Archive for July, 2008

Choosing A DVD or Video Camcorder

Friday, July 18th, 2008
camcorders
Victor Epand asked:


Mini dvd camcorders use a tiny tape while mini dvd camcorders use a small dvd disc. As far as what camcorder to choose. It all comes down to what you want to do with the final video. If you’re looking for a camera to make video productions that you will edit on a computer, go with a mini dvd camcorder. Going with this option means the use of video editing software and can become a time consuming process: Capture video from the mini dvd tape onto your computer (no quality loss), edit that captured video using free or low cost editing software, distribute your edited video out to a dvd using your dvd burner.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one camera you can take on, say, a cruise and instantly make a dvd without any editing for all to view in any dvd player, go for the dvd camcorder. There are two forms of consumer cameras. dvd Camcorders, that is great for people who don’t want to make changes. Shoot, take the dvd out and then put it in a dvd player. The advantage is pretty straightforward. You can just edit without having to capture (depending on the editing system + hardware.)

I want to make sure we’re not talking about capturing on, say, a still camera as an avi.I’m talking about the $500+ systems that attach to the back of cameras like the XL-1s from canon.

It stores footage in MPEG-2 format. In MPEG-2 format, not every frame has all the information. That’s how you can store hours of footage on a dvd . MiniDV Camcorders (which uses fire wire, and you’d have to get a card for your computer that uses fire wire), permit you to capture the data off the tape in the camera. The footage is stored in “DV format’, where every frame has all the data. I’d pick MiniDV (if you want to be able to easily edit it). You’ll need a fire wire card. The tape stores the 0s and 1s (which is data). Fire wire permits you to slurp the data from the tape and edit it on the computer.

Not a “camcorder”, but a simple 8mm movie camera made for the typical point-and-shoot amateur photographer. Eastman Kodak made several million Brownie 8mm movie cameras in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, both with single lens and multiple lenses. The crank on the side winds up a spring motor, and then you can shoot about 20 seconds of film at a time. I’m afraid these cameras have no historical significance at all, they remain common as dust today, they are virtually unusable, and so they rarely sell for much more than $20.

After you install the new drivers from your camcorder manufacturer, try to switch the USB port, and then check the USB port version, if it is the same with the camera. You can find this in the camera’s documentation. Connect the camera by USB (it must be power off), and after that press the “power on” button, wait a little and go to My Computer, there must be a new driver, go on it and copy the files.

For best quality video, you need to transfer MiniDV or Digital8 video from your camcorder to your computer with IEEE 1394, commonly called FireWire or I. Link. USB will not work well with most camcorders to transfer video as they output USB 1 not “High Speed” USB2. USB is normally used for transferring still images and web cam features. Most editing programs will not transfer with USB; if they do it will not be the best possible video quality.

There are some dvd burners out there that do have a direct connection to the recorder available. The link is one such interface - it’s a Sony spec I believe. Generally, when you download video to a computer, the computer has to store the images digitally on a memory system at least temporarily because the ram is limited and video eats tons of memory.

Once it’s on your hard disk, there are numerous programs available like Avid Pro that will allow you to edit and manipulate the video like a professional. You can add titles, fades, intersect clips, add sound tracks you name it. Once you’re done editing, then you can select an option to permanently record it to a dvd if you like. You can also simply record it without editing of course.

Once the video is stored on the dvd , it’s basically permanent, unless you obtain dvd +RW discs, in which case you can record over it, erasing the original recording.

I’d recommend always recording the original video first to a dvd or some other permanent storage medium, and then upload the video from the dvd disc to a computer for editing. Once you’re done editing, use another DVD disc and burn it with your edited version. This way you always have the original handy and you can put it and the edited version in a safe place for the future when you’re an old **** like me and want to cry watching your little kids playing in the backyard.



Micheal

camcorders?

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
camcorders
♥♡xo.fallin.in.l0v3.xo♡♥ asked:


what is a good affordable one that would be safe on a beach??

if it says its stores memory on a memory stick or hard disk drive, are those the kind you can put into your computer and edit &&save??

Carol

camcorders?

