Camcorder Features

Introduction

Covers typical camcorder features, features that probably won't be used, features that shouldn't be used, and a comparison of analog and digital camcorders.

Features of a typical consumer camera

They are listed in order of importance, assuming you plan on using it for editing on a computer (the importance of each feature really depends on what you intend on doing).

FireWire
FireWire usually listed as: IEEE-1394, or i-Link; Look for DV in/out, DV terminal

Note: some older European camcorders have DV out but not DV in, some companies have trouble with FireWire-see "Companies with a good reputation for DV camcorders" below.

Analog Inputs
Yellow for video, White & Red for left & right audio signal RCA Jacks.

LCD
Big and flexible.

Image stabilizer

Optical zoom
Optical is better than electronic or digital.

Variable-speed zooming
Matches the zoom speed to the pressure you apply to the zoom lever. With the optical zoom, for example, the zoom lever gives you fingertip control over the zoom speed in seven steps.

Manual overrides
Zoom, exposure, etc.

Digital time
Remaining time for battery

Light
Built-in.

Exposure options

Remote control

Backlight mode

FlexiZone or PushFocus

Night-vision mode

Progressive-scan CCD
Progressive-scan vs. interlaced.

Still-camera mode
640 x 480 pixels (0.3 megapixels)

Analog vs. Digital Camcorder Comparisons

Analog Camcorders	Digital Camcorders
VHS 1.5 foot long Heavy Shoulder rest Use full size VHS tapes 1980's Only a few sold today	Digital8 Same 8mm tape as Hi8 Can play 8mm and Hi8 tapes Data stored digitally Quality better than analog 8mm and Hi8 Quality not as good as other digital formats
S-VHS (Super-VHS) Uses special S-VHS tapes Requires special, expensive equipment and jacks Sharper video quality than VHS Inexpensive ($300-$400)	DVD Record onto DVD New, there are not many models (2-4 currently?) Expensive ($900-$1000)
VHS-C (VHS-compact) Tapes smaller than S-VHS and VHS Requires special adapter Clever but a nuisance Inexpensive ($200-$300)	MiniDisc Similar to DVD camcorders New, there are not many models (1 currently?) Expensive $1000 Smaller discs than DVD Quality not as good as DVD
8mm Camcorders little bigger than a 6-in subway sandwich Tapes smaller than VHS-C (8mm tapes) VCR's can't playback the tapes Camcorder connects to the TV or VCR for playback Inexpensive ($200-$300) Popular among people without computers	MicroMV Sony only New MPEG-2 compressed Tiny tapes, 5.3 mm x 3.8 mm Expensive ($1000-$1500) Does not work with Macintosh
Hi8 Higher quality recordings than 8mm Tapes same size as 8mm Inexpensive ($200-$400)	MiniDV The standard Start at $300 (no price limit) Tapes smaller than 8mm Best quality Better picture quality than digital satellite broadcasts Better audio quality than CD's No copy degradation