Camcorder FAQs

• What is a camcorder?
• What is the difference between the many video formats?
• Which format should I get?
• What model camcorder should I get?
• What is the different between a PAL and NTSC camcorder?
• Should I get a PAL or NTSC camcorder?
• Do SECAM camcorders exist?
• What are the inputs/outputs on camcorders for?

What is a camcorder?

A camcorder is a device which allows you to record motion picture onto video tape.

What is the difference between the many video formats?

Camcorders come in a wide range of different formats, each format being drastically different from each other. Here's a breakdown of the different formats and what makes them unique:

VHS/VHS-C - The lowest quality camcorder. These camcorders record directly onto a VHS tape, which you can take out of your camcorder and put directly into your VCR. VHS-C is a compact form of VHS. Smaller in cassette size, the VHS-C format is more convenient since you can use an adapter to play a VHS-C tape in your VCR.

S-VHS - Not as widely used as it used to be. The S-VHS or Super VHS format holds more lines of resolution and will give you a better image quality. However, an S-VHS tape will not play in a normal VHS VCR. You need an S-VHS VCR to play an S-VHS tape.

8mm/Hi8/Digital 8 - More inexpensive than DV camcorders, 8mm camcorders record at a high resolution and can usually record up to 2 hours of quality recording on each tape. Sony introduced the Digital 8 series of camcorders which records data digitally onto Hi8 tapes.

DV - DV (or digital video) is the highest level of consumer camcorders. These record at 500+ lines of resolution and can be used with the ultra compact DV-Mini tapes.

Beta/DVCAM - These are the highest formats and are considered television broadcast quality. Generally, these are the formats used by major television stations. Camcorders of these formats can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 or more.

Which format should I get?

This matter is something which only you can answer. The old adage, "you get what you pay for", holds very much true regarding camcorders. You can get an inexpensive VHS/VHS-C camcorder, but don't expect great quality. On the other hand, you can get a DV camcorder which costs considerable more, but you'll get the best comsumer quality available.

What model camcorder should I get?

This is very much the eternal question. There are literally hundreds of different models and choosing one can be difficult. Here's a few steps to help you choose. Decide what format camcorder you want. Decide what features you'd like. When deciding on features, be careful of what you want. Often times, people will spend extra money to get a camcorder with a super long zoom only to find a month down the road that they really didn't need it and will rarely ever use it. Next, after seeing what the selection is, decide exactly how much you want to spend. Creating a budget will help greatly when deciding what to buy. Also consider size, weight and other factors. Go to outside sources and read reviews. After doing your research, you should be able to select what you want and get a camcorder you'll be happy with.

What is the difference between a PAL and NTSC camcorder?

In North America, the video system used is called NTSC. Overseas, the video system s typically PAL. These systems are incompatible with each other.

Should I get a PAL or NTSC camcorder?

This depends on where you'll be watching your video tapes. If you're going to be watching your tapes in North America, then you'll need an NTSC camcorder. If you're going to be watching your tapes overseas in a PAL/SECAM format country, then you'll need a PAL camcorder.

Do SECAM camcorders exist?

Not anymore. SECAM camcorders were produced several years ago but are no longer in production. This is not a problem, though. All SECAM countries are compatible with PAL. SECAM-only TVs and VCRs are no longer in production, either. If a television is SECAM, it is also PAL.

What are the inputs/outputs on camcorders for?

VHS camcorders are the only camcorders where you can take the tape out of your camcorder and stick it directly into your VCR to watch. All the other formats require that the video be outputted from the camcorder. For example, if you had a DV camcorder and wanted to watch it on your television, you'd use the RCA outputs. You could also connect these outputs directly to your VCR and a make VHS copy. Some digital camcorders include what is called digital out or firewire out. This is a method by which a camcorder outputs its video signal digitally. When hooked up to a computer, you can download an entire day's recording onto your computer. The DV IN that some camcorders have also allow you to output from your computer digitally and record digitally onto the camcorder.