Digital camcorders vary widely in size, shape and memory format.
When shopping for a digital camcorder, you should take several key elements into account to save time, money and the frustration that can often be a part of an electronic device purchase. With four main storage formats to choose from, the options for camcorders can seem endless. But deciding on the storage type that suits you best can be the easiest way to narrow your options and find the best digital camcorder for you.
Instructions
1. Select the format. The format is a big factor in the cost, storage and viewing methods of your camcorder. The four major formats are miniDV tape, DVD, digital hard drive and flash card. There are pluses and minuses to each format. MiniDV tape has great quality, and the cameras are inexpensive -- but the tapes are not. They are also more difficult to link to your computer and have a lot of moving parts. DVD can be costly and low quality but may be the most comfortable option for those who are not as computer savvy. Hard drive storage provides the greatest flexibility with reliable, inexpensive media. However, hard drives can crash, and they have quite a few moving parts. Finally, flash drives are durable, small, easy on battery life, and quiet. But with a flash drive, you'll have to move all your videos to your computer, which can take up a lot of storage space there.
2. Determine whether to go high definition or standard. While HD is more expensive, it provides increased quality when viewing on an HD or widescreen television. It creates larger file sizes than standard video, so if you're computer and television hardware are older, you may find standard definition a better fit.
3. Think about the size of the digital camcorder. Many cameras have decreased in size over time. If you have larger hands or need to steady the camera with a second hand, small cameras could be more difficult to use. Be sure to spend plenty of time trying the camera out for comfort before you purchase it.
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