Intensive Interaction

Choosing a Camcorder for I.I.

By Mark Booth (Oldham)

Different camcorder types:

Mini DV cameras use tapes. These produce high quality images that can be edited using computer software and transferred to DVD. The tapes last 60 minutes in best quality mode and are relatively inexpensive.

DVD camcorders using small disks can record up to 20 minutes high quality images that can be viewed directly on a DVD player after finalising. Editing footage from these discs is difficult and they are really just convenient to play your footage quickly.

DVD camcorders that take full size DVDs are again convenient to play back footage quickly but editing is difficult. Also, there are a range of different DVD's to buy and not all camcorders take all discs and not all DVD players play all disk types which are:-

• DVD +R (record once)
• DVD -R (record once)
• DVD +RW (re recordable)
• DVD -RW (re recordable)
• DVD RAM (re recordable)

Hard Disc Drive camcorders (HDD Camcorders) record directly to the camcorder and do not use tapes or DVD discs. The size of the hard disc built into the camcorder determines how long you can record for. When the drive is full, say after 7 hours of recording, the contents of the camcorder have to be downloaded on to a computer for editing or burning to a DVD disc.

Flash Drive recorders use small removable cards, the type you find in digital cameras. Saving this footage means transferring it to a computer or buying another card. The image quality on these cameras is not very good.

My recommendation:

I would recommend Mini DV Tape camcorders as these provide good or excellent quality images (depending on the quality of the camcorder), are very reasonably priced and footage can be transferred to disc quite easily.

What to look for when buying a camcorder:

Connections:

When buying a camcorder find out how it connects to other equipment. Most of the above will probably connect straight to your recording equipment using a one pin to three pin lead - (the one pin goes into your camcorder and the three pins, one yellow, one red and one white, go into your TV, VHS or DVD or Hard Disc recorder). Using this will enable you to copy your footage straight to VHS tape or DVD disc. If connecting to a PC you will probably need to install the software that came with the camcorder and then connect the camcorder to the PC using a USB2 lead or better still a Firewire lead (check your PC has a connector).

Features:

A camera to be used for recording Intensive Interaction doesn't have to have lots of fancy features but the following points are worth considering:-

1. Will scenes look dark when filming inside?
   Look for a camera that records reasonably well in low light conditions.
2. Will the video look shaky if I am holding the camera when filming?
   Buy a camera with an image stabilising feature or use a tripod.
3. Will the person I am filming look very dark and be hard to see if I am filming them with a window or light behind them?
   Buy a camera with a BLC (Back Light Conditions) feature. This might be incorporated into an 'Easy Mode' on the camera.
4. What will my film sound like?
   The microphone built into the camcorder will pick up all the sounds in the area being filmed. If the filming takes place a distance from people using the zoom, conversation and certainly quiet and subtle sounds will be very unclear. Some camcorders can have an external microphone connected to them which might be worth considering.
5. What will the picture quality of my video be like?
   The quality will depend on a number of things.
   1. The number of pixels the image has; the more the better. These are counted in mega pixels. 1 mega pixel equals 1 million pixels or dots that make up the image.
   2. The number of CCDs the camcorder has. These CCDs capture light and the more a camcorder has the brighter and more vibrant the colours will be. Some have one; some have three - one for each primary colour.
   3. The quality of the lens.
   4. The points noted above in 'Features'.

Which camcorder to go for?

It is difficult to recommend a specific make or model as new models are constantly being produced and others stop being made.

The best thing to do is

1. Consider all the above suggestions
2. Have a look at the information videos at the following web address www.videojug.com/interview/choosing-a-camcorder There are a number of videos to watch; all short and informative (you just have to wait for the advert to run).
3. When you have decided what format of camera to buy, have a look for recommended models in PC and camera magazines or on the internet.
4. When you have found you ideal recommended camcorder that suits your needs and budget, have a good look around for the best price you can find on the internet and on the high street - haggle if you can.
5. Give a thought to after care service. What will happen if it breaks? If bought from a shop you can take it back there but if purchased on the internet it might mean posting it back or getting it to a dedicated service centre.
6. Having thoughtfully purchased your lovely camcorder - Enjoy!