Sony Mini DV Camcorder
Mini DV cameras are one of the popular types of digital camcorders on the market today. The camcorders come in everything from small compact consumer models to high-end professional grade versions. No matter what type of mini DV camcorder you have, learning perform basic operations such as record videos is relatively easy and will only take a few minutes.
Instructions
1. Insert a mini DV tape into your camcorder. Follow the arrows printed on your camcorder and the tape to ensure you are putting it in the right way. Most Mini DV camcorders have n "Open/Eject" button on the bottom where tapes go. Don't ever force a tape in or out of your camcorder or you could damage both the tape and the camcorder.
2. Turn off the digital zoom on your mini DV camcorder. Most mini DV camcorders have both an optical and a digital zoom. The optical zoom uses the lens to get closer to an object similar to a traditional camera. A digital zoom merely enlarges the individual pixels in a picture to make it seem as if you are getting closer. The digital zoom can make your video seem blurry and out of focus, so it is often better if you just don't use it.
3. Turn on image stabilization and use a tripod when you can. Mini DV camcorders will pick up on the tiniest movement (such as you breathing) and can make that movement seem exaggerated sometimes to a point you might feel like you're on a roller coaster when you watch your video again later on. Use a tripod whenever possible to reduce camera shake. When you do record videos handheld make sure the image stabilization is turned on in order to minimize shake and keep your video looking smooth.
4. Carry extra tapes around with you. You should always record your videos on the higest quality possible, which will mean your mini DV tapes will only last one hour. Carry around a few extras with you so you don't miss recording important events and so you have a back up if you end up with a defective tape.
5. Connect your mini DV camcorder to the RCA or HDMI input (if you have an HD camcorder) on your television to watch your videos back instantly. Depending on your camcorder model, you will either connect the camcorder to your computer via USB or Firewire to edit it, burn DVDs, or upload video to the web. Consult the instruction book for your particular camcorder model to determine the needs of your particular model.
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