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Archive for the ‘Camcorders’ Category
Monday, September 26th, 2011
You’ve been communicated to by the power of video all your life. If you’re like most of us, you park yourself in front of the television for a few hours every day. Whether you watch the news, Mad Men, a reality show, or even an infomercial, that’s a lot of communication. TV has altered your views on everything from politics to which breakfast cereal you want to buy.
There’s a reason ads command such a hefty price during the Super Bowl: video is one of the most effective tools of communication today. So it’s not surprising that YouTube is growing by leaps and bounds. Average people have realized that video can convey a message amazingly well, whether it’s instructional or entertaining in tone.
Are shooting and editing video really that easy? Well, yes and no. Without a doubt, today’s crop of camcorders make it a breeze to know exactly what you’re filming: it’s right there on the huge color viewscreen. Compare that to 8mm film cameras or the tiny black-and-white eyepieces in cams from the 1980s! And fifteen years ago, editing video was a nightmare, because consumer computers were simply not capable of processing the size of the files. Now even the cheapest computers come with basic video editing software that makes simple cuts and transitions a snap.
But while the tools have gotten better, it’s still true that doing video well requires some skill and effort. Producing good shots takes some experience and a good eye–not to mention the added potential headaches of lighting and sound. And editing is much more involved than most people imagine when they fire up a new project in iMovie. Where do you cut: while he’s speaking, or after he’s spoken? Should you use a dissolve? What’s the best title style to ensure that the text can be easily read onscreen?
Video is a tremendously effective tool for communicating many different messages. But it does require effort and proficiency. But we think if you try it out once, you’ll be hooked too.
Saturday, April 30th, 2011
Customers often ask us what type of camcorder they should purchase. Often, they want a new camcorder to replace a tape-based model, such as VHS-C or 8mm. Most camcorders today do not use classic videotape, but one of a few tapeless options. And making it more confusing, models range from Flip-style cams to complex HDTV video cameras. Figuring out which level of camcorder is right for you is half the battle to purchasing a new unit that will serve you well for years. In general, there are four basic levels of camcorders:
1. Flip-Style (around $200)
 Named for the now-discontinued but hugely popular Flip camcorder, this type of cam is your entry-level option. A Flip-style video camera looks like a phone or MP3 player. It generally has a “record” button, a basic microphone, the ability to record to Flash memory (internal or external), and possibly a zoom lens. You can download the videos you shoot to your computer using the built-in USB port, and then easily upload them to YouTube (usually with included software). Best Buy’s website calls these cameras “shoot and share,” which provides a good idea of their intended function. Flip-style camcorders can be standard-definition or high-definition, although most have HD capabilities these days.
Pros: Small and portable. Simple to pull out and shoot. Easy uploading to the web.
Cons: Very few features. Very poor zooming and microphone abilities.
2. Standard-Definition ($300-$600)
 Most people think of standard-definition (SD) when they think of consumer camcorders. VHS, VHS-C, 8mm, Mini DV–all of these are SD camcorders. Tape-based SD cams have been joined by Flash, Mini DVD, and hard drive SD camcorders as well. These units have great features: the flip-out LCD screen, amazing optical zoom lenses, decent microphones, and myriad extra features. The quality from SD cams can be excellent, and for bargain shoppers, a SD cam may provide more functionality than a Flip cam while avoiding the steeper cost of HD. Mini DV camcorders are still available, and produce wonderful results as well as easy computer connectivity.
That said, this is becoming a high-definition world. Everyone from cable providers to TV networks is moving to widescreen, high-resolution video. If you don’t already have an HDTV, it’s likely your next TV set will be one. Will you be happy with the results from a SD camcorder in five years?
Pros: Excellent price for a great-quality, feature-laden camcorder.
Cons: Every year, SD cams become more of a relic as HD becomes the norm.
3. Basic High-Definition ($300-$1,000)
 Simply put: A basic HD camcorder should be the starting point for the average person who is looking to buy a new camcorder. “Basic” means that the camcorder is fairly automatic: it can focus, adjust audio, and handle white balance by itself. (In other words, a regular consumer camcorder, but in HD.) While any HD cam generally costs more than SD video cameras, an HD cam will shoot excellent images, provide great optical zoom, and can be quickly connected to your computer for editing and uploading (although editing HD video does require a fast computer with large storage capacity). HD cams record to Flash media, hard drives, and HDV tape (HD Mini DV).
