Faq's

What kind of camcorder should I buy?

So, you want to buy a new camcorder, huh? You've heard about HD, but is it really worth all the hype?

Good question. There are some factors that will help you determine this. Budget and compatibility with your existing TV will probably help you to determine which camcorder is for you. Here are the existing formats for consumers, that are available for purchase today:

Mini-DV
Mini- DVD
DVCAM
HDD- Hard Drive
Flash Memory
VHS-C - SVHS-C

Yes, the days of shooting video with your trusty camcorder, taking it home and popping it in the VCR, are still here- though you'll need that VHS adapter to do so. Likewise, you can also burn the same event on DVD and pop that in your DVD player and watch it as well.

What is the difference in all the formats available?

First, the Analog model (there is only ONE)

VHS-C (the "C" standing for compact) camcorders have the lowest picture quality. Horizontal resolution is at 250 Lines, on the best of days. These units use a compact cassette that uses a special 'adapter', that allows you to play these tapes in any VHS VCR, which makes it very convenient for those that can't learn new tricks.

SVHS-C ("S" standing for Super) camcorders are essentially a VHS-C camcorder on steroids, and have a higher picture quality- almost double the resolution. Horizontal resolution for SVHS is 400 lines.

There is currently only one model of SVHS-C camcorder on the market today. It's made by JVC, who invented the VHS format - go figure. This camcorder can record both regular VHS, and SVHS. However, the two are not compatible with each other, and SVHS is not compatible with older VCR's..

Hi-8 and Digital-8 camcorders are no longer manufactured. You'll have to buy used if your looking to convert your 8mm, or Hi-8 tapes to DVD. Stay away from all camcorder brands manufactured prior to 1998.

Next, the digital models:

Mini-DV - The standard of the day, and the choice of many a professional. It's 500 lines of horizontal resolution puts it on even par with broadcast quality. The tapes are small and convenient, as are the camcorders themselves. The picture quality and clarity is governed only by the front end, the lens and the CCD imager.

Mini-DVD- DVD models are digital, and do have a good picture. However, you should know that these units use MPEG video compression, and as such do not have as good a picture as Mini-DV, which use JPEG video compression. It's extremely important when handling disks, that you don't touch the surface of the disk, or leave behind any dirt, dust or fingerprints. The ability to record to disk, and then place it in your DVD player, makes it a perfect choice for many families.

DVCAM - This format is used mainly by professionals, but is available to the mass market. The heads have a larger gap, which give the camcorder the ability to be more forgiving, and make it the choice to use when missing brands of camcorders and decks together. Generally, the DVCAM camcorders are more robust, and have a better front end, which results in better picture quality.

HDD, Hard Disk Drive - Tapeless, at last! But there are trade-offs. These camcorders use the MPEG format, and for that reason, they have less picture quality than Mini-DV, or DVCAM. Also, you have to handle them with kid gloves, as you can damage the hard disk with too much rough handling. A good choice if you want to go tapeless. Quality is even par with DVD camcorders.

Flash Memory - Before recent developments in Flash Memory, these were the cheapest of camcorders, which quality to match. But now, with faster and larger capacity memory, they are now on even par with Hard Drive and DVD camcorders. The consumer models all use MPEG compression, which makes for a very good quality shots, but Mini-DV, or DVCAM they'll never be.

What about HD camcorders?

Nice to watch something in hi-def, yes it is. However, it too uses MPEG compression, and fluid motion actually looks better in standard def, believe it or not. Still, it is HD, and that's the way everyone is going these days. Not everyone is there yet, and DV still rules. Consider HD camcorders only if you've the means to enjoy the playback. Almost all HD camcorders are backwards compatible with DV.

What is Low Lux?

Lux is a measurement of light intensity. The term 'Low Lux' means that the camera can 'see' in very low light. The Lux measurement is usually in candles, foot-candles to be precise. Usually the lower the number the better, but when you start getting in to the decimals, the point is mute.

