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If you are planning to buy a digital camcorder, it's easy to get confused by
the multiple formats that are available today out there. This article help you
to sort out the common format available today highlighting their strength and
weaknesses. We'll be looking at point and shoot fully auto mode camcorders to
semi-manual models for more advanced and professional works.
A digital camcorder stores video in digital format, and also known as digital
video (DV). Why go digital? What are the advantages of this format has over our
old but faithful analog format? Here are the reasons why we would prefer digital
format over analog:
- Video quality is way better -
higher resolution and able to retain over multiple digital
transfer.
- Tapes are more robust.
- Capturing for editing is a lot
simpler. Capturing software is able to control the camera makes
this task easier.
- Editing is now possible with
cheaper non-linear editing software and computer.
- Timecode feature that allows
easier scene searching and scanning.
Currently, there are a few types of
consumer level digital camcorders. They are :
- Mini-DV
- Digital-8
- Micro-MV
- DVD camcorders
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Mini-DV
Based on DV, this is currently the most widely used format for
digital video. It is an interlaced format with resolutions of
720x576 pixels for PAL and 720x480 for NTSC. It uses JPEG
compression to achieve 5:1 compression ratio which is generally
quite good. Mini-DV camcorders use IEEE 1394 port, commonly know as
Firewire, to send both video and audio data back and forth to
computers and other compatible devices such as another Mini-DV
camcorder. |
Sony DCR-PC330 |
Mini-DV tape is about the size of a
matchbox. The longest tape available is 60 minutes although some
model of camcorders allow up to 90 min of recording time on a 60 min
tape in Long Play mode (LP). This is made possible by slowing down
the tape transport mechanism to squeeze in more data as usual.
However, this is not recommended for recording important moments as
this mode is more prone to recording errors.
>>
Click here for more Sony Mini DV models |
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Micro-MV
Micro-MV format is first used in Sony camcorders. This
format encodes data in MPEG-2 format which has a higher
compression ratio than Mini-DV thus allowing the tapes
and camcorder to be considerably smaller. Its higher
compression ratio makes Mini-DV a better choice for
consumer who wants to edit and produce high quality
video. Currently, there are very few editing software to
support Micro-MV editing. |
Sony DCR-IP220 |
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Micro-MV camcorder also
uses Firewire to transfer data. However, you would need
to have a suitable editing software that understand this
format.
>>
Click here for more Sony Micro MV models
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Digital 8
These camcorders use the same format as Mini-DV but storing them on
a different kind of tape, the Hi-8. First used by Sony, the Hi-8 is
an analog format. The tapes are bigger in size, as big as audio
cassette tapes. Digital 8 camcorders capture and encode video into
Mini-DV format but saving them on Hi-8 tapes. The bigger tape design
also translates to bulkier camcorder. Digital 8 camcorders also
feature Firewire to transfer data and communicate with computers. |
Sony DCR-TRV355E |
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The low price of Digital 8
camcorders make them a good choice for consumer to step into the
world of digital video. However, the recent wave of affordable Mini-DV
camcorders really make the Digital 8 siblings look yesteryears. The
price gap is so narrow now and it really makes no sense in not going
for the Mini-DV models.
>>
Click here
for more Sony Digital 8 models
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DVD Camcorders
Similar to Micro-MV, DVD camcorders also encode video in MPEG-2
format. But, these camcorders records data straight into DVD-R or
DVD-RAM discs instead of tapes. The recorded discs are readily
available for playback by popping them into home DVD players. These
camcorders are suitable for consumers who do not to edit their
videos. Their very low data rate is barely suitable for playback
only. As with Micro-MV, if you are keen to edit your captured
videos, then try to avoid this range of camcorders. |
Panasonic VDR-M70
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Hitachi Electronics introduced the
first DVD camcorders to the market. The ever increasing demand for
this format has lured more vendors like Sony, Panasonic and Samsung
into releasing their own models.
>>
Click here
for more Panasonic DVD camcorder models
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Characteristics at
a glance
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Mini-DV |
Micro-MV |
Digital 8 |
DVD Cam. |
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Format |
DV |
MPEG-2 |
DV |
MPEG-2 |
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Medium |
Tape |
Tape |
Tape |
DVD-R/RAM |
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Video
Quality |
High |
Moderate |
High |
Poor |
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Editing |
V. Good |
Good |
V. Good |
Poor |
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Popularity |
High |
Low |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Sure, Micro-MV and DVD
camcorders are the latest and more attractive technology. They are
great and fun for simple shooting and sharing. Micro-MV camcorders
are ultra-compact and very portable. DVD camcorders sport instant
playback on home DVD players. But if producing high quality videos
and extensive editing is your priority, then choose DV, Mini-DV.
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