DV Camcorders

DV Camcorders Buyers Guide

Modern digital camcorders are physically smaller, lighter and are simpler to use than the analogue machines they replace. As technology has advanced, both sound and picture quality have improved immeasurably. There are however numerous recording formats and many features which may be confusing for the first time buyer.

Advantages of Digital Recording Formats

There are a number of key advantages to recording information digitally. It ensures that there is no loss of quality no matter how many times a recording is played; it means that professional level effects can be added via digital editing software and of course it makes it far easier to transfer information to and from a computer for editing and storage.

Key Features and Buying Considerations The DV Recording Format The MiniDV format used in modern DV Camcorders stores the recordings digitally onto compact cassettes which are easy to load and use. If you wish to play your recordings on anything other than the DV Camcorder itself or your TV (via a link cable from the DV Camcorder) you will need to download the data to your computer from where you can save it onto a DVD for use in a DVD player. Many quality DV Camcorders come with some level of computer link and editing software. Comfort Almost all current DV Camcorders are lightweight and compact but the design philosophy varies considerably between manufacturers. You need to ensure that the positioning of the handles and the controls together with the viewfinder screen or eyepiece is comfortable - this is an entirely personal matter. Zoom For most people, this is an essential feature. The ability to fill the frame with your subject without physically moving is often critical. Most important is the optical zoom range. This controls image sizing by physically moving the DV Camcorder's lens internally. Basic models are likely to offer some 10 times magnification. More expensive offerings may go to 25 times or more. Optical zoom is often supplemented by Digital Zoom where the DV Camcorder's software is used to enhance magnification. This results in some astounding numbers such as 400 times zoom but will almost invariably compromise picture quality. Image Stabilisation In some circumstances, it can be difficult to hold a Camcorder steadily. This can result in unstable recordings, particularly where the zoom facility is used - the smallest movement on the behalf of the photographer can result in catastrophic movement on screen. Nearly all DV Camcorders have some kind of image stabilisation system. This is usually electronic but in some models it is achieved through the optical system. In budget models, this can sometimes result in reduced picture clarity. Digital Stills Some DV Camcorders can be used like a digital stills camera to take still shots. These are stored on a memory card separately from the main digital DV tape for later transfer to a computer. Whilst most dedicated digital cameras will provide better quality pictures this can be a very useful feature and avoids the need to carry a separate digital camera. Extended Recording Time Most DV Camcorders offer a choice of three speeds, standard, long and extended to allow for greater recording time. In contrast with their analogue predecessors, an extended (slower) recording speed should have little impact on picture quality although you would be well advised to preview results before recording anything important using extended mode. You should also ensure that you have sufficient batteries to cover the proposed time. Transferring Recordings to a Computer Many people use editing software on a computer to refine their recordings and to introduce effects and titles. Some DV Camcorders are shipped with some form of editing software and there are many third party offerings on the market. Almost all DV Camcorders come with a USB connection as standard. If you want faster data transfer, look for a model with a Firewire connection which is much faster and which should reduce the chance of any data loss. You should also ensure that your computer has a Firewire connection although Fireware cards are relatively inexpensive if needed. Sony has a proprietary version of Firewire called i.link. Battery Life Battery technology has evolved considerably in recent years. Overall recording time will depend on the type of battery used, the speed at which you are recording and the recording mode. The principal battery types are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (Li-Ion). Lithium Ion is lighter than the other two and is therefore becoming the standard. Most importantly, some DV Camcorders can only use one type. Most DV Camcorder batteries have an average usage time of one hour but are usually rechargeable for many hundreds if not thousands of cycles. The mAh rating is an indication of a battery's life - the higher the value the longer it should last on each cycle. Exposure Modes Also referred to as Programmed Auto Exposure (AE) Modes, these automatically set up the DV Camcorder's focus, exposure and shutter speed optimally for different recording conditions. These are ideal for a quick set or for novice users. Modes typically include Landscape, Sports and Portrait. Manual Overrides Many DV Camcorders allow the user to override default settings to get the desired effect. This can be an elaborate process on some models but allows experienced photographers to achieve precisely the effect they want. External Microphone Most DV Camcorders include a built-in internal microphone as standard. An external microphone offers slightly better sound recording and reduces the chance of picking up any mechanical internal noise from the camcorder itself.