Archive for the ‘Electronics’ Category

The Simly Perfect Digital Camcorder

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
camcorders
JR Lang asked:


The Flip Ultra, the second and better version of the original Flip digital camcorder from Pure Digital hit the market by storm. With it’s simplicity of use, great video quality and tiny size, the Flip Ultra digital camcorder can be dubbed as the “simply perfect” digital camcorder.

Features Compared:

Unlike the Sony Handycam series the Flip Ultra’s screen is tiny (1.5 inches) and doesn’t swing out for self-portraits.

No still shots. Unlike, other traditional digital camcorders, such as the Canon DC series there are no settings, menu buttons, no light, no lens cap and no memory card.

Unlike the Canon GRD-250 that flaunts a big zoom optical range, the Flip has no optical zoom lens, only a 2 x digital zoom.

And while the Sony Handycam digital camcorders were created to be compact it looks like a tank compared to the pocket sized Flip Ultra.

Unlike the complicated menu of buttons on the Canon GRD-250, the Flip Ultra digital camcorder has three buttons, play, stop and trash. Not even a battery pack, it works with AA batteries.

While other digital camcorders, including Sony and Canon use different media for storage of recordings, such as DVD, flash drives or MiniDV tapes, the Flip Ultra has no tapes or disks, all footage is downloaded via attached USB plug, which pops out at 90 degrees to the camera body.

That USB plugs into a computer and footage is then downloaded to the PC, which can be played, copied to a hard drive and burned to DVD and, of course edited in most standard editing programs. There is also a special cable to plug it into a TV and watch footage directly.

The Filming Process:

Press the red button once to record and once to stop. Press play to review the video. Press trash to delete any scenes. That’s it! With this ease of use the Flip Ultra digital camcorder is a perfect fit for even the most novice of users.

Size Does Matter:

Unlike the traditional digital camcorders and even the more compact models, such as the Sony Handycam, the Flip Ultra can go anywhere, and everywhere, like a purse, beach bag, or pocket. It’s very rugged so you can take it skiing, to the playground, while playing a sport and virtually anywhere where you might need to shoot some clips. There is even a acrylic accessory case that allows you to take it underwater!

Video Quality:

With all this simplicity and a low retail price of under $150, the Flip Ultra digital camcorder delivers an amazingly good picture quality, comparable to that of it’s more sophisticated counterparts, such as the Sony and Canon models. It has TV resolution (640 x 480 pixels, 30 frames per second).

The most amazing feature of the Flip Ultra, especially considering it’s simplicity compared to the more traditional and sophisticated digital camcorder brands, is the low-light ability, which trumps even the most expensive of digital camcorders. Not only is the video grain-free, but recorded dim scenes actually look brighter than they looked to the ***** eye.



Edith

3 Valuable Benefits of Using a Camcorder Hard Drive

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
camcorders
Corbin Newlyn asked:


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.



Dean

The Hitachi Dzhs300a Hybrid Camcorder

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
camcorders
Toni asked:


Making its public appearance at the Consumer Electronics Association in 2007, the DZHS300A Hybrid Camcorder was the first of its kind not only for Hitachi, but for the whole world. The DZHS300A gives to its owner the opportunity of recording video either directly on an internal 8GB hard disk drive or to DVD-R, -RW or +RW discs or DVD-RAM discs. The DZHS300A Hybrid Camcorder have built-in editing tools and a one-touch dub button which allow cleaning up and sending videos from the internal 8 GB HDD to another media. A SD memory card slot makes possible capturing stills as well, from frames of DVD video or when in a photo mode.

With its street price around $400, this is a budget digital camcorder and its video quality shows that. But, the Hitachi DZHS300A Hybrid Camcorder’s recording flexibility, easy use and fast startup time make it an excellent choice for people who like to instantly and effortlessly record and share video and/or to move it quickly to a computer for editing and creating more sophisticated projects.

Considering the components involved, a hard disk drive and DVD recorder, the DZHS300A Hybrid Camcorder is a fairly compact (3.5×2.4×5.3 inches) and reasonably lightweight (about 1 pound) device. It is not quite small enough to stash it inside a coat pocket, but a shoulder strap is included.

The Hitachi DZHS300A comes with a 25x optical zoom lens that smoothly moves in and out without applying much pressure. It has an Electronic Image Stabilizer that eliminates camera shake and there is an option to choose between auto and manual focus.

