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Camcorders - Buyers Guide |
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Camcorders - Buyers GuideCamcorder Formats Compared
Hi8 / S-VHS 
Digital 8 
DV / Micro MV 
DVD Digital Camcorders 
*ImageMixer software cannot be used with Macintosh computers ** The image may freeze for an instatnt between scenes dependng on the DVD player being used. Useful Features There are plenty of useful features designed to make operating a camcorder as easy as possible. Blurry, shaky and poorly framed footage can be a thing of the past. Image Stabilisers The smallest vibrations can result in shaky footage. An image stabiliser compensates for hand movements or processes the image to keep the picture rock-steady. Especially useful when zooming in as the slightest movement is exaggerated onscreen. Optical and Digital Zoom The zoom moves you closer to the action. All camcorders have an optical and digital zoom. Optical zooms (usually between 10x and 22x) move the image closer by internal lens movement. The image remains crystal clear. Digital zooms take-over when the optical zoom runs out, processing the image artificially. Manual Focus Essential for situations when the auto focus can’t cope such as shooting through a window, when the image lacks detail or when you want to concentrate on something closer to the lens than the main subject. Night Time Recording Many camcorders allow you to film even in total darkness by using infrared light to produce footage taken at night. 
Programme AE modes Provided in addition to a fully automatic recording mode. Each AE mode is tailor-made for different conditions such as Sports, Sunset, Landscape and Portrait with the shutter speed, exposure and focus adjusted automatically. Some camcorders also have manual overrides for extra creative control. LCD Screen Many camcorders feature fold-out LCD screens because: 1. They let you hold the camcorder away from the body which is less tiring on the eyes. 2. They let you access other controls without pausing the recording. 3. They let you make smoother camera movements. 4. You can use them to watch your recorded footage. Photo Mode (Megapixels) The Camcorder can be used to take still photos just like a camera. The best models have CCDs (optical sensor converting light into electronic signals) and a Memory Card slot, which allows you to store still images onto a Memory card without the need for camera film. DV Out/ In Provides you with the digital connection for transferring DV recordings to a PC, where they can be enhanced or edited. DV in allows you to make copies of edited recordings from a PC. The Digital Advantage DV Camcorders not only provide enhanced picture and sound quality, as we're about to discover, they can also offer loads of extra features and flexibility... PC Compatibility Because DV camcorders record digital images, they can easily be transferred directly to PCs and beyond. Here we follow the path of a digital image from DV camcorder to videotape. Step 1 You can download recordings from your DV camcorder to any PC that has an DV-out digital input. 
Step 2 Once in your PC, your recordings can be edited into shape using special software packages, which are usually included with your camcorder. Different software packages offer different levels of flexibility, but basic functionality usually includes re-ordering shots, cutting out scenes you don't like, and adding special sound effects and music. 
Step 3 Depending on your PC's outputs, the finished movie can be transferred onto video tape. The digital footage needs to be converted into analogue for this to happen, which you can either do via your camcorder (as long as it has a digital input or DV-in, as well as a digital output) or directly from your PC if it has an analogue output board fitted. 
Still Photo Mode Some digital camcorders have enough pixel resolution to take good quality digital still photographs as well as movies. These pictures can then be stored on a memory card and later transferred to a PC for printing or e-mailing Digital / Analogue Connectivity Some digital camcorders have enough pixel resolution to take good quality digital still photographs as well as movies. These pictures can then be stored on a memory card and later transferred to a PC for printing or e-mailing 
MPEG Movies
You can even record short MPEG e-movies with your camcorder. These are lower quality movies that can be sent to friends or family via e-mail. Only available on selected camcorders with memory card storage and USB connections. 
Smaller Tapes
DV tapes are about half the size of analogue 8mm ones. MICROMV tapes are tiny - they're 70% smaller than DV tapes and record a full 60 minutes of digital footage. The size of the tape is the reason for the camcorder being so tiny. USB The USB connection is the link between recording and the final photo. Required for the transfer of still pictures to a PC where they can be e-mailed to friends and family or edited. Can also be used to turn your camcorder into a webcam for live internet conversations. Bluetooth A wireless transmission technology found on a select few camcorders. Digital still pictures and MPEG movies can be e-mailed without a fixed phone line or PC. Requires a Bluetooth mobile phone or a special modem adapter Accessories & Batteries Buying a camcorder is sometimes just the start. Here are some additional accessories we strongly advise you to consider: Spare Battery Essential to make sure you don't run out of power! Most camcorders use lithium-ion batteries but some use Infolithium batteries which calculate the remaining recording time and displays this to you. The battery type for the camcorder will be indicated in the product features. Tapes To enable you to capture and store those special events. The type of tape depends on the format of the camcorder. For example VHS-C use VHS tapes, 8mm use 8mm tapes etc. The only exception is Digital 8 camcorders which use Hi-8 tapes Bags A bag to protect you new camcorder and carry all the essentials around together. Extra Memory If the camcorder has still photo mode you will need memory sticks to capture the images on. Starter Kits There starter kits for most camcorders and they make things very simple. They usually contain a tape, battery and bag that is specific to the camcorder. 
This Product Guide was provided by kind permmission of Comet. Comet checks competitors' prices, then lowers their own. |
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