Also in this section: Introduction | High Definition Video | Camcorder types and formats | Camcorder Features | Top Ten camcorders

Camcorder recording Formats

HDV (High-Definition Video) was originally developed in 2003 as a joint venture between Sony and JVC, with support from Canon and Sharp.

Camcorders using the HDV recording format use one of two HD formats, 720p (1280 x 720) or 1080i (1440 x 1080).

The HDV format records to the familiar mini DV tapes using MPEG2 compression which allows a full hour of footage.

AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) was developed in 2006 by Sony and Panasonic as a next generation recording format. Unlike HDV, it features a more efficient compression process MPEG4 (HDV uses MPEG2).

AVCHD can record to Hard Disk Drive (HDD), 8cm DVD, SD Memory Card or Memory Stick.

An understanding of High Definition and HD Camcorder Recording formats is useful background information, but your buying decisions are much more closely related to the Recording Media which best suits your needs.

Camcorder Types

There are Four types of Camcorder that you need to consider before making a buying decision.

HDD (Hard Disc Drive)
With a built-in hard drive, you can record up to 100 hours of lower quality video and enough high quality footage to make it unlikely that you would ever run out of storage. Convenience is the great advantage of this type of camcorder. You don't have to worry about buying and organizing tapes or DVD's and you can easily attach them to your TV for playback.

+ No need for tapes or DVD for storage, access and delete clips at random, large storage capacity, compact

- Unless storage is solid (flash drive) moving HDD can be susceptible to damage and expensive to repair

DVD
DVD camcorders are as you would imagine, record straight to DVD. Although you have to buy and organise your discs, watching your recorded footage couldn't be simpler - just pop the disc you have recorded with into your DVD player. You can also use a disc over and over again so you don't need to worry about making mistakes as you record. They are become less popular however and may soon be dropped by manufacturers

+ Convenience

- Larger than any other type of camcorder, quality not as good as miniDV

Memory Card
Camcorders with memory cards are becoming more and more popular. The new SDXC card format has a potential 2TB capacity and is backward compatible with the existing SDHC cards some of us are familiar with. As most devices (even TV's) have memory card slots transfer and playback is generally easy. Memory card prices continue to fall and with no moving parts camcorder design is much more compact and lightweight.

+ SD/SDHC is becoming a universal method of exchanging data

- Not all SD compatible devices are compatible with SDHC cards

Mini DV
Mini DV tapes are now a relatively old format, but they remain popular as an inexpensive way to get started. They produce high quality recordings which can easily be transferred and edited on any home computer (although transfer is time consuming in that you have to play the whole tape). The blank tapes are easy to find and cheap.

+ DV and HDV footage works with any modern editing program, cheap, high quality images

- Cost of tapes, footage is recorded linearly so can't be accessed at random, lengthy transfer process

Tip: Go for the newer more technically advanced HDD or Memory Card formats. The investment in the more modern technology will pay dividends in the long run.

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