Archive for August, 2008

Having Fun With Your Camcorders

Friday, August 29th, 2008
camcorders
MIKE SELVON asked:


You can have a lot of fun with camcorders, especially with new digital brands that let you transfer your footage onto a computer for easy editing and fun augmentation.

The possibilities are endless and transforms a computer to that akin to becoming the director of your own films. You can turn your family movies into nostalgic hits that everyone can enjoy. Whatever you choose to do, chances are that digital recording equipment can make it happen.

Buying a Digital Camcorder

Of course, in order to have all of this fun, you’ll need to go buy a digital camcorder. Buying one can be tricky because there are many different products on the market. Each camcorder has its own flaws and selling features, so check with a salesperson to help find the camcorder that best works with your needs.

You’ll want to know about things like:

* Digital recording format: Does the camcorder record for capabilities with DV tape, DVD-R, MiniDV tape, DVD-RAM or Hard Drive?

* Still imaging recording format: Does the camcorder use secure digital recording, a multimedia card, a memory stick duo type or a standard memory stick type of recording?

* Price: How much does the camcorder cost and what comes with that cost? Does it cover any recording software or a memory stick?

* Manufacturer: Is it a Sony, Canon digital, JVC, Panasonic, etc.?

After you have some of these basic questions answered, you should be more equipped to make a choice. Most reliable cameras with a decent set of software and recording equipment will end up running less than $800, but there are some that are priced less than $500 such as the Canon Digital that runs around $300.

For the best value, you should be prepared to spend a good amount of money and make your camcorder a solid investment. It could last you quite a long time.

Software

After you’ve purchased your camcorder, get some computer accessories to go with it so that you can start editing your footage. PC World is a good place to start looking for an assortment of accessories to go with your camcorder.

At www.pcworld.com, you can find a ton of information about your specific camera and the software that best goes with it.

Even though camcorders are now smaller and offer more recording features than ever before, the most important development in their technology has been in the editing software. The ability to take digital recordings and edit them has opened up an entirely new set of creative doors for users.

The ability to delete, move, save and alter footage with software products like Final Cut Studio and Adobe Production Studio puts the power to create images into the hands of everyday people.



Corey

Record Every Fleeting Moment at Ease With Latest Camcorders

Thursday, August 28th, 2008
camcorders
Adam Caitlin asked:


Photography is one of the most exciting activities which helps the people to enjoy the beautiful fleeting moments even in future whenever they want. At times we come across exotic mountains and mind-boggling sceneries which we try to capture and record to freeze those moments for future replay. The camcorders are basically those gadgets which have the potential to record both audio and video clips electronically with the help of the embedded recorder in it. These devices have undergone various developmental stages in the recent past that nowadays even an amateur can also start recording great video clips while on the move.

The latest and the high tech camcorders which are available these days come embedded with both audio and video recording capabilities.Few years back companies like Sony, and Kodak, etc., produced the analog video tapes. However the digital tapes came into being since 1990 and almost after three years the storage tapes were steadily replaced by the hard disk drives, optical disks and solid state memory. There are also certain camcorders, which do not require magnetic tapes, and are popularly known to the people as `tape-less`. Moreover there are gadgets which use two assorted media, such as HDD and Memory card, and they are called ‘Hybrid Camcorders’.

Sony and Kodak both started enhancing the caliber of camcorders which resulted in the development of digital widgets in 1990. The cassettes which were used by them used to be very small that is just 8mm media . However the digital options improvised both the video and the audio quality when compared to the analog camcorders. Nowadays there are various models of digital gadgets in the market which are offered to the users in high quality and reduced price.

These gadgets are basically categorized by their embedded storage devices. The most popular digital formats which are available these days are the Betacam and the MiniDV etc., but they endure from certain generation loss due to editing, recording and dubbing. However this concerns can be driven away by managing these gadgets in a well organised manner. Moreover, there are certain positive and negative issues which are associated with the digital and the analog formats. Both have various specific features which make them the master in their own manner. One has to understand his or her varied requirements before plunging into any purchasing decision.

The three prime components of Latest Camcorders are the recorder, imager and the lens. The lens are primarily used to focus and direct light on the imager. The images works as the eye of the gadget which efficiently transforms the captured clips into electric video signals. The final work is then done by the recorder which elegantly encodes the video signals which are sent to them. The lens can be used to control the important optical operations like focus, aperture and shutter speed etc. Camcorders can be used for plethora of purposes and can be used even for filming events



Nicole

Digital Video Camcorders: is your Computer Up to the Editing Task?