Years ago, before solid state devices like the CCD were available, pickup tubes were used for the imaging device. Terms such as "saticon, newvicon, plumbicon, vidicon" are used to describe the type of tube used as the imaging device. Each tube has it's characteristics. Some were better in low light, and others, HAD to have lots of light to produce a descent image, hence the Lux value was important.

Suffice it to say that as long as it's 1 Lux or less, you'll be fine. But lets do get real here, how many people do you know that would take their camcorder into a room and shoot video holding a candle in there hands for a light source?

What is Night Vision?

Is it a gimmick?

Sure, you flip a switch and the picture turns green, but does it really work? The answer is YES!, it does work, and quite well. The digital imaging and processing of today really make a huge difference over the cameras and camcorders that were available just a few years ago.

With a camera that has 'night vision', one can easily see into a dark area, which cannot be seen by human eyes. There is not enough light for color information, so it will be in B&W, or should I say, "green and white". If you're going to be doing some shooting at night time, or surveillance work, or in a poorly lighted area, and don't mind not having color, then 'night vision' is a must for you.

Of all the brands that are available, Sony by far has the best night vision.

What is Steady Shot?

What is that? Simply put, it's special electronic circuitry that compensates for the movement, or shaking, of your hands. When you don't have a tripod, and you would like a lot less motion sickness when watching what you have recorded, then steady shot is a definite must. The difference is night and day, really. It is worth the expense.

What is Firewire?

Firewire is an old term employed by Apple. It is also referred to as iLink by Sony. It has been replaced by the term IEEE1394, which is a transmission standard. The term IEEE means, "International Electrical and Electronic Engineers" and 1394 is the standard of transmitting digital information between electronic devices, through cables. Not any ordinary cables mind you, but special, twisted pair cables, similar in design to Cat5 cable.

IEEE1394 allows sharing and communication of digital information between devices that have the special IEEE1394 ports. There are special cards that you can buy at the computer stores that you can insert and configure in your computer, which will allow your computer to communicate directly with a device that supports IEEE1394. If you camcorder is digital, then it WILL have an IEEE1394 Port.

Something else about firewire you won't hear from the manufacturers is something you should take seriously: The firewire cables. It is all too easy to inadvertently insert a 6 pin firewire cable backwards, wreaking serious damage to your DV deck. In some cases thousands of dollars worth of damage can be done to equipment in this fashion. This is becoming a serious issue, that has not, and probably will not be addressed, as IEEE1394 IS the standard... Your advised to use caution when inserting the 6 pin cables to standard DV ports on your computer.

Is USB the same thing as IEEE1394 (Firewire, iLink)?

No. They are completely different. USB is for consumer equipment like fax's, scanners, digital still cameras, etc. IEEE1394 is for professional or broadcast use. IEEE1394 has higher bandwidth, and can handle more information than USB, and was designed for video transmission.

I have heard the term 'bad caps', can you explain?

'Bad caps' refers to leaking electrolytic capacitors. Capacitors come in many shapes and sizes, but when one refers to 'bad caps', they are speaking of either electrolytic's, or surface mount electrolytic.

Capacitors are used in just about every electronic circuit. They are heat sensitive, and will break down, and leak, over time. Between the years of 1998 - 1995 there were a batch of capacitors that were particularly vulnerable. These capacitors were used in virtually every brand of compact camcorders, and VCR's, including professional video.

When a capacitor begins to physically leak, a caustic substance slowly oozes out, and begins to eat away at the circuit board, and anything else it touches in the surrounding area. If the circuit board has multiple layers, the acid can destroy the circuit board, rendering the unit un-repairable.

It should be noted that EVERY surface mount electrolytic capacitor should be changed. Be weary of shops that only change a few, as they will ALL eventually leak, causing more, but different, problems for you in the future.

Labor to replace these 'bad caps' begins at $300.00 for compact camcorders and $200.00 for Full-size units (that are affected), with the caps costing $1.00 each.

Camcorders that ARE recommended for repair are:

All models from 1998 and up.

Camcorders that are NOT recommended for repair are:

Anything before 1998 - go shopping.