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
camcorders
Surprise asked:


a camera with 40 * optical zoom is worse than a camera with 10 * optical which has 3CCD.

and does the 3CCD balance out for the smaller optical zoom.

is there a 3CCD camcorder with more than 12 optical zoom. I cannot find one. and I need one soon.

Brent

Sony Dcr-sr45 Camcorders

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
camcorders
adamsean9 asked:


The Sony DCR-SR45 is a lightweight camcorder with a weight of 350g (without battery). Its dimensions are 76mm wide, 77mm high and 113mm deep). Our review unit was in the usual slick silver and black design. The camcorder has a 2.7-inch wide touch screen and a 40x optical zoom. The zoom enabled microphone captures the audio clearly. Plenty of storage space is provided by its 30 GB storage space. This translates to 7 to 20 hours of recording depending on the quality setting. You can also store photos and videos to a memory slot thanks to a "hybrid stick" which offers a secondary recording option with a memory stick slot that can boost its capacity to 16GB.

The four buttons- zoom in, zoom out, home, start/stop recording are versatile when recording at low angles. It has 2 menu systems; a "Home" menu for all feature settings and an "Options" menu for functions available for video and still images like recording mode, focus and white balance. The dead centre record button lets you start off easily and the dial fits in line with the thumb. Power and activity buttons are above this. It also has a "Quick On" button, which moves it from the standby mode. The "stills" button is located on top. And rocker switch for the zooming lens which allows shutter free close-ups.

Good

All features are up to the standard.

It has a responsive auto focus and good white balance.

Clean appearance with sliding door on the side, where you can find a USB port, an AV out with included cable. Another sliding door on top hides the memory card slot.

"Nightshot" capabilities

Compared to SR65, it has a larger optical zoom.

Bad

The video quality is disappointing. It is unlikable if you are used to the clarity of a HD video. It doesn’t look good even at highest quality setting until you scale it down to You Tube size.

It fails to counterpart mobile phones with maximum image size of 0.3 megapixels.

It cannot capture shake free images and for taking close-ups, tripod is always required as it lacks optical image stabilization.

Performance drop in capturing dim light images.

Sometimes the images are blurred even in LCD screen.

Bottom line

The DCR-SR45 is not better than other entry level cams. The image quality is reasonable but not good enough for most people. It is affordable, but there are even cheaper models with better performances. The total package is up to the standard except for the video quality. It is adequate for beginners and budget shoppers interested in MiniDV.



Chris

Camcorder Lens Filters: What Can They Do for You?

Sunday, July 13th, 2008
camcorders
Christine Peppler asked:


After investing in a good camcorder, a sales person may suggest a lens filter for your new purchase. You wonder, are they just trying to make another sale or is there a justifiable reason for considering adding on a filter? Most of us aren’t professional videographers and have no intention of producing a feature film with our camcorder, but lens filters do have a purpose even for those of us who use a camcorder only for recreational purposes.

There are many types of filters for camcorder lenses, each with their own purpose but some of the most common may be of interest to the average consumer as a way of assuring better films and protecting their investment.

Protective filters

A clear filter can be used over the lens of the camcorder to protect it from dirt, fingerprints, and other debris which may scratch or otherwise damage the lens. Replacing a damaged filter is far less expensive than replacing the lens. Using a UV lens filters can also protect against damage from ultraviolet light. Protective lenses are often attached and remain on the camcorder throughout its lifetime.

Polarizing filters

A polarizing filter can act to reduce glare caused by reflected light that bounces off of surfaces such as glass, snow, and water. These camcorder lens filters are particularly useful when filming outdoors where it can be particularly difficult to control reflective light or when shooting a film through a window.

Neutral density filters

Attaching a neutral density filter on your camcorder can help to reduce over exposure in shots as they decrease the amount of light entering the lens. The darker grey the lens filter the more light they filter out and thus the darker the resulting images in the film.

Color correction filters

There are a variety of color correction or color compensating filters that can be used to create different effects. For instance, to make a sunset more red or an ocean more blue. As these tend to be used for more creative or artistic purposes these lens filters are used less frequently by the average consumer.

