Camcorder
Formats
MiniDV (Digital)
Digital8
Digital Media
DVD (Digital)
VHS-C (Analog)
Need more information? Check out our
Glossary of Camcorder Terms.
MiniDV (Digital)
 MiniDV,
the most common type of digital camcorder, records video using the
standard DV-format. It's the preferred format for broadcast-quality
video, and it is also highly regarded for its high audio and still
image quality. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the
size of a standard VHS tape. Tapes come in lengths of 60 and 80
minutes at standard speed (SP), with use of lower speed mode (SP)
increasing time to 90 and 120 minutes while reducing resolution.
.All MiniDV camcorders
Digital8
 Digital8
camcorders are the most affordable way to get started with digital
video. They record digital data onto high-band 8mm tapes, and many
Digital8 models can still view tapes from your old 8mm or Hi-8
camcorder (though some newer models are not backward compatible).
However, because of the larger tape size, Digital8 camcorders tend
to be a bit bigger in size and weight than MiniDV models. A
120-minute Hi-8 tape will capture 60 minutes of digital video.
.All Digital8 camcorders
Digital Media
 Tapeless
camcorders make use of the compression power of the MPEG-4 file
format (often called the MP3 of video) to allow you to record
directly to memory cards, dispensing with the need for tapes
altogether. They may require slightly more computer savvy than other
formats, but are more user-friendly than you might expect, and,
without the need for a tape mechanism, allow for the most compact
camcorder body sizes ever made.
·
All Media camcorders
DVD (Digital)
 DVD
camcorders record video directly onto DVD discs, using the
compressed MPEG-2 format. There are two disc formats to which DVD
camcorders record data--DVD-RAM from Panasonic and Hitachi and
DVD-R/RW from Sony--and you should choose the format that will best
fit your needs: DVD-RAM/R are require a DVD player with RAM
playback or a PC with a DVD-RAM drive, but can record up to 120
minutes, and let you record and erase scenes up to 100,000 times.
The more popular DVD-R/RW format offers better compatibility
with DVD players and PC DVD drives, but let you record only once.
.
All DVD camcorders
VHS-C (Analog)
 The
most affordable camcorder format--and still quite popular--VHS-C
format tapes are simply smaller-size VHS tapes (The C is for
compact). You can play your tapes in any VCR with the included
cassette adapter. However, VHS-C tapes offer some of the shortest
recording times (40 minutes) and lowest video resolution of analog
formats.
·
All VHS-C camcorders
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