Pros: The current standard in home video. Great features and picture quality.
Cons: HD requires a fast computer for editing. Difficult to watch without an HD-capable TV.
4. Premium High-Definition ($1,000+)
 The best HD camcorders naturally cost the most, and are therefore intended for serious hobbyists who want real control over their shooting. These video cameras allow manual control of settings, provide many extra features or optional add-on capabilities, and use multiple CCD/CMOS image sensors to achieve better-quality video. In this way, the shooter gains exceptional control in selecting light levels and techniques.
Pros: More features and settings than you’ll ever need.
Cons: Expensive. Overkill for most consumers.
So which should I buy?
The best way to select from the four levels of camcorders shown above is to ask “What will I use it for?” The ideal video camera for you meets your unique requirements as well as fits your skill set and your hand.
Here are a few sample questions:
– Do you want a camcorder that’s super-easy to use–one you can slip into your pocket like a phone? Are you into uploading to YouTube? If so, look into Flip-style camcorders.
– Do you value cost above anything else? Would you be satisfied with a well-featured camcorder that has a decent price? If so, look into standard-definition camcorders, particularly Mini DV.
– Do you have an HD TV? Do you want to combine the amazing quality of HD video with standard camcorder features, such as a zoom lens and a good microphone? If so, look into the basic HD models.
– Are you already into editing your SD videos? Do you like to adjust your white balance and add different lenses to your camcorder? If so, look at professional HD models.
Once you know what you’re looking for, research and shop around. Camcorders offer different features and come in a wide array of prices. Keep in mind that no one regrets spending extra cash on good quality, but if you cut corners to save, you may regret it later on when your camcorder can’t do what you want. Examine and literally hold different camcorders in a store to see which one feels comfortable to you. And then buy from a company you trust, either in person or online.
Part 2 in this series will examine the different types of recording format options, including Mini DVD, Flash memory, hard drives, and digital tape–so check back here soon!
Friday, March 18th, 2011
In the heydey of VHS-C and 8mm camcorders, A/V-ready connectors were built right into the camcorders. The camcorder almost always had RCA (a.k.a. composite) plugs: those yellow- and white-rimmed sockets that enabled your cam to connect to your TV or VCR. If you had a stereo-out video camera, you also had a red stereo plug; and if you were really lucky, you had an S-video out socket as well. S-video connectors were–unbelievably–standard on the higher-level, fondly-remembered late-90s Sony Hi8 cams.
But then things changed. Camcorders became smaller and smaller…and manufacturers began cutting corners. The S-video plugs and even the RCA plugs disappeared from 8mm cams. Mini DV camcorders usually just had one little connector: the 1/8″ plug.
 As a result, camcorders often came with a special cable, the 1/8″ to RCA adapter cable. One end has your typical red, white, and yellow composite connectors, while the other end has an 1/8″ connector–a plug with three bands that looks like a headphone jack. A photo of this A/V lead cable appears at right.
The lesson: whether this exact cable or a more unusual one comes with your camcorder, keep it! Even if you don’t use it, store it somewhere safe. Depending on the type of cable, replacements range from easy to downright difficult to find (and are often expensive!). This cable may be your only way to hook up your camcorder to a TV, VCR, or computer. So, whatever you do…don’t bury the (A/V) lead!
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
First: Happy Thanksgiving! All of us here at Timeless DVD wish all our customers and blog readers a happy and safe holiday weekend.
Now, what follows Thanksgiving? The best day of the year: Black Friday! If this year is typical, you’ll probably see lots of ads and sales for camcorders in the Black Friday flyers. Lots of consumers purchase video cameras as holiday gifts this weekend because of the perception of “great deals.”
 However, the truth is that these “great deals” can usually be found year-round online…and sometimes the prices are even better (and less of a hassle) than Black Friday sales. Yes, you might have to pay shipping costs and wait a few days. But you can usually save a lot of money–and sleep–by spending some time shopping on the web. And honestly–wouldn’t you rather just avoid the scene on the right?
Who shouldn’t shop online? Anyone who is worried about returns. Returning items is easier if you buy your camcorder locally–nothing to pack up and ship, no RMA numbers to obtain. But just in terms of time, how long does it take to drop a box off at a shipping store and send it in for a return? Probably about the same amount of time it takes to bring it into the store–maybe even less if the customer service department has a line. (And most stores charge restocking fees these days, whether they are brick-and-mortar or web-based.)
