| Ten years ago the answer to the question of what | | | | (DVD-rewritable) discs that work with most ordinary |
| are the different types of camcorders would have | | | | DVD players and allow for actual recording of images |
| been Analog. Analog video cameras, which used to | | | | to the DVD disk. A great feature of this recording |
| record to VHS videotapes, were heavy, large and | | | | format is the ability to edit in-camera and with |
| bulky because they contained an entire video recorder, | | | | repeated playbacks the disk does not degrade. |
| along with the lens and camera device and had almost | | | | HDD Digital Camcorders: Hard Disk Drive camcorders |
| no options to choose from. | | | | are types that are compact and record in MPEG-2 |
| As with everything else camcorders have come a | | | | video that are saved to an internal hard disk drive |
| long way and today with digital technology the answer | | | | within the camcorder. The upside of this type of |
| to the question of what are the different types of | | | | camcorder is the ability of storing huge amounts of |
| camcorders has grown immensely. Today there is | | | | video data by using compression. The video is saved |
| digital and digital camcorders that are advanced while | | | | to the internal hard disc within the camcorder and then |
| being user-friendly, compact and provide a fun, easy | | | | downloaded to a computer and burnt onto to a DVD. |
| and accessible movie making experience for anyone. | | | | The HDD camcorder has no moving parts and so |
| The type of a digital camcorder mainly centers around | | | | there is less chance of mechanical breakdown. |
| the media it utilizes and specifically around its recording | | | | Flash Media Camcorders: This formats records |
| capability and storage device. There are several types | | | | images to an internal Flash drive and Flash Memory |
| of camcorders and choosing the right one for you | | | | cards. Flash Memory cards include, SD, Compact |
| mostly depends on this feature as it affects both | | | | Flash, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Duo. |
| usability and price. | | | | Digital 8 Camcorders: This format records digital video |
| MiniDV Camcorder: The MiniDV type of camcorder is | | | | to Hi-8 videotapes. Digital 8 is a consumer digital |
| small, sleek and stylish mostly due to the fact that it | | | | videotape format developed by Sony, and introduced |
| uses the very small MiniDV cassettes as the storage | | | | in 1999. Digital 8 camcorder uses the same |
| device. The recorded video is then transfered to PC | | | | videocassettes as analog Hi8 equipment, but differs in |
| via the firewire port on the PC and downloaded. Once | | | | that the audio/video signal is encoded digitally. Picture |
| edited and finished you can burn the completed video | | | | quality is fairly good and this format allows playback of |
| onto a DVD. This is a very popular and common type | | | | analog videotapes recorded on Hi-8 camcorders. |
| of camcorder. The video and sound quality is very | | | | VHS Camcorders: These types of camcorders still |
| good. | | | | records to VHS tapes but the data is recorded digitally. |
| MicroMV Camcorder: The MicroMV also uses tapes | | | | Picture quality is fairly good and this format allows |
| but they are are much smaller than MiniDV tapes and | | | | playback of analog videotapes. |
| the MicroMV uses advanced compression technology. | | | | The Wonderful World of High-Def: High definition is a |
| The Micro MV records very high quality video as well | | | | beautiful thing and HDV Digital Camcorders record and |
| as possess the capability of full digital editing. The | | | | save data in full 1920x1080 resolution. The most |
| MicroMV is also very compact, lightweight and ultra | | | | expensive of the bunch, High Definition Video |
| small. | | | | camcorders usually utilize MiniDV tapes or Hard Disk |
| DVD Camcorder: With this type of camcorder you | | | | Drive that capture and record video. The high |
| can record video directly to a DVD-R, DVD-RW and | | | | resolution recording provides the highest quality and |
| DVD RAM. | | | | clarity which provides the most magnificent video |
| DVD-R is a recordable DVD format with a write-once | | | | picture of any camcorder on the market today and it |
| only capability. DVD-RW is a recordable DVD but it | | | | looks great on high definition television. |
| allows rewrites and so provides unlimited writing to | | | | The key to choosing the right type of camcorder for |
| same disk. DVD-RAM or DVD Random Access | | | | you is to determine your personal use and to find a |
| Memory is a DVD disc, which can be recorded with | | | | happy medium between usability and price. While price |
| information, erased, and recorded again. DVD-RAM is | | | | differs among the many types of camcorders one |
| considered a highly reliable format, as the discs have | | | | thing is true about all camcorders they are an |
| built-in error control and a defect management system. | | | | expensive investment. An important fact to consider is |
| Therefore, DVD-RAM is perceived to be better than | | | | that the Internet has provided a forum where millions |
| the other DVD technologies. | | | | of sellers and merchants compete for your business, |
| There are two Versions of the DVD Type Digital | | | | and that competition provides many money saving |
| Camcorders: One works with rewritable DVD-RAM | | | | opportunities, retail is no longer the only option and lots |
| discs requiring a DVD player with RAM playback or a | | | | of money can be saved by purchasing a discount |
| PC with a DVD-RAM drive. The other works by using | | | | digital camcorder rather than paying retail. |
| the more popular DVD-RW and DVD-R | | | | |