The Types Of Camcorders
By Chris Vorelli, Fri Dec 9th

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If you are planning on purchasing a camcorder, you should befamiliar with the types of camcorders and how they can benefityour specific needs. The formats of video cameras include, VHS,VHS-C, 8mm, Hi8, Mini Digital Video (Mini DV), DVD and Digital8. Each format has its pros and cons

VHS

The VHS format is the oldest type of camcorder. This type ofvideo is fast becoming outdated, because you can onlyplay back the video on a VHS VCR system. VHS camcorders are not nearly as clear as digital video camcorders that offer clearvideo with 540 lines of resolution, VHS video cameras only offer240 lines of resolution. They also weigh more and are much morebulky, that dv camcorders. You can only find these video cameraused because their technology is now outdated.

VHS-C The VHS-C format offer 240 lines of resolution, just likeVHS. These analog camcorders come in a smaller size that the VHScamcorder models, but use the same technology. The video tapesused in VHS-C camcorders are much smaller in size than VHS, justin a smaller design. VHS-C is considered oldtechnology and not used today in newer models.

8mm If you are looking to record more than 1 hour, then 8mm camcorders are perfect. These video cameras canrecord up to 5 hours of footage and they offer better videoquality that VHS cameras. In order to view video from your 8mmvideo camcorder, you need to connect the to inputjacks on your TV or your VCR system.

MiniDV

MiniDV, short for mini Digital Video off the clearest and mostvivid 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 yourhand, making them very easy to handle and transport. And if youlike editing your video footage you can connect dv camcorders toyour

computer system. Transferring the video is a snap with theFireWire connection. Once the footage is in your computers harddrive you can burn it to dvd, add it to your web site or emailsmall clips to friends and family.

Digital8

Digital8 camcorders offer the best of both worlds, Hi8 and DV.You can use 8mm and hi8 video tapes combined with the best imagequality found in digital formats. Digital8 camcordersare larger and heavier than Mini DV camcorders, but they arealso cheaper in price. The Digital8 system offers 540 lines ofcrystal clear resolution.

DVD Camcorders

The newest form of digital video cameras are DVD camcorders. These camcorders are small in size, justlike Digital8 and Mini DV camcorders. The big differencecompared to other systems is that DVD camcorders userecordable DVD discs such as DVD-R or DVD-RW. The big benefit todvd video cameras is that they can be played on your home DVDplayer, and of course the quality is the best you can find.

Price comparisons

If you want to buy the cheapest priced go for a VHSanalog camcorder, you don't get the same quality as digitalcamcorders however if you plan on filming family vacations thisshould be sufficient for your needs. Then there are DVDcamcorders, they are the most expensive of digital videocameras, but at the same time, they are the newest technologyoffering the best image and sound quality. Lastly is the mini dvformat, this is probably the best camcorder for the price and quality. Small insize and reasonably priced. Review top manufacturers such asPanasonic, Sharp, Canon and Sony which offer the very popular Sony Handycam.

About the author:R Gazzo offers info on digitalcamcorders, camcorder reviews, Sony camcorders , Canon camcorders.