Different Types of Camcorders
A camcorder (video camera recorder) is an electronic device that combines a video camera and a video recorder into one unit. Equipment manufacturers do not seem to have strict guidelines for the term usage. Marketing materials may present a video recording device as a camcorder, but the delivery package would identify content as video camera recorder.
In order to differentiate a camcorder from other devices that are capable of recording video, like cell phones and compact digital cameras, a camcorder is generally identified as a portable device having video capture and recording as its primary function.
The earliest camcorders employed analog recording onto videotape. Since the 1990s digital recording has become the norm, but tape remained the primary recording media. Starting from early 2000s tape is being gradually replaced with other storage media including optical disks, hard disk drives and flash memory.
Models that record on miniature DVD discs, built-in hard drives, and memory cards are becoming more common in standard-def and high-def versions.
MiniDV camcorders use a unique tape cassette. The typical recording time is 60 minutes at standard play speed, which gives you the best quality, or 90 minutes at lower quality.
DVD format offers benefits that tape can’t match: durability, compactness, and random access to scenes as with a DVD. That makes for more carefree recording, though you should avoid bumping the camcorder during use, and keep dirt out of the mechanism.
Hard Drives
Camcorders that record onto tiny, built-in hard drives are even easier to use. Because the drive is internal, it’s protected. There’s no recording media to buy or carry along. Like DVDs, hard drives are random access, but they’re even faster. Many models have 30 to 120 gigabytes of capacity, providing seven to 16 hours of recording at the highest-quality mode and 25 or more hours at lower quality.
Hard disk drive
Built-in drive
Pros:
• Higher capacity than other media types, which allows for longer continuous recording.
• Faster data transfer rate than DVDs and memory cards; may require less time for uploading video on a computer than a memory card.
Cons:
• Sensitive to atmospheric pressure. Most HDD-based camcorders cannot be operated at altitudes above 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
• Vulnerable to mechanical shock or fast movement.
• To transfer video to a computer the camcorder must be connected with a USB cable. Usage of an AC power adapter is often needed as well.
Removable drive
Removable HDDs are used in professional applications. When attached to a tape-based camcorder, a removable HDD offers fast direct-to-edit workflow and also acts as a duplicate media. When attached to a tapeless camcorder, a removable HDD offers redundant storage and often higher capacity than a memory card.
Flash Memory with digital formats using
Secure Digital (SD) or Memory Stick memory cards, the amount of standard-definition video you can record at the highest quality level can vary from 15 minutes to 1 hour on 256 MB to 2 GB cards.
Larger cards up to 16 GB are available.
Memory card
Utilizing solid-state flash technology, memory cards offer rewritable storage in a compact form factor with no moving parts.
Historically, flash memory capacity and pricing have improved steadily since introduction to the consumer market.
Pros:
• Do not require time for spin-up and initialization, always ready for recording.
• Not vulnerable to magnetic fields.
• Can withstand a wider range of air pressure and humidity than HDDs and tapes.
• The camera is more likely to survive being dropped than DVD, miniDV tape, and hard disk, which all have very delicate write/record head components.
• Can store mixed media content, including still images (snapshot photos or still-frame captures).
Cons:
• Compatibility issues: may need a proprietary reader
• Vulnerable to electrical damage, such as static discharge.
• Not yet proven to be reliable archival media.
Several manufacturers offer “hybrid” camcorders that combine a DVD or Blu-ray
drive and a hard drive or memory card in one unit. The hard drive is fast and
convenient for recording, while DVD or memory card storage is best for archiving
or sharing videos. Another type combo model is one that offers internal and removable flash memory.
Digicams Cameras that take video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor.
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