Digital Camcorder BasicsMaking great digital movies requires knowing some of the basics about digitalvideo cameras. Electronics stores tend to advertise features with exciting statis-tics, hoping marketing hype will reel you in to the store and convert you fromgawker to DV camcorder owner. This part of the book will help direct youtoward important camcorder features, while ignoring the features that just don’tmatter.

Basics related to use of tripods, extending battery life, and a few importantcamcorder features are also covered here. While the onscreen menu systemfound on each camcorder varies by manufacturer, the features covered arefound on camcorders of all budget ranges.

This part of the book should help you make a decision about which type ofcamcorder will suit your needs, if you don’t currently own a DV camcorder.While each feature is numbered, the features described aren’t necessarily indeclining order of importance.

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Hardware Connectors

S-video cable

Video cable

Stereo cable

4-pin connector

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FireWire is a must for transferring digital video from the camera to the computer.

Analog connectors are used to transfer old footage from a VCR or Hi8 camcorderto your computer. LCD viewfinders help in framing your shot. A bigger LCD makes viewing whatyou record easier.

The Electronic Image Stabilizing feature (Sony calls this Steadyshot) keeps thepicture from jumping around when recording with the camcorder in your hand.

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Identifying “Can’t Live Without”Camcorder Features

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TBigger Isn’t BetterWhile a bigger LCD screen doesmake monitoring what you recordeasier, it also drains the batterymore quickly. This is an importantconsideration when planning touse a camcorder away from anavailable power outlet.

Camcorders offer more featuresthan most users ever use. Thistask helps you identify featuresyou need.

Out with the OldIf you don’t have any old videos,having an analog connector onyour camcorder isn’t necessary.However, it will save you moneyon buying other hardware if youdo have a collection of oldmedia that you want to import.

FireWirereceptacle

Analogconnector

LCDviewfinder

ElectronicImageStabilizing

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When to ZoomUsing zoom to close in on somethingwhile the camcorder is recording isn’trecommended—it might make viewersill. Instead, zoom the shot with record-ing paused, and then start recordingonly after achieving the desired shot inthe viewfinder.

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Optical Zoom is important for capturing distance shots or closing in on nearbyaction.

An accessory shoe, sometimes called a hot shoe, is ideal for adding an outboardlight or microphone to the camera.

Still Camera Mode won’t take pictures as well as a digital still camera, but worksas a great substitute when no other option exists.

A remote, for controlling recording when you aren’t standing next to thecamcorder. End

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Two Ways to Take StillsMost digital camcorders offer two methods for taking stillimages. When recording to tape, the camcorder will freezeon an image for a few seconds, often allowing the audiotrack to continue recording. When recording to the flashmemory card, the camcorder takes a still picture just like adigital still camera would.

Opticalzoom

Accessoryshoe

Still CameraMode

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Smooth panning via a fluid head is a must for following action without jerky cameramovement. Panning should function both horizontally and vertically.

Tilt is an additional feature of the tripod head designed for composing shots atangles ranging from horizontal to 90 degrees.Pan handles are standard on most tripods, assisting in the production of smoothmovements when following action.

Level the tripod using onboard leveling bubbles.

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Picking the Right Tripod

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More Leveling BubblesBetter tripods provide individualleveling bubbles for the leg portionof the tripod, as well as for thehead portion where the camcorderactually rests. Using both bubbleswill help you achieve more accu-rate camcorder positioning.

A tripod is the most important DVcamcorder feature not built in tothe camcorder. No matter howsteady your hand may be, puttingthe camcorder on a tripod willimprove the appearance of yourvideo drastically.

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T Tripod Not FoundWhen no tripod is available,stabilize your body against atree, building, or any other sta-tionary object. Use both handson the camera to help preventshaky images.

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Hang additional weight from the center weight hook to counter the weight of your cam-corder and prevent tipping.

Telescoping legs compact for easy carrying while expanding to achieve optimum heightfor camcorder positioning. Look at two features here, maximum height and closed length.

Adjustable no-slip rubber feet increase stability on any surface.

Quick release plates make switching from tripod to handheld recording faster.

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T Affordable StabilityTripods are manufactured using avariety of materials, includingaluminum, carbon fiber, andalloy steel. Find the perfect trade-off between durability of the tri-pod and the resulting weight bytesting models at the store.

