What Type Of Camcorder? MiniDV, Hard Drive, or DVD?
One question I get asked quite a bit (and one I see being asked on many forums) is what kind of camcorder to purchase? One that uses older MiniDV tapes, or the newer Hard Drive and DVD-based camcorders?
MiniDV:
These are the small tapes that are currently the oldest form of storage in new camcorders. They are quite cheap and each tape will hold about 60 minutes of footage at the highest resolution settings. The data is still stored in digital format on a MiniDV (so transferring to another tape won't degrade the original footage). My current camcorder uses this type of storage and I like it because I can keep a lot of blank tapes with me, and they are generally easier to find and purchase when you're on vacation. They store well and have a shelf life of about 10-15 years. The are two huge negatives about MiniDV's. The first is the same problem you find with any tape-based format...you can't easily jump to any footage you have recorded. The second problem is that, because the footage isn't stored as a "file", to transfer it to a computer, you have to play back the whole video in order to copy it to a computer.
Hard Drive:
The latest camcorders coming on the market contain an actual hard drive. The footage you shoot is stored as a file making it very easy to transfer to a computer. Also, this type of storage allows you to easily jump to anything you've shot. The problem with Hard Drive based camcorders is that you can't easily just take out the media and put it on your shelf for storage; you first have to transfer it onto a computer and burn it to a DVD (at which point you can erase the hard drive and begin shooting again). Finally, a problem with Hard Drives is that you can't easily switch between shooting different subjects (e.g. business and pleasure) as both subjects would be stored on the same hard drive (vs. switching in an out a tape).
DVD:
These camcorders record directly onto DVD's (of various sizes). They typically hold a lot less minutes of footage than either MiniDV's or Hard Drive-base camcorders. They share some of the positives of MiniDV's (easy storage) as well as Hard Drives (can jump to any point in the footage, video stored as files). While it sounds like DVD's save you a lot of time (in that you can give the DVD directly to someone else), practically, this isn't true as you usually won't just give someone all your raw footage (you wouldn't do this with any of the other types of media either). Finally, these types of camcorders, in order to store more footage onto the DVD, compress the video you shoot. From the reviews, typically, this means that the results from these camcorders are not as high quality as the other types of camcorders.
Conclusion:
Here is what types of camcorders I recommend people get in order of priority:
1) MiniDV
2) Hard Drive
3) DVD
Still, people should try out all three types and make their own choice as you will have different criteria than I do.
MiniDV:
These are the small tapes that are currently the oldest form of storage in new camcorders. They are quite cheap and each tape will hold about 60 minutes of footage at the highest resolution settings. The data is still stored in digital format on a MiniDV (so transferring to another tape won't degrade the original footage). My current camcorder uses this type of storage and I like it because I can keep a lot of blank tapes with me, and they are generally easier to find and purchase when you're on vacation. They store well and have a shelf life of about 10-15 years. The are two huge negatives about MiniDV's. The first is the same problem you find with any tape-based format...you can't easily jump to any footage you have recorded. The second problem is that, because the footage isn't stored as a "file", to transfer it to a computer, you have to play back the whole video in order to copy it to a computer.Hard Drive:
The latest camcorders coming on the market contain an actual hard drive. The footage you shoot is stored as a file making it very easy to transfer to a computer. Also, this type of storage allows you to easily jump to anything you've shot. The problem with Hard Drive based camcorders is that you can't easily just take out the media and put it on your shelf for storage; you first have to transfer it onto a computer and burn it to a DVD (at which point you can erase the hard drive and begin shooting again). Finally, a problem with Hard Drives is that you can't easily switch between shooting different subjects (e.g. business and pleasure) as both subjects would be stored on the same hard