The controls and menu navigation are simple and intuitive and the 2.7-inch color LCD is just big enough. The “record” button is centered in a small dial located by the user’s thumb. The dial allow to switch between positions for the SD card, Off, hard drive and the DVD recorder.

One of the most outstanding features is the device’s startup time. It goes from off to ready to record to the HDD in about a second. There’s also a Standby setting that lets the user to wake and record even faster. For those who are addicted to capturing life’s more unusual moments to post online, the Hitachi DZHS300A’s startup time is ideal.

From the image quality point of view, one should not forget that this is a a budget camcorder and Hitachi is pitching it for its recording versatility, not its video performance.Those who need a camcorder for more than casual videos, should probably skip the DZHS300A.

This camera gives its best outdoors on sunny and slightly overcast days and indoors under bright light. For low-light situations, the LCD can be used as a light, but only at a short distance. The digital still pictures it captures are at a resolution of 640×480 and are fairly passable, but the still-shot feature is meant as an extra, not to replace a standalone still camera.

The Hitachi DZHS300A’s strong points are the ease of use, the very fast startup time and its hybrid recording. These strong points makes it a perfect device for the novices that just want to pop a disc in and go, but as well, for those that want to do full-on editing and disc creation. Plus, with the handful of built-in editing tools and the one-touch dub from HDD to DVD, one can give family and friends a quick DVD, completely skipping the PC transfer and without the need for docking like other units.



Jackie

Camcorder Care

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
camcorders
Christine Peppler asked:


A camcorder is a talented filming tool that is increasingly popular with consumers as their size continues to dwindle. Learning to operate the various features generally absorbs the attention of new owners understandably. However, gaining knowledge of how to care for a new camcorder is equally important to assure continued optimal performance and longevity.

What are the critical tips that can assure the well being of these devices? There is nothing magic here. A camcorder is a fairly expensive and complex device but much of the care it requires is similar to that for any electronic device or camera.

• Avoid exposing the camcorder to water. Only a very slightly damp cloth can be used to clean the exterior; it’s best to use cleaners suggested by the manufacturer.

• Protect the camcorder from dust, dirt, and scratches by keeping it in its case when not in use. Cover the lens with the cap.

• Be protective of the lens. Avoid touching the lens of the camcorder with fingers as the oil from a person’s skin can gradually erode some of the protective surface. Avoid pointing the camcorder lens directly into the sun and use an ultraviolet lens filter for added protection. Use only manufacturer approved cleaners/tissues on the lens to avoid damage. Windex, a shirt tail, and ****** tissue should not be used.

• Internal cleaning should be handled by professionals. It is usually acceptable however to run a head-cleaner type of cassette on appropriate camcorders at least annually.

• Be gentle when operating the camcorder; especially when loading any tape into devices that use such media. Tapes should not be forced in, and you should push to facilitate loading only on the surface where it indicates to push. Patience is golden as the process can be somewhat slow.

• Cleaning the viewfinder and/or LCD screen of the camcorder should also involve only approved cleaners and a non abrasive cloth; for instance, a micro-fiber cloth.

• Charge batteries per the manufacturers guidelines. Generally, batteries should be run down completely and then given a full recharge. In addition, batteries should not be stored in the camcorder itself.

Reading through the manufacturers instructions can shed a great deal of light on the proper care and maintenance of any product but knowing just the few tips above can get new owners started.



Nellie

How do Digital Video Camcorders Work?

Sunday, October 19th, 2008
camcorders
JR Lang asked:


As technology continues to progress, newer and more complicated media equipment is available to the general public. Digital video cameras are no exception. Just as quickly as the film-use camera has been rendered obsolete for your average shutterbug, VHS camcorders also have gone the way of the dinosaur. Everything, it seems, has gone digital and convenience is only one of many reasons. Newer digital camcorders also offer compactness, better image quality and quicker viewing capabilities.

The same activities that were recorded with the bulky video cameras of the 1980s and early 1990s are still popular today. Children’s sporting events, awards ceremonies, family gatherings, performances and other special moments are memories people want to preserve. The difference now is the accessibility of the images and the ability to share them with people around the world in a matter of seconds. But how do digital video camcorders work?

For gearheads and technophiles, there’s no mystery to the workings of most digital gadgetry. But for the average consumer, even basic operation can be perplexing. Here’s a look at how a few different types of digital video camcorders work.