Diffusion filters

Both diffusion and fog filters on a camcorder can soften images. Diffusion filters in particular are used when filming up close shots of people to flatter their faces by softening any lines or imperfections on the skin.

Although many consumers do not opt to purchase additional accessories for their camcorder, lens filters can be very useful. While some provide a very affordable alternative for protecting expensive camcorder equipment, others allow users to produce better films with less overexposure and more creative effects.



Vanessa

Why do digital still cameras have very low zooms such as 3x while camcorders can have 40x zooms or more?

Sunday, July 13th, 2008
camcorders
Dave asked:


Why do digital still cameras have very low zooms such as 3x while camcorders, even inexpensive ones, can have 40x zooms or more?

Pedro

Make Sure Your Camcorder is Ready for Your Family Vacation

Saturday, July 12th, 2008
camcorders
sue webster asked:


Make Sure Your Camcorder is Ready for Your Family Vacation

Recording special moments is probably the main reason you invested in a camcorder. The biggest problem is many people forget to take them along when they need them most such as a vacation. Another common mistake people make is grabbing the camcorder bag without checking the equipment and when they get where they are going they find they have a battery that is dead or have forgotten important components in order for it to work properly.

Doing a Thorough Check

Don’t miss a moment of precious family memories because of lax attention and care. An important factor in making the most of your camcorder is to be sure your photo bag is fully equipped with everything you will need to begin recording once in a lifetime moments.

Be sure you bring along the owner’s manual should any unexpected situation arise. Your batteries should be fully charged and don’t forget the battery charger or AC adapter. You should also have a cloth for cleaning the lenses, an earpiece or headphones, enough tape and a pen so that you can label your productions.

Additional gear you may want to bring along is an extension cord, a tripod mount, an external microphone and a waterproof bag that fits your camcorder snugly. If your camcorder is a model with quick release you will need to have the mounting plate. A towel is a good idea to pack in your camera bag so that you can clean your camcorder or use it to shield it from the sun if it will be in direct sunlight.

The Camera Bag

Typically a camcorder will come with a bag so that you can transport it, but it is usually just a basic bag that doesn’t fit much else in it except the basics. A larger camera bag will ensure that all of your gear will have a home when you are traveling. A camera bag should be well insulated and have heavy protection so that if your expensive gadget gets banged around it won’t come to any harm.

You must also consider the attractiveness factor of your bag. A bag that looks shiny, expensive and new is sure to attract the attention of a thief, so you want something that doesn’t look like it is top of the line merchandise. Many people carry their camcorder in the worst looking bags so that it lessens the chance that it can be stolen.

You bought your camcorder to record those precious times you spend with your loved ones, so be sure that it is in peak condition so that you can treasure the memories for years to come.



Monica

Are then any good Digital Camcorders with webcam feature?

Saturday, July 12th, 2008
camcorders
q asked:


I want a Camcorder for Christmas but i also want a webcam. I thought i could get a Camcorder with webcam feature. Can you recommend me some?

Justin

The Hunt For Discount Digital Camcorders

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
camcorders
Ken Glauser asked:


Psst wanna buy a watch? Wanna save some money? Of course you do. Everyone does. There are a slew factory outlets offering all manner of sales. All of them based on “rock-bottom prices”. Not just one of these at a time but numerous strip malls are dedicated to discount shopping.

Another way of appearing to lower prices is to offer promotions with free products related to the big purchase. Online and offline stores include free samples, headsets, shipping and dozens of other incentives to squeeze that last penny out of your pocket. Generally the more expensive the main item, the better the incentive for you to buy. One such product is the digital camcorder. Wires, media, and cases are all dangled in front of the purchaser’s nose. All these incentives make it difficult to find the best price based on what you want.

What Customers Want

According to consumer studies, the price of the unit usually steers which unit the purchaser will spring for. Initially the camcorder was big and expensive. Now its development has resulted in smaller size along with lower prices. Naturally with the price decrease, the camcorder gained wider acceptance and sales volumes increased. In general, the consumer supports lower prices, ease of use and the increased portability is also a big seller. Technical output is typically not at the top of the list for consumer requirements. An example of this is the manual controls and quality low-light features that increase the size and price. The result of this is that these features are commonly not found on current camcorders. More features don’t necessarily contribute to the ease of selling discount digital camcorders.

