Video Sharing for Grown-Ups!

How to Choose the Right Digital Video Camcorder Before you jump into the world of digital video, there are a few things we want to share with you about choosing the right digital video camcorder. The following will explain the difference between analog and digital video, choosing a video format, choosing your tripod, deciding what kind of user you are and different factors such as lens quality, pixels, and audio options when actually purchasing your camcorder. Understanding Digital Video First, let’s talk about the difference between analog and digital video and why analog is no longer an acceptable form of video if you are living in modern times! Analog video uses an electrical signal to capture images on magnetic tape. A digital video signal is a pattern of 1’s and 0’s that represent the video image. There is no variation in the original signal once it’s captured, and the image does not lose any of its original sharpness or clarity---it’s an exact copy of the original. Due to the major advances in digital technology, it is highly recommended by HomeMovie.Com that you choose digital video and not analog video. Here’s why: The quality of digital video begins and remains digital from camcorder to computer via FireWire cable. Analog degrades with each copy. The resolution of digital video is higher than analog because you can choose how many pixels, some of which offer as much as 410,000 or more pixels per CCD (charged couple devices). [xxx-link to “Getting to Know”] No matter what digital video format you choose, they all have excellent resolution quality. Although some digital formats have higher quality than others, the quality of analog can deteriorate only after 5 years. Analog recordings are highly susceptible to deterioration. Although a regular camcorder with analog may be cheaper in price, it is imperative to use digital video so that preservation of your video lasts and remains in the best condition. Choosing A Digital Format Next, you want to choose a digital video format. In general, each type of cassette or disc is made to record video using a particular standard. For example, MiniDV cassettes record video using the popular DV standard or high-definition HDV, while discs and Microdrives save MPEG-2 video. The design and the features of the camcorder affect what you can do with the video once it's shot. Thankfully, regardless of the type of digital format you choose, you can still enjoy unlimited copies of editing without a decline in quality. Listed are examples of formats accepted by HomeMovie.Com: Professional Formats Digital S, DVCPRO & DVCAM Although they are all digital formats, not all are compatible DVCAM accepts video tapes with a MiniDV format Digital S has a higher quality than DVCPRO o DVCAM & DVCPRO are pretty much the same, depending on what type of camcorder you purchase DVCPRO is made for professional videographers who specialize in taping big events such as weddings. DVCPRO maximum camera upload: 63 minutes with models AJ-D400, 610, 700 and 810 123 minutes with models AJ-D200 and 210 184 minutes with model AJ-D410 **Newer formats will hold 184 minutes DVCAM maximum camera upload: 184 minutes Most Popular Format MiniDV Introduced by Sony in 1995 First to come out with MiniDV camcorder Cheapest of the digital formats Is the most reliable and most commonly used by the average consumer Has a maximum camera upload of 80 to 120 minutes Has very good digitizing quality Formats NOT Recommended MiniDVD Low bit rate Highly susceptible to breakage Delamination and DVD rot Can only be played on certain DVD players   Other Accepted Formats Digital 8 Widely accepted format from Sony. Great if you have an 8mm Sony camcorder Bridge between DV (digital video) and analog recording Recording format uses DV compression to store data digitally on a 8mm tape Maximum camera upload is only 60 minutes Is the medium between Hi8 and MiniDV MicroMV Small & compact o Good playback quality Less tape surface in the cartridge than MiniDV cassette Requires more compression of the video data than other formats Not as effective bitrate as Digital 8 or MiniDV Choosing Your Tripod Purchasing a tripod for your camcorder is a very good investment once you start feeling comfortable shooting video. If you don’t want a shaky picture, a tripod is the way to go. Next time you are at a family function, try putting your camcorder on a tripod. You’ll spend less time, energy and concentration on your video. As we discussed in "Shooting During Vacation Time", if on vacation and you don’t have access to a tripod, screw your camcorder to the top of a lampshade in your hotel room. This works with the majority of camcorders. Consider these points when choosing a tripod: Make sure to buy a model that is for video, not still photography Make sure you purchase a tripod that can withstand the weight of the camcorder