As with film cameras and analog camcorders, digital camcorders use a lens to see the images they record. These lenses transform the various elements of the image in front of the camera into information that can be processed and recorded. In a video recorder, these lenses focus the light-intensity colors onto a semiconductor image sensor. This sensor is called a charge-coupled device, or CCD. The more of these a camera has, the better the picture quality. The final step in digital video camera operation is what separates them from older camcorders. The information is turned into bytes of data. The contrast and colors become binary code (1s and 0s), and this data is stored as digital video.

Most digital camcorders on the market from major brands use a MiniDV tape, which processes and records information digitally. These tapes are a fraction of the size of old VHS cassettes. Digital video is the standard for home and semi-professional video production and is sometimes used by the news media. Beginning-level professional digital camcorders have three CCDs and record onto DV CAM or MiniDV tapes.

Digital camcorders have a FireWire port on the back of the camera that plugs directly into your computer. The data from the camera is sent to the computer’s hard drive. The video files can then be edited with the appropriate software, if desired.

There are extremely compact digital video camcorders with limited recording length (approximately 60 minutes) and lens capabilities. These are handy for quick and convenient video sharing and allow for very easy transport. They require no memory card and plug directly into your computer with a USB plug. For lengthier recording or better image quality, the MiniDV camcorders are a better choice.

Lower-end digital systems that don’t use tapes record in MPEG-4 format as digital memory. Some higher-end versions use hard disks or memory cards instead. This allows for more data to be stored, hence the better image quality.

Most digital video camera manufacturers focus on the most commonly used computer operating systems. Windows- and Mac-based computers are usually compatible with most cameras on the market. Beyond these, consumers may run into trouble. Some tape-less recording devices are not compatible with anything but Windows, so consumers should be sure to check the details before making a purchase.



Catherine

Digital Camcorders - Manual Control vs Point and Shoot Usability

Friday, October 10th, 2008
camcorders
JR Lang asked:


The question of point and shoot usability vs manual controls can make or break your digital camcorder purchase decision.

For the absolute novice in video recording the question, of point and shoot usability or manual control, maybe the most important one to consider when deciding on a digital camcorder to purchase. Many come equipt with automatic adjustments and controls which allows the camcorder to adjust for environmental factors, focus, exposure and shutter speed.

Purchasing a digital camcorder with this type of point and shoot capability allows the camera’s internal computer to set the optimal settings, providing lots of freedom for the novice film makers who will not need to concern themselves with very technical issues and can just shoot film. On most machines equipt with automatic control this function is easily turned on with the push of a button.

Also, there are times when these automatic functions will not produce the quality of video that is desired and for those instances there is another feature that can compensate. Look to see if the camcorder provides presets, or selections based on specific environmental conditions, such as lighting, weather or even shooting occasions, such as concert or sports.

For the Advanced Filmmaker

If you are not a novice, and have some expertise in recording film, or you just want to have complete control over you video recordings, you will want to make your own manual adjustments for optimal exposure, focus and shutter speed.

If you do want to manually control the settings then it is crucial to make sure that you do not sacrifice usability in the process. You want to be able to reach and use the manual controls and buttons with ease while recording and not have to lose focus and move the camcorder at a crucial recording time in order to change a setting.

Some digital camcorders are not very user friendly when it comes to button placement and especially those control buttons that need to be reached while recording.

Imagine that you are filming your daughters first school play, and you need to zoom in on her solo performance, but in order to manually adjust the zoom button, you have to access an internal menu or move the camera off your child in order to reach the right button? By the time you do all that, the solo will be over and a once in a lifetime recording moment is lost forever.

So, when purchasing a digital camcorder with manual control always consider this, if you cannot easily access the control buttons and change settings mid-recording, such as shutter speed or to zoom in on a particular scene and if not changing those settings will not yield the best video you can make, then that camcorder is probably not the one to purchase.



Allan

Camcorders: Bring Alive the Happiest Moments of Your Life

Friday, September 19th, 2008
camcorders
Alden Jerry asked:


There are some moments in life which are priceless, such as a mother seeing her child standing on his/her feet for the first time and taking a few staggering steps; a father seeing his child getting married; or a person hanging out with his/her long lost friends. These are some moments that need to be cherished throughout the life. Unfortunately, capturing these joyous moments of life is not possible for every one. However, today it is no longer a difficult or expensive proposition for a person who wants to capture the most memorable moments of his life in the flow of time.

Camcorder is a device that allows the user to shoot and record the things that he always wanted to. It comes installed with the a VCR panel, that imparts the user an idea of what actually is he shooting and how can he make it more better. The video reproduced by this incredible machine is quite high on quality quotient. Even the sound quality is also very good, which makes it a more desirable machine to possess.

