Camera can be set to automatically start recording when it hears
sounds.
Camcorders typically come with a ni-cad (nickel-cadmium),
NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) or a lithium-ion rechargeable
battery. Of the three types, ni-cads use the oldest technology,
weigh the most when compared to the power they produce and
need special care for optimum performance. NiMH is a step
up, with higher capacity and less special care required.
Lithium-ion batteries use the latest technology; they're
the lightest and generally cost the most.
A camcorder's light-sensing device composed of an array
of individual sensors, or pixels, that "see" the image
coming through the lens.
The physical dimensions of the CCD (image sensor). Generally,
larger CCDs offer better performance.
Allows you to insert your own text message into the film you're
shooting.
Some camcorders can also be used as digital still cameras.
However, image resolution is typically only 640 x 480 pixels
(0.3 megapixels), which is quite low by the standards of dedicated
digital cameras.
Also known as "simulated zoom". With digital zoom, the camera
takes a small portion of the original image and uses interpolation
to artificially restore it to its original size. Digital zoom
is usually used in conjunction with optical zoom on a camcorder.
For example, a camera with 12x optical zoom/120x digital zoom
has a 12x zoom lens and software that makes the image appear
10 times closer, for a total zoom of 120x. Because the camera
is interpolating during digital zoom, expect the picture clarity
to decrease as digital zoom increases.
Heads made to enable clean cuts between scenes when editing
video footage using a camcorder. Camcorders without flying
erase heads will often introduce a few moments of static and
compromised image quality whenever a user stops and restarts
recording.
Also known by trademarked names of FireWire and i.Link, IEEE
1394 is a standard for high-speed transfer of digital information.
IEEE 1394 allows loss-free digital transfers between camcorders.
If your computer has an IEEE 1394 port, you can transfer,
edit and save video from your IEEE 1394-equipped camcorder.
For those computers without an IEEE 1394, you can buy PCI
add-in boards, which will add this connection to your PC,
such as the ADS Pyro 1394 DV.
Compensates for image shakiness caused by not holding the
camera steady. A few high-end camcorders use the superior
optical image stabilisation, which employs mirrors or prisms
to compensate for detected camera shaking. However, most camcorders
use digital image stabilisation, which crops the edges off
of the image and uses these "spare" pixels to compensate when
the camera moves.
Cameras with infrared capability have sensors that can "see" infrared
light, enabling operation in low-light situations. Some cameras
can also emit a beam of infrared light (watch for a small
red LED on the camera) to illuminate completely dark scenes
during recording.
The total number of pixels that make up a camcorder's sensor.
The higher the resolution, the greater the detail in a picture.
A video format that records digitally in PC-friendly MPEG2.
The leading digital video format. It has the highest resolution
and smallest dimensions of all consumer video recording formats.
Camera can be set to start recording when it senses an object
moving into the frame.
Also known as "telephoto" or "true zoom", this works like
the zoom on a traditional film camera. Elements within the
lens move, reducing the field of view and making the object
that you're shooting appear closer.
Enable you to put one of a standard set of text messages--such
as "Happy Birthday", "Merry Xmas", and "Holiday Fun"--into
your films.
A CCD that provides superior quality to older interlaced CCDs.
Cameras with progressive-scan CCDs read each row of pixels
on the CCD sequentially when recording an image. Older models
of CCDs either read a pair of rows at a time or read all even
rows as one frame, then all odd rows as the next frame. Both
of these older methods compromise image quality.
Camcorders save images in one of a variety of tape formats.
The three major formats are VHS, 8mm and Mini
DV, and they
are noninterchangeable, though most have backward-compatible
subdivisions.
The standard videotape format for VCRs. Because VHS tapes
are so large, few camcorders still use this format. VHS-C
is a miniaturised version of VHS. With an adapter (usually
included with the camera), VHS-C tapes can be played in a
standard VHS VCR. However, VHS-C has one of the shortest recording
times and lowest-resolution images of all video formats. S-VHS
is a higher-resolution refinement to VHS. While S-VHS recorders
can play standard VHS tapes, S-VHS tapes don't play back well
in standard VHS players.
A compact video format designed to be used in small handheld
camcorders. Hi8 is a higher-resolution refinement to 8mm.
Digital 8 is a digital recording format using traditional
8mm tapes. Digital 8 camcorders can view 8mm and Hi8 tapes,
but Digital 8 recordings can't be viewed on an 8mm or Hi8
camcorder.
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