Digital Camcorders

Digital camcorders give you greater ease and precision when searching for, titling, and editing recordings. Multi-generation digital dubs look identical to the original — clarity and color are far superior to analog recordings. All digital cameras offer A/V outputs that let you connect video from your camcorder to your TV, DVD recorder or VCR, for copying or playback. Most also offer A/V inputs — essential for converting tapes from an older format.

Digital8, MiniDV, 8cm DVD, and hard-disk camcorders are almost at the top of picture quality, delivering studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution. The digital camcorders tend to be smaller than analog models which makes them easier to handle. The HDV format has even better resolution with 720p and 1080i making a HDTV purchase something to think about.

Digital camcorders arrived in 1995 when Sony and Panasonic introduced the first Mini Digital Video (DV) format models and the cheapest was $3,000. Since then, prices dropped over 90 percent! The DV cassette (DVC) is 1/12th the size of a T-120 VHS tape. Even more importantly, the camcorders record digital video and sound, not analog like S-VHS-C and High-band 8mm. Quality jumps to 500 lines of resolution or more. You can record 16-bit digital audio, the same as a CD or two 12-bit soundtracks.

Since the recorded picture is digital there is no degradation when you make duplicates for editing. Digital camcorders can also connect to Personal Computers. Transfer of digital photos and MPEG or M-JPEG movie clips is usually accomplished via a USB connection. Full-motion digital video is transferred to your PC by means of an i.LINK™ digital A/V jack, also called IEEE-1394; if your PC doesn't have IEEE 1394, you may be able to use an empty PCI slot to add a card. 

Digital cameras offer digital audio with both a 12-bit and a 16-bit format. Choosing 16-bit gives you CD-quality stereo sound. Choosing 12-bit gives you one basic stereo soundtrack while recording and lets you add another stereo track later — great for adding voiceovers.

Most digital camcorders also let you save digital photos to removable flash memory. Just set the camcorder to photo mode. Take your photos and then transfer the images to your PC for editing, e-mailing, posting online, or printing. 

Digital Camcorder Formats

• Digital8 (D8) - Entry level for digital video, compatible with 8mm analog.
• Digital Videocassette (Mini DV) - Currently most popular.
• DVD-RAM - mini DVD compatible only with dvd-ram capable equipment.
• DVD-R/RW - mini DVD with thumbnail index for quick scene access.
• DVD+RW - mini DVD 
• HDV - High Definition video for HDTV
• MicroMV - super small Sony format, now discontinued.
• Hard-disk - stores video on built-in hard disk, download to DVD.
• Solid-state - stores video on memory chip.



Digital8 - In March 1999, Sony introduced a camcorder which provided a path for consumers to enter the digital era. Sony’s Digital8 format is basically an 8mm camcorder with digital circuitry. These camcorders let you record digital video and sound on Hi8mm tapes but they play analog 8mm and Hi8mm tapes as well. This format should be considered by anyone replacing 8mm or Hi8mm camcorders and is concerned about price. 

Sony Digital8® Handycam® Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability


Sony DCR-TRV460
  

• Digital Still Memory Mode captures JPEG images at 640 x 480 resolution to Memory Stick (not included).
• NightShot 0 Lux infrared system with color mode for recording in total darkness.
• 1/6" CCD Imager, 460K Pixels Gross.
• Black & White Viewfinder.
• Dimensions (WHD): 3 3⁄8" x 3 7⁄8" x 6" (85 x 98 x 151mm).
• Weight: 2 lbs. 0 oz (910g).
• Software OS Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000, XP Home and Pro; Macintosh® OS X (10.1.5 or later).

What's included: Sony DCR-TRV460 Includes - Sony DCR-TRV460 Digital 8 Handycam Camcorder, AC-L15 Power Adaptor/In Camera Charger, NP-FM30 InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery, Mono A/V Cable, Lens Cap, USB Cable, Shoulder Strap, CD-ROM with USB Driver (Picture Package™ Software Ver. 1.0 for Sony), RMT-831 Wireless Remote Commander® Remote Control.

The Sony Handycam DCR-TRV460 records in Digital8 format, a very close cousin of DV. Though it can use inexpensive 8mm and Hi8 tapes, it can't record in those older analog formats. It can, however, play back analog tapes, making it a prime choice if you want to upgrade to digital quality and get additional features but don't want to sacrifice your existing library of 8mm video. 

Backwards compatibility, and it has a Memory Stick slot and 20X zoom. The record quality is very good but the 1/6" CCD at 460,000 pixels is not as good as a MiniDV with a 1/4" CCD at 680,000 pixels or 1/3" CCD at over 1 million pixels. You really need something approaching 1 Mega-pixel in order to get decent quality still pictures.

It has i.LINK (IEEE-1394 for connection to PC) and LCD touch-screen menus. You can put the camcorder in 16:9 mode (wide-screen). Connect to Sony DVD recorder (RDR-GX7 etc.) to make DVDs of home videos. Record all your older tapes to DVD-R. The TRV-460 converts analog to digital. The camcorder shoots VGA-resolution stills and MPEG-1 videos and stores them on Memory Stick cards. Sony includes a USB cable for transferring pictures and videos from the Memory Stick; this cable also lets the DCR-TRV460 double as a Webcam. The built-in video light helps in darker situations, but it illuminates objects just a few feet in front of the camera; the Super NightShot infrared illumination is similarly limited in range. The camcorder comes with a rechargeable battery and built-in speaker.


Digital8 camcorders are an affordable way to go digital, but first-time buyers should opt for MiniDV as Sony will phase out the D8 format long before MiniDV becomes obsolete. If you owned an 8mm or Hi8mm camcorder, Digital8 is a seamless way to go digital. 

For those who want to join the digital majority, MiniDV is the choice to make. DVD-based camcorders are starting to make inroads but make sure your system is compatible before you buy. And those home video makers who want a digital picture from the smallest camcorders in the world, Panasonic's SD-based and JVC's Microdrive-based models are worth checking out. For those consumers who want the absolute best and are willing to pay for it, the HDV camcorders are the choice.

SONY DIGITAL8 CAMCORDER

Digital8 camcorders, such as the Sony DCR-TRV460, use the same Hi8 tapes as analog but the recording time is cut in half from 2 hrs. to 1 hr. for digital. Some models offer a memory stick to store digital still pictures.

• Which camcorder should I buy?

• Digital Camcorders - Digital8

• Digital Camcorders - MiniDV

• MicroMV, solid state memory cards

• Digital Camcorders - DVD

• High-Definition Camcorders

• Digital Camcorders - Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

• Camcorder Connections and Accessories

• Summary

• Media Capacity