Types of camcorders

If you are planning on purchasing a camcorder, you should be familiar with

the types of camcorders and how they can benefit your specific needs. The

formats of video cameras include, VHS, VHS-C,

8mm, Hi8, Mini Digital Video (Mini DV), DVD and Digital 8. Each format has

its pros and cons

VHS


The VHS format is the oldest type of camcorder. This type of video camcorder

is fast becoming outdated, because you can only play back

the video on a VHS VCR system. VHS

camcorders are not nearly as clear as digital

video camcorders that offer clear video with 540 lines of resolution,

VHS video cameras only offer 240 lines of resolution. They also weigh more

and are much more bulky, that dv camcorders. You can only find these video

camera used because their technology is now outdated.

VHS-C


The VHS-C format offer 240 lines of resolution, just like VHS. These analog

camcorders come in a smaller size that the VHS camcorder models, but use

the same technology. The video tapes used in VHS-C camcorders are much smaller

8mm


If you are looking to record more than 1 hour, then 8mm

camcorders are perfect. These video cameras can record up to 5 hours of

footage and they offer better video quality that VHS cameras. In order to

view video from your 8mm video camcorder, you

need to connect the camcorder to input jacks on your TV or your VCR system.

MiniDV


MiniDV, short for mini Digital Video

off the clearest and most vivid colors out of all the types of camcorders

on the market, and they're small in size only 4 inches in width and height.

Mini

dv camcorders can fit in the palm of your hand, making them very easy

to handle and transport. And if you like editing your video footage you can

connect dv camcorders to your computer system. Transferring the video is

a snap with the FireWire

connection. Once the footage is in your computers hard drive you can burn it

Digital8


Digital8 camcorders offer the best of both worlds, Hi8 and DV. You can use

8mm and hi8 video tapes combined with the best image quality found in digital

camcorder formats. Digital8 camcorders are larger and heavier than Mini

DV camcorders, but they are also cheaper in price. The Digital8 system offers

540 lines of crystal clear resolution.

DVD Camcorders


The newest form of digital video cameras are DVD

camcorders. These camcorders

are small in size, just like Digital8 and Mini DV camcorders. The big difference

compared to other camcorder systems is that DVD camcorders use recordable

DVD discs such as DVD-R or DVD-RW. The big benefit to dvd video cameras

is that they can be played on your home DVD player, and of course the quality

is the best you can find.

Price comparisons

If you want to buy the cheapest priced camcorder go for a VHS analog camcorder,

you don't get the same quality as digital camcorders however if you plan on

filming family vacations this should be sufficient for your needs. Then there

are DVD camcorders, they are the most expensive of digital video cameras,

but at the same time, they are the newest technology offering the best image

and sound quality. Lastly

is the mini dv format, this is probably the

best

camcorder for the price and quality. Small in size and reasonably priced.

Review top manufacturers such as Panasonic, Sharp, Canon

and Sony which offer the very popular Sony

Handycam.

About the author:


Chris Vorelli offers info on digital

camcorders, camcorder

reviews, Sony

camcorders , Canon

camcorders, & Samsung

camcorders and more. Reprint permission will all hyper links intact. © http://www.digital-camcorders-reviews.net/