Searching for a Product on the Highway

The information highway (read internet) is the fastest and easiest way to compare prices when shopping. In addition to price comparison, they also offer feature comparison. Neatly aligned in columns, it really is much easier comparison shopping for discount digital camcorders. The only problem with online stores is that some of them may have millions of products for sale making it more difficult to find the unit you desire.

Bargain Sites are the Real Deal

If you don’t trust yourself to find a site for discount digital camcorders, there are numerous sites that do the searching for you. Sites such as shopping.yahoo.com will go out on the net and find the lowest prices for the unit you want. Along with price information, they supply copious amounts of information about the products. This information is there instantly just for the asking unlike periodicals that have lead time from days to months. Another advantage of sites like these is that you are not bridled with the advertising rhetoric that most online stores have. As a result finding online bargains for discount digital camcorders and other purchases are much easier.

One incorrect assumption made by a lot of people is that bargain sites are totally automated with no human input. It is true they use the search engine to provide instant results, there are still a number of features that need a human touch. Features such as visitor feedback and reader’s feedback ensure that the best deals on everything including discount digital camcorders is obtained. Not too mention the research obtained from various online such as newsgroups and offline sources such as trade shows and non-internet stores. Also unethical vendors are weeded out with human intervention. When you get to one of these bargain search sites, look for a statement about the site receiving no compensation or commissions to represent particular products. The statement allows the bargain sites to remain unbiased when it comes to product recommendation.

Undoubtedly, the most efficient way to search for discount digital camcorders is through the Internet. In particular, sites with bargain search engines can further simplify and focus your search.



Greg

MiniDV Camcorders - Oldie But Goodie or Obsolete Dinasour?

Monday, July 7th, 2008
camcorders
JR Lang asked:


MiniDV camcorders are quickly becoming the old school recording formats for digital camcorders, and yet this format still has many benefits.

This type of camcorder should not be confused with mini camcorders, as they are not, MiniDV is synonymous with video compression and is named after the mini size of the cassette tapes onto which video is recorded or video format. MiniDV cassette formats are available in both Digital Video and High Definition format and they can fit 60 minutes of video in both DV and HDV and up to 90 minutes of DV in the lower quality setting.

The newly available recording formats, such as, Flash Memory, Hard Disk and DVD, have taken a lot of the spotlight of the MiniDV models, however it remains a model worth looking into when considering a digital camcorder for purchase.

How the MiniDV Camcorder Works

Video records to the mini cassette and is then transferred to a computer via firewire port and downloaded. The video is then edited with the use of video editing software. Once the video is edited it can be burnt onto DVD’s directly from the computer.

4 Reasons to Get One

1. First, and maybe most important is price. While, the newer recording formats were hitting the market, the MiniDV models began to drop in price, making these types of camcorders attractive and accessible for everyone.

2. They are compact. The very small size of the recording cassettes allows for a very compact digital camcorder that does not sacrifice functionality for a smaller size, in fact they are as sophisticated as their larger counterparts.

3. Another great benefit is that many of these models serve two functions, as a digital video recorder and as a still digital camera for taking great digital pictures.

4. The picture quality that comes with DV compression, such as that with MiniDV tapes is generally excellent and often better than with other media formats, such as DVD, Flash and Hard Disk.

So, while MiniDV types of camcorders are becoming more and more of an oldie, their low price and excellent picture quality make them a sound and smart investment.

And, there is no need for concern in regards to product support because with the growing number of high-def models being created, the MiniDV will remain one of the preferred recording media formats for high definition camcorders and manufacturers will continue to support all products and accessories related to them.

Canon, Hitachi, Toshiba, Sharp, Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, JVC, Samsung and Sony, all manufacture models of MiniDV digital camcorders with Sony offering the largest variety of these models in a wide price range.



Michelle