take both video and stills at the same event. Otherwise, you would have to carry along both a digital camera and a digital camcorder at the same time and switch back and forth. But getting a camcorder that allows you to take still digital shots eliminates this hassle. Often the camcorder will even have a built-in flash for low light camera situations too. Most often the digital pictures are saved onto a removable media card that you can use to upload them to your computer and print them out later on.
A digital camcorder opens up lots of possibilities as it allows you to even transfer the video to your computer and add text or music if you like. In essence, you can become your own little movie director with the high quality miniDV camcorders that are available today.
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