So if you’ve done your research and know which camcorder you want, save yourself some money and check out the prices online. You might be able to get a great deal, and not even have to wake up early.
Here are some great sites to check, all of which usually offer the best prices on electronics:
www.bhphotovideo.com
www.jr.com
www.amazon.com
Thursday, November 11th, 2010
Ever hear the one about the exploding whale?
Nope, this isn’t a joke. But without the presence of one video camera, it might be urban legend. As it stands now, it’s an actual–albeit odd–news story.
 On November 12, 1970, a 45-foot dead whale washed up on a beach in Florence, Oregon. To put it mildly: it stank. Plus, it was huge–8 tons of blubber. So the Oregon Department of Transportation decided the best method of disposal was to blow it up, using a half-ton of dynamite.
Unfortunately, they hadn’t planned ahead too well. After the dynamite detonated, stinky chunks of whale exploded all over the immediate area. One of the larger pieces of blubber even crushed a car that was parked a good distance away. But luckily, no one was injured.
This story might have passed in the realm of urban legend if not for the fact that one man filmed it with a video camera. (And this was 1970–long before VHS camcorders or even Betamovies!) See it here:
http://theexplodingwhale.com/evidence/the-video/?
Although this footage was filmed by a professional video crew, that’s not necessary now. Chances are, you have easy access to a video camera, whether it’s a standalone or on your phone. How many stories does the public miss when someone doesn’t take advantage of the easy opportunity he or she has to record? So pull out your cam and start shooting when you see something interesting! You never know what kind of footage will make headlines…even thirty years later.
Saturday, October 30th, 2010
While the lenses on camcorders are often excellent quality, the microphones are usually poor–particularly the tiny mics present on the current crop of mini camcorders. They also have a nasty habit of picking up all surrounding sound and being incredibly susceptible to wind.
Luckily, rectifying this problem is easy, at least if you have a moderate-range camcorder. Most cams have a part called a “shoe” in which an external microphone fits. The shoe is located on the top of the camcorder. All you need to do is slide in the microphone (often called a “shotgun” mike) and plug it in to one of the camcorder’s A/V sockets. Presto! Your productions will have vastly improved sound.
Friday, October 29th, 2010
When my family went to Disney World in 1989, it was the first time we had used our new 8mm video camera for more than two days straight. And it was a wake-up call: those batteries did not last long! I still regret not being able to videotape more rides, since many of the best old-school ones at Epcot have since closed.
My current Mini DV camcorder can now tape for hours and hours without needing a recharge, but battery power still remains the last frontier of wireless devices. How many times have you been videotaping an important event, only to see that blinking battery icon light up on the viewscreen? By the same token, how many times have you been in the middle of a long cell phone conversation, only to have the device cut out and die? (My Apple mouse is also a huge battery hog!) From audiotape Walkmans to iPods, batteries are both a great convenience as well as a pain in the you-know-what. The simple truth is that scientists simply haven’t been able to find any materials that can fit a decent power supply into a tiny little part.
 Fortunately, if some scientists have their way, these problems may soon be a thing of the past. Scientists at Washington State University recently crushed xenon difluoride to a pressure that is 1 million times that of Earth’s atmosphere. By doing this, they transformed the chemical into a super-powerful, long-lasting battery. To apply the required amount of pressure, the scientists placed the substance between two diamond anvils, which created the gray square metal battery pictured at right. All the energy used to crush the chemical can be stored in its chemical bonds for eventual usage, which makes the battery extremely strong as well as very compact.
While not available publicly yet, this battery should represent a major development for cordless devices. Imagine shooting for 8 continuous hours without having to swap a battery! Imagine days and days of battery-powered laptop use without recharging! Long-term battery power will be the perfect complement for the wireless communication that has become so prevalent in our society.
Monday, October 11th, 2010
In the fourth and final part of our series on sports videos, we’ll take a look at presentations that focus on one player. These types of videos are often called highlight reels, and can be used for everything from family memorabilia and gifts to college applications.
 Many players and their families would love to have a personalized video that highlights a single player’s accomplishments. These can be wonderful gifts for birthdays or graduations, or sent to relatives who could not attend the games. Imagine Grandma’s surprise at receiving a DVD showing her granddaughter’s prowess on the soccer field–including all the goals she scored!