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
camcorders
Christine Peppler asked:


When camcorders went from analog to digital a few years ago, the ability to capture and edit home movies leapt forward light years. With a digital video camcorder and computer, scenes can now be deleted or rearranged and graphics, special effects, and even sound tracks added. The ability to produce near professional quality film is now within the grasp of the average consumer. However, the proper equipment is necessary to perform these miraculous feats and an up-to-date computer is as critical to the process as the camcorder itself.

The Right Stuff

The ability of a computer to successfully work with the digital video from a camcorder depends primarily upon things such as having enough memory, processing power, and the right connections. Inadequate memory can limit the editing function and insufficient processing speed can slow the editing process to a crawl while limited disk space will be gobbled up at the rate of 215MB per minute of film.

How Much Is Enough?

When working with digital video from a camcorder, it’s important to realize that more is better! The suggestions offered here are certainly not maximums, but they are also not absolute minimums. They are merely general recommendations to assure that the task of video editing camcorder film is a creative, rather than painful, experience.

- 512MB of RAM is recommended. It’s possible to work with about half this amount of memory but editing such as adding special effects, titles, and graphics becomes difficult with less memory. The video card should also have at least 32MB RAM.

- 60GB hard drive is recommended but 100GB is better. Again, it is possible to work with digital video with as little as 30GB but disk space will disappear very quickly. Certainly, budget constraints can influence selection.

- 1GHz or higher processor to help assure that editing can be done without unreasonable delays.

- FireWire or USB 2.0 port for the fastest transfer from camcorder to computer.

Other Elements of Success

- Windows XP and Mac OS X are the applications of choice.

- Video editing software. Numerous products are on the market making it easy to select a program that is compatible for any computer model. It is important to investigate the minimum system requirements as stated in the literature of any software purchased.

- Higher resolution monitors can make editing easier and most editing software will dictate the minimum resolution.

- A DVD burner is not required for digital video editing but does allow the user to burn movies to disk and view them on a DVD player.

Although the list of requirements for a computer to handle digital video from a camcorder is somewhat lengthy, most up-to-date computers are certainly up to the task. Once all of the requirements are met, creating home movies that will win the “critical acclaim” of family and friends is just a few mouse clicks away.



Joe

Camcorders?

Monday, August 25th, 2008
camcorders
♥ViVi♥ asked:


What are some good camcorders to record yourself singing? I was thinking about the Canon ZR850. What do you think? Please link some good camcorders me to record myself singing!
Thanks!

Love,
CutieV

Rafael

I’m a first time camcorder buyer and I was wondering which is better to buy a mini-dv or the dvd camcorders?

Sunday, August 24th, 2008
camcorders
suzette asked:


Also, what brand do you recommend? I want a camcorder we can use for a long time. I will use it primarily for family events like birthdays and the like. Thanks.

Jeanne

camcorders?

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008
camcorders
Cpt.Jack asked:


I would like to buy a camcorder/video recorder for Christmas.It needs to be able to record at night/dark light can anyone recomend any as I don’t have a clue! there is a Sony DCR52 in comet that’s reasonably priced. Doesn’t necessarily need to take still pics as I already posses a cracking camera.
Can anybody recomend one?

Brenda

Camcorders: a Map to the Vast World of Tripods

Friday, August 22nd, 2008
camcorders
Christine Peppler asked:


With the increasing capabilities and decreasing size of camcorders, millions have become home videographers. Of course, anyone would prefer to get “oohs” and “aahs” from their audience when sharing their video creations. To the surprise of many, one way to produce better films doesn’t even involve the camcorder or highly skilled filming techniques. One of the most important things that can be done to improve the quality of a movie shot with a camcorder is to use a tripod.

Certainly handheld shots are appropriate in some instances but a steady shot always produces a more “professional” looking result. The price range on camcorder tripods varies widely, from $15 to over $1,000 for the more professional type so there is usually one to match any budget.

Here are some hints as to features to consider when purchasing a camcorder tripod.

Sturdiness

Obviously, if the function of the tripod is to steady the camcorder a sturdy base is necessary. Dual-stanchion legs provide good stability. These tripods have two poles on each leg. Tripods put together with nuts and bolts tend to tolerate wear and tear better than riveted ones. The true test of a tripod is to set it up and apply firm downward pressure to assure there is no flexing, bending, or collapsing.

Ease of Set Up

If faster set up is critical, look for lever locks versus twist locks on the legs.

