Types

What’s Available

A major distinction among digital camcorders is the resolution they capture. Most models on the market are standard definition, but many high-def camcorders are arriving. These look just like conventional standard-definition models but use a higher-resolution image sensor and more-advanced recording technology, and they record in a widescreen format (or 16:9 aspect ratio). HD video contains much more detail than standard video, but you’ll be able to see it only on an HDTV. If you hook up an HD model to your standard def TV, you’ll see video, but not the highest quality.

Some HD models can record video in 1080i, the same high resolution as much HDTV programming. Other models record in 720p, an alternative HD broadcast format. Note that HD recordings take up much more space than standard-def video, so you’ll fit less footage in a given amount of storage; 720p files are not quite as large as 1080i, though. With some formats used to record HD, such as AVCHD, you might need HD-capable hardware, such as a Blu-ray disc player, to play back recordings.

You can also connect directly to an HDTV. Some HD models give you the option of recording in standard definition, which enables you to store more video. That also provides for broader playback compatibility if you want to share recordings with others. You can also downconvert HD video either within the camera or after you’ve transferred it to a computer.

Another consideration is the recording medium a camcorder uses. Those using MiniDV tapes have been the most popular for the last few years, but 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

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. Expect to pay about $4 for a 60-minute tape in SP. While the cassettes are cheap and readily available, the tape can tangle and jam in the camcorder transport, so it should be handled carefully to avoid damage. You must use the camcorder for playback; it converts the recording to an analog signal that can be played directly into a TV or VCR. If the TV or VCR has an S-video input jack, use it to get a high-quality picture. You can fast-forward or rewind sequentially through a recording, but you can’t randomly jump to specific points on the tape. You can also transfer video to a computer for editing. That takes place in real time, so it’s a slow process. It’s the only recording format that allows frame-by-frame editing.

DVD

The 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. The 8-centimeter discs (approximately 3¼-inch) record standard MPEG-2 video, the same format used in commercial DVD videos. The amount of recording time varies according to the quality level you select, from 20 minutes per side at the highest-quality setting for DVD-RAM discs to about 60 minutes per side at the lowest setting. DVD-RAM discs are not compatible with many DVD players, but the discs can be reused. DVD-R is supposed to be compatible with most newer DVD players and computer DVD drives, but they are not rewriteable. DVD-RW and DVD+RW are reusable, rewriteable disc formats that promise similar wide compatibility. Camcorders using discs often require more time to power up and shut down. (Disc prices are $4 to $20.)

With HD models, you might need different playback hardware than with standard-definition camcorders. For example, HD video recorded onto DVDs or mini Blu-ray discs with the new AVCHD format can be played only on a Blu-ray disc player.

Models with 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. Some models can use removable memory cards to provide even more storage. This type of camcorder attaches via FireWire or USB to a computer and appears as a mass-storage device, so transferring files can be a drag-and-drop affair. This format is very flexible, with an easy connection to a computer; no special computer drivers are necessary. Video and photos are already in computer-compatible file formats that transfer quickly, so no conversion is necessary. With this type of camcorder, you should be comfortable using a computer to transfer or archive your video.

Camcorders with 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. Even larger cards with greater capacity are available. (To get a precise estimate, check a camera’s specifications.) As with an HD model, you must be comfortable with using a computer to transfer or archive your video. But there are some newer camcorders that include internal, non-removable flash memory. Some come with memory card and internal flash memory.

There are also select, inexpensive standard-definition camcorders—such as Pure Digital’s Flip camcorder—that include internal, non-removable flash memory. These are relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use models with very few features. We also found in our tests that although these types of camcorders were convenient for sharing videos over the Internet, their video picture quality was far below that of even the lowest rated standard-definition camcorders.

Combo models

Several manufacturers offer “hybrid” camcorders—a relatively new category—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—one that offers internal and removable flash memory—is mentioned in our flash memory section.

See also:

Blu-ray & DVD players

LCD TVs

Digital cameras

Digital picture frames