In addition, highlight videos are often used these days for college applications. If your child is trying to obtain a sports scholarship, an edited video of his or her best plays or goals can make a big difference. (And some colleges even require these types of videos for scholarship consideration.)
And don’t forget to include interviews with the individual player as part of the video. Having the player discussing his game on camera can provide important insight to his or her techniques and goals. For an even more enlightened interview, tape the player reacting to his or her work in particular games from a specific season.
If you’re really industrious, consider making a highlights video for a player other than your child as well. Does the team have a star player, someone whom everyone is “talking about?” See if you can shoot video of this player (legally, of course!) and compile a video that he or she can use in future endeavors. Who knows, you might just wind up filming the next Peyton Manning! And other parents may hire you to focus on their child as well.
Final Thoughts
These four types of sports videos–games, practices, video scrapbook, and individual highlights–are just a few of the ways you can work with sports footage. If this is a type of filming that interests you, or something you just wind up doing due to a child who is an athlete, you’ll soon come up with your own ideas as well.
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
In Part 3 of this series, we’re going to address video scrapbooks, also called slideshows, montages, or retrospectives. All of these terms mean the same thing for a sports team: a video presentation that highlights the team’s season-long activities. It can also be thought of as a video yearbook.
This type of project requires time and commitment, but it can be very rewarding. As the videographer, you would film many–if not all–of a team’s games or events during a season. But often, parents find themselves shooting all of the games anyway–so making a video scrapbook might involve less out-of-the-ordinary commitment than you might expect!
 But make sure to shoot more than just the game, and obviously, more than just your child. Film the coaches advising, the players waiting on the bench, cheerleaders, dance teams, the band, players celebrating a win, fans, and even mascots–everything that made the team’s experience what it was. All of this can provide amazing footage for your highlights show. And don’t forget to collect photos from other players or parents; photos can make a great slideshow presentation that works as part of the larger highlight video.
When you’ve got all the material that will go into the presentation, it’s time to edit it. This requires some computer skills. Our advice for beginners is to work with a program such as iMovie or a slideshow editing program (for still photos). Select interesting and dramatic footage and layer music over it. Or record your own voice and provide a story of the team’s season. Shoot new interviews with players and coaches to provide insight and narrative flow–you might even ask them to narrate sections of games.
There are many ways to approach this type of project, and you should feel free to work at whatever editing level makes you comfortable. Even a basic video with simple cuts can be impressive and memorable to the team. Take a look at some professional videos of championship-winning teams for some specific ideas.
As noted above, this type of project can be quite involved, but it can also be very rewarding–both personally as well as financially. It’s a sure bet that most if not all of the players will want copies of your video, and so you can sell your hard work and make a small profit. For those who gain some experience with this type of project, you might consider announcing your video at the beginning of the season. This way, you might gain assistance from other parents or players and be able to sell the video all season long (with delivery at the end).
In the final part of this series, we’ll be discussing videos that focus on one specific player, as opposed to an entire team.
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
In part 2 of this series, we’re going to move from filming games to shooting practices, training, and lessons.
Video is great for improving athletic skills; even professional athletes rely on tapes of their performances to become better at their respective games. If you have a child who regularly goes to baseball, soccer, or football practice, consider shooting part of it. While it may certainly help your kid, the other athletes and coaches may find value in your video as well.
 For instance, what if you shot one day of batting practice for your child’s junior high baseball team? You might pass the video along to the hitting coach, who would have a chance to see the details of each player’s exact swing style. He could even watch the video in slow-motion and watch the same hitter over and over again if he wished. As a result, he would better be able to advise each player on what is and what isn’t working, and everyone would get a chance to improve.
When shooting lessons or practice, the position of the camera is not as specific as when it is positioned for games. Instead of going for full coverage of a field, think of what might be most valuable to the player or coach. Would a full-body, head-to-toe shot work best? Or maybe a closeup of the throwing arm or the footwork? What works best for the individual sport?
Almost every athlete, in every sport imaginable, can be helped by watching training tapes. Think of divers and their posture, basketball players and their shooting angles, golfers and their putts. And most obviously, gymnasts, dancers, ice-skaters, and cheerleaders can be helped enormously by closer examination of their performances.
If you get really good at filming practices and lessons, you may even be able to make money off training tapes; some teams and coaches may actually pay for your work!
Check back in a few days for Part 3 of this series, in which we’ll discuss making a video scrapbook of your sports-related raw video.
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