Leveling

Tripods not only keep the camcorder steady, but can also help keep a shot level. Having a bubble level on the tripod gives the user another tool for getting the best images. It is also advisable to get a tripod that allows height/length adjustment of each of the legs independently. This can assure a level set up even when shooting on uneven ground. If a lot of outdoor filming is planned, tripods with a spike should be considered to help stabilize better in these situations.

Weight

Because using a tripod is critical to a great looking movie, buyers want to be sure that they won’t mind carrying it anywhere. However, stability and strength should not be sacrifice for portability. For a really lightweight but strong tripod, look for the ones made of titanium, carbon fiber, or a similar lightweight material.

Smooth Movement

Not only can a camcorder tripod provide a steady stationary shot but it can also provide a solid base that allows for flawless panning when following action. Ball heads on the tripod can provide the smoothest motion while panning. Buyers should always use the head on a tripod before making a purchase to assure it has smooth, jerk-free movement.

Balancing

For more advanced film makers, a tripod with adjustable counterweights can help balance the camcorder as various lenses which can change the weight distribution are attached to the camera.

When selecting a camcorder tripod, consumers will need to determine what type of filming they will be doing and then identify the features that will be most important for those situations. If, for instance, the buyer will often film family football games but will never use a telephoto or other lens, a camera with a fluid head is much more important than one with counterweights. As with any purchase, thinking ahead can help buyers avoid paying for features they won’t use.



Barbara

How to Handle a Camcorder Battery Pack?

Sunday, August 17th, 2008
camcorders
kevin moshayedi asked:


You have to take special care of your camcorder battery so that it will have a longer life span. Please remember that the battery life is much shorter in a cold environment. Therefore you should avoid, as far as possible, recording in a cold environment lest the efficiency of the battery gets decreased.

Make sure you do not leave the camcorder in a standby mode when not recording to save the battery power. A smooth transition between scenes can be made even if recording is stopped and started again. While you are positioning the subject, selecting an angle or looking at the LCD screen or through the viewfinder, the lens moves automatically and the battery is used. Please also know that the battery is drained when a tape is inserted or removed. Try to have sufficient camcorder battery pack power to do 2 to 3 times as much recording as you have planned. Your objective must be to try as much as you can to conserve the power of your battery.

You should never leave the battery pack in temperature above 140ºF (60ºC), such as inside a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight. When you charge or record, the camcorder battery pack heats up due to energy that has been generated and a chemical change that has taken place inside. However, this is normal and there is no cause for concern. Make it a point to remove your battery pack from the unit after using it, and keep it in a less warm place. When the battery pack is installed to the camcorder, a small amount of current flows to the camcorder even if the power switch is off. This often results in the battery life getting curtailed. The camcorder battery pack is always discharging even when it is not in use and as such, you should charge it right before using the unit.

It is important to note that if the battery indicator flashes rapidly just after turning on the camcorder, then the battery pack should be replaced with a new fully charged one. You should be aware that a brand new battery pack is not charged and therefore before using it, charge it completely. If you charged the camcorder battery pack fully but did not use it for a long time, again it becomes discharged, so recharge it before use.

It is common knowledge that if the terminals are not clean, the camcorder battery charge duration will be shortened. Repeatedly installing and removing it a few times improves the contact condition. Occasionally wipe the positive and negative terminals with a soft cloth or ordinary paper. Never expose the battery pack to any mechanical shock.

Nowadays most camcorders available in the market come with rechargeable batteries that can easily be charged. Carefully read the directions for your battery charger and learn how the charger works. Plug in your camcorder battery charger in an area that is open to prevent any type of electrical problem from occurring. Attach your battery pack to the charger. Be sure it is in the proper position for charging. Typically, a red light should illuminate as soon as it begins charging. Check on your recharging batteries periodically. This will ensure that the pack is being charged properly and that your charger is working as well. Please note that as soon as the battery pack has completed charging, remove it immediately. If your battery starts its auto detection mode, then rest assured you have attached your battery properly and can continue with charging. Avoid charge your camcorder battery overnight as despite assurances from retailers, battery packs have been the cause of some fires.



Herman

Does anyone have experience with canon camcorders?

Saturday, August 16th, 2008
camcorders
Heather P asked:


We just purchased a Canon ZR850 Mini DV Camcorder, does anyone own one, or something similar from the canon family? I couldn’t find any helpful reviews!

Judy

I am buying my twins a camcorder. What are the pros n cons of hard drive ones or mini disc camcorders?

Monday, August 11th, 2008
camcorders
crownvic64 asked:


I am looking at a Sony, what are your thoughts on brands? Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Virginia