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So You Want to Be Steven Spielberg?
| Article
# : |
19243 |
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Section : |
LIFE
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| Issue
Date : |
7 / 1991 |
1,983 Words |
| Author
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M. Paul Cote
M. Paul Cote is a free-lance writer who has worked in the
electronics and camcorder industries in many capacities. |
Camcorders are purchased for an ever-increasing variety of reasons. Companies make video recordings of important documents, valuable objects, events, and meetings. A wedding has a better than fifty/fifty chance of being videotaped--complete with sound and background music--when five years ago only the famous or wealthy were likely to film their weddings. Holidays, family gatherings, neighborhood sports games, a child's first steps, vacations abroad are recorded--how much better to see and hear the surf than to look at still pictures. The uses are endless: Hit a bucket of balls at the driving range and have a pro analyze your stroke. Count who comes into your business and note the time. Videotape crimes you may witness. Would you like to make your own movie?
What do first-time camcorder buyers need to know to get the equipment they are looking for?
First of all, they must understand formats. There are three basic formats: VHS, VHSC (C indicates compact VHS), and 8mm. Each of these also is available in a high-band or super format--S-VHS (S is for super), S-VHS-C, or Hi8--which offers better picture quality. There are other formats, but they are best left to professionals and videophiles.
Of the commercial formats, 8mm and Hi8 are the most popular and are continuing to increase in popularity. Two of the most important makers of camcorders, Sony and Canon, now make only 8mm and Hi8 models.
The 8mm has better video quality than VHS or VHS-C and better sound than non-hi fi VHS and VHS-C. The 8mms are the smallest camcorders (some weigh less than two pounds) and are certainly the easiest to pack or carry whether it is for an afternoon trip to the zoo, an arduous bicycle trip, or a summer vacation to Europe. Their two-hour recording capability is similar to that of the much larger VHS camcorder.
Hi8 has the best video quality of all the camcorders. While these camcorders are larger than the smallest 8mm camcorders, the Hi8 models offer many more special features.
VHS camcorders are the heaviest option. They may weigh as much as eight pounds and often are six pounds. Since they rest on your shoulder, they are thought to be steadier than hand-held camcorders. No matter what kind of camcorder you choose, you will, with some practice, get better at filming steadily than you were at first. If you can use a tripod for the shots you want, the
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