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Let's take a look at the various
factors to consider when purchasing your first camcorder. Analog or Digital Format? The first decision you have to make is this: do you want to work with video in an analog format (VHS-C, 8mm and Hi8) or a digital format (MiniDV, Digital8, MicroMV, Digital Tapeless and DVD). The digital format is all the rage now, just look at the digital camcorders flying off the shelves offline and online. Of course, a digital camcorder is slightly more expensive than an analog one. If
you simply cannot decide whether to go digital or analog, just consider the
intended usage of your camera. If you intend to capture video into the computer
and do some video editing, then my advice is to go for a digital camcorder. If
you don't mind lower quality video, then save your money and get an analog
camera. You can still import video from your analog camera into your computer
using an analog-to-digital conversion device (albeit with some loss in quality). What's Your Budget? As with all purchases you make, you need to
consider your budget. A low-end digital camera like the Canon ZR200
will set you back about $400. A super duper high-end model like
the Sony HDR-FX1
will cost a bomb at $3000. Be sure to compare prices
and get the best deals matching the features you want in your
camera. Of course, the more you pay, the better features you'll get - that's a
known fact. Other Features The features and attributes to consider when purchasing a camcorder include:
To me, only the first attribute (Firewire support) is absolutely critical. Never buy a digital camcorder that does not have Firewire support (a rarity these days anyway). The other attributes like lens quality, LCD size and optical stabilization are nice to have but should not matter if you are just an average home user. The last attribute - digital still
image capability - gives you the ability to shoot pictures just like a digital
still camera. I personally think there's no need for this feature, as it jacks
up the price tag way too much. I'd prefer to get a basic videocam and a proper
digital still camera separately if I want to both shoot videos and take still
pictures. Recommended Camcorders Let's now take a look at some of the camcorders
I personally recommend which are available in the market today. I've classified
them according to budget - from a low-end model, to a mid-range model and
finally to a high-end one. A Budget Digital Camcorder
A Mid-range Digital Camcorder
A High-End Digital Camcorder
Conclusion So while it seems you are blinded by the vast array of choices available for digital camcorders, my advice is to focus on your budget and intended usage of the camera. I know some professional wedding videographers who use their digital camcorders to shoot wedding videos. These guys need the best, high-end models. If you're a average home user, start with a lower-end to mid-range model. You can always upgrade to a better model later as you get more experienced in digital video.
If you've always wanted to create your own web video, you may want to take a look at a tool called V2F. V2F is powerful program that takes your video file, compresses it and converts it to Flash. It then creates the HTML that you need to put on your web site to display the web video. Related ArticlesYou may also wish to read the following related articles:
A review of the Sony DCR-HC21 MiniDV camcorder © 2007 Desktop-Video-Guide.com
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How
To Create Web Video