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Frame the subject you want to record in the viewfinder.

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Mount the camcorder on your tripod.

Open the LCD display.

Power on the camcorder in camera mode.

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Using the Zoom Feature

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Use a Tripod WhenZoomingZoom magnifies the image thecamcorder is capturing. It alsomagnifies any shaking of the cam-era or sudden movements. To keepzoomed images looking their best,use a tripod when zooming.

While getting the camcorderphysically close to whatever youare recording is always the bestoption for great video quality,there are times this isn’t possible.Fortunately, camcorders include azoom feature to bring far awayobjects closer to the viewer.

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N Digital Zoom BewareDigital zoom numbers represent how large the camera canincrease the size of individual pixels in an image. Thisdoesn’t actually get you a close-up shot of the subject youare trying to record. Using digital zoom can result in grainylooking video if you try to zoom in on something from toofar away, as evidenced in the examples.

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Zoom in to the maximum optical zoom by pushing the zoom button toward the T toget a close up.

Notice the image quality.

Zoom in further using digital zoom by pushing the zoom in button toward the T again.

Notice the extremely grainy quality of the image, which doesn’t translate to moviesanyone will want to watch. End

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Monitoring recording with the LCD viewfinder approximates the shot composition ofyour final movie.

Use the onboard speaker, in conjunction with the LCD for instantaneous feedbackabout image and sound quality.

Connect the camcorder to a TV via the AV jack and then adjust brightness on theLCD monitor for a more accurate view of what the camcorder is seeing.

Flip the LCD around to monitor the recording when you are the movie subject.

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Using the DV Camcorder LCD

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Hoodman Camcorder HoodsGlare from the sun can render theLCD viewfinder almost useless.Hoodman Camcorder hoods (hood-manusa.com) attach to the LCD viaa hook and latch system, shadingthe viewfinder from excessive glare.

The DV camcorder LCD viewfinderis a versatile tool for creatinggreat-looking movies. Using theLCD during both recording andplayback helps achieve moreaccurate results.

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11Using an External Monitor

Connect the mini-plug side of the A/V cable included with your camcorder to theA/V In/Out connection on the camcorder.

Connect the RCA plug side of the A/V cable to the TV, connect the yellow plug tothe video in, and optionally connect one of the audio plugs to the audio in.

Power on the TV and switch it to the Video channel to monitor camcorder output.

Turn on the camcorder to start monitoring output on the TV.

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most camcorders are too small toachieve an accurate sense of whatis being recorded. Using a smallTV to monitor video recordingresults in better-looking videosbecause you can actually seewhat is being recorded.

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Close the LCD viewfinder whenever you aren’t monitoring recording. The LCD screenis the single biggest drain on a camcorder battery.

Plug in your camcorder when transferring video to your computer or playing backvideo on a TV to ensure the battery doesn’t die in the middle of viewing or transfer.

Carry a power inverter in your car, which converts the cigarette lighter in your car toa conventional outlet, to recharge during down time.

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Extending Battery Life

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Carry a SpareEven if you minimize batteryuse, there are times when onebattery won’t be enough.Backup batteries typically lastlonger than the factory modeland they insure you won’t runout of juice early.

When you are capturing video,whether it’s a sporting event, fam-ily gathering, or an amateurmovie shoot, if the battery dies themovie is over. There are severalways to extend battery life.

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13CCDs Matter

An image taken outdoors with a one-CCD camcorder.

The same image taken outdoors with a three-CCD camcorder.

Image taken indoors in low light with a one-CCD camcorder.

The same image using a three-CCD camcorder.

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Panasonic Three-CCD CamcordersUntil March 2004, three-CCD camcorders were generally pricedin a range of $1200 or more. Panasonic recently released threemodels, the PV-GS70, PV-GS120, and PV-GS200, starting at$699. This makes better quality video affordable for many morehome movie makers.

Charged-coupled devices (CCDs) arewhat a DV camcorder uses to captureimages. One-CCD camcorders captureimages by interpreting RGB (red, green,and blue) colors with one chip. Three-CCD cameras capture image data byassigning one color to each chip, resultingin more accurate color information. If youcan afford a three-CCD camera, get one.

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11 One-CCD Camcorder 3-CCD Camcorder

One-CCD Camcorder Three-CCD Camcorder