Digital Camcorders

Tom

I am a FH squatter
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Mini DV is the format that most digital camcorders use. The next size up is DVCAM, which has some compatiability with mini DV.

Mini DV is a good format, its used quite often on television programs (although rarely in a good way). The tapes are quite cheap now.
 

.Wilier.

One of Freddy's beloved
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Dec 22, 2003
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798
miniDV allows the makers to create nice small machines, and like Tom says, the quality is good, certainly good enough for home video.

Theres a lot of moves currently toward mini DVD camcorders, using DVD/RW 8cm discs which the camera writes directly to. The advantage being that you dont need to record from the miniDV tape onto VHS or DVD via the PC. Sony have also released a microDV format, which makes for super small camera's (not always an advantage, since its more difficult to hold them steady). You can even get mpeg4 recorders now, which record direct to an SD card or similar, although the playback quality is comparativley poor.

The disadvantage being that they are all relativley new formats, certainly compared to miniDV, and as such, you pay a premium for the technology. So a DVD cam of the same price as a mDV cam will NOT be a comparative camera.

I should get a miniDV Laz, tapes are cheap now, you can stream most via firewire, USB2 or Bluetooth to your PC, or direct into you DVD recorder or VHS recorder. The cameras are small, light and of good qualtiy, and most have the capability to take stills (of an admitedly poor quality) direct to SD card.

</2 pence>
 

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