Camcorders can even capture both still and dynamic objects with ease. This is the main reason why people prefer it over the normal digital camera, mobile phone camera and video recorders. It does the much-needed justice to the imagination. This is why the quality is not at all affected while giving the steady look to the moving pictures. There are many companies such as Sony, Philips, Cannon, Nikon and also Hitachi in this field. The machines manufactured by these eminent names are rated as the best in the entire electronic device fraternity. These video recorders come in various shape and sizes, which is why it becomes more easier for the interested buyers to set their priorities clear and buy that machine that suits their budget and requirements.

Users of camcorders can certainly bank upon it in the times of social gatherings, dance parties, picnic or in an outing with friends. This is one device that will never let its name of the user down in terms of performance and perfection. What more, these machines come with abundant storage capacity, so from now on the user will not have to delete any of his memorable moments to make a space for others. Some camcorders also come with the memory expansion slot that adds more utility to them. For achieving better results in terms of quality, users can fall back on the zoom option and give a fine touch to the ultimate product.

Camcorder is one device that gives its users a certain kind of edge in terms of overall performance. It brings a sophisticated touch to the work of the users and makes it look more beautiful and complete in every sense. Prospective buyers can purchase camcorders from the various Online shopping portals in the most convenient manner. The Online shopping mode gives the buyers the much needed liberty that every customer desires for. Here they can not only buy but can also see, compare the deals offered by various portals without coming under any kind of sellers pressure. Another best part of purchasing through this Online mode is that the buyer can discharge the payment according to the payment mode he prefers is the best for him. These portals accept payment from all kinds of mode such as debit cards, credit cards or simply cash. They also give value-added service to their buyers such as free home delivery, free replacement in case of supply of faulty appliance and many more. This flexible and buyer-friendly approach makes shopping for any kind of device be it camcorders, a joyous experience.



Cathy

Camcorder Cheat Sheet:6 Tips for Getting Better Audio

Sunday, September 7th, 2008
camcorders
Christine Peppler asked:


Most consumers purchase a digital video camcorder in order to upgrade their equipment and hopefully, produce better quality home movies. Unfortunately, the quality of the movies we record with our camcorder has less to do with the equipment and more to do with how well we record the video and audio in the first place.

The important role of good audio in any film is often overlooked. Many consumers don’t purchase an external microphone with their camcorder but instead rely primarily on an internal omni directional microphone which indiscriminately picks up and records sounds from the front, sides, and rear. This often results in a significant amount of “noise” and difficulty in discerning the voices or other sounds which home movies try to capture.

Without making a life study of film making, there are a few quick and simple things the average home movie maker can do to vastly improve the audio quality of films they record with their camcorder.

1. Move in closer to the subject or sounds which the film should capture.

This can mean using the zoom function less and instead, stepping nearer. When recording children, this can also mean getting down closer to their level from a vertical perspective. Getting closer with the camcorder not only allows the film maker to capture the sounds better but it helps to cut down on the amount of noise that will intrude from the background.

2. Home movies should be filmed in a quiet location when possible.

Controlling the environment is an obvious way of cutting down on the “noise” intrusion. Some environments in which we film may be naturally “noisy”; but assuring that the television is off, the dishwasher is not running, etc. certainly helps.

3. Engage the “wind screen” feature on the camcorder when filming outdoors.

The “wind screen” feature does exactly what its name implies; it helps to reduce wind noise. This is particularly useful at the beach.

4. Reduce noise by steadying the camera.

Jarring the camcorder around and moving about while filming can also create a great deal of noise. Using a tripod or another type of stabilization device can not only steady the picture but reduce noise.

5. Purchase an external microphone for your camcorder.

If your camcorder has a jack for an external microphone, this can be a great way of significantly improving the sound quality of your recordings. There are a variety of types of microphones available and each functions best in different situations. “Shotgun” microphones help to reduce noise by cutting out sounds from the side and rear of the camera and recording sounds primarily in front of the camera at a distance. For recording speakers/presenters, a lavaliere microphone is the best idea while Cardioid microphones record sound near, but directly in front of the microphone.

6. Reduce film maker noise.

This is common sense but the person with the camcorder in hand should remember to be quiet and avoid “fiddling” with the controls on the camcorder while filming.

Although none of these techniques are high tech, adhering to them can greatly enhance the quality of any home movie creation and allow owners to better enjoy their investment in a new camcorder.



Derrick

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: 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