plus the weight of the battery Make sure that the tripod has a quick-release mounting plate. Keep this in good condition since they can crack and wear over time You will have to decide if you want the legs of the tripod to be quick-release or the type with a thumb screw tightener Look for a tripod where you can extend the center post on which the camcorder is mounted. This allows you to adjust the height without having to extend the legs. If you shoot a lot of video with scenery, buying a high quality tripod with a fluid head is key for panning landscapes and panoramic shots. The last point to consider is buying a tripod bag. This will help keep it in good condition as well as making it more convenient to transport. A good resource for tripods: Bogen Photo Corporation - www.bogenphoto.com Some Models Worth Considering: 3433 Fluid Head 755B MDVD Video Tripod 522A Sony LANC Remote 700RC2, 756BK MDVE Tripod with head 714B Digi Tripod What Kind of User Am I? When recording video, users often record similar events. For example, one family might enjoy taping their daughter’s dance recitals, while another family might enjoy taping record their son’s basketball games. Here are some examples of the many different ways you can use your camcorder: Sports and action Vacations and getaways Children’s first words, steps and/or birthdays Holiday activities and get-togethers Graduations Anniversaries Family interviews Recitals & plays Weddings Features to Consider Depending on how much you want to spend on a digital camcorder, there are many options available to fit your price range. When selecting your camcorder, remember these options: Lens quality—when purchasing a camcorder, the size of the lens determines the degree of light and image quality. The larger the lens, the better both of these qualities will be when going on that family vacation or taking video of your brother’s wedding. Pixels—Pixels are the number of dots that together comprise a picture. The more pixels in a fixed image, the greater the resolution quality. High-quality digital video camcorders offer as much as 410,000 or more pixels per CCD (What is CCD?)   Audio Options—To allow for quality recording, HomeMovie.Com recommends that you purchase a camcorder that is able to record audio using XLR balanced-type microphones. With new features on our Afiniti 3.0 player, audio plays an important role in deciding which model to purchase.   Microphone connector—You should look for the option of connecting an external microphone. Most models have a standard mini-jack connector for an external microphone. Some high-end models have a 3-pin XLR connector, sometimes called a balanced audio connector.   Resolution—When looking at specification sheets to compare features and pricing, some list lines of resolution, other list the number of pixels (410,000 pixels). A good way to gauge this is to think that more is better when comparing resolution between camcorders.   Image Stabilization—This feature keeps video images stable while shooting in an action situation such as a sporting event. Depending on the model you choose, you will find either an optical system or an electronic system. An optical system is best and the highest quality method. With an optical system, there is no loss of image quality and is also effective in photo mode when shooting still pictures.   Optical vs. Digital Zoom—Most cameras have both optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom works just like a zoom lens on a film camera. The lens changes focal length and magnification as it is zoomed. Image quality stays high throughout the zoom range. Digital zoom simply crops the image to a smaller size, and then enlarges the cropped portion to fill the frame again. Digital zoom results in a significant loss of quality as is clear from the examples below. It's pretty much a last resort, and if you don't have it in camera, you can do a similar job using almost any image-editing program. HomeMovie.Com wants you to have the most ideal movie making experience possible. Although there are many digital video camcorders to choose from, there is sure to be one out there that will fit your needs! Reviews as of May 2006 BUDGET Low-Level ($300-$500) Mid-Level ($500-$800) Product Price Score Product Price Score Cnet 1. Canon ZR 600 $317 6.6 1. Sony DCR- DVD405 $667 7.6 2. Canon ZR 100 $355 5.8 2. Sony Handycam DCR-HC96 $699 7.1 3. JVC GR-D396 $392 N/A 3. Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 $729 7.0 4. Canon Optura 50 $445 6.9 4. Panasonic VDR-D300 $769 7.3       5. Sony DCR-DVD 505 $877 7.5 NY Times 1. Sony DCR-HC32 $399 6.8 1. Panasonic PV-GS300 $547 6.6 2. JVC GR-DF550 $399 6.6 2. Canon Optura S1 $579 6.8 3. Hitachi DZMV-550A $399 7.0 3. JVC Everio GZ MG27 $629 6.6 4. Panasonic PV-GS65 $463 7.5 4. Sony DCR-HC90 $748 7.0 5. Sony Handycam     DCR-H32 $499 7.2 5. Sony DCR-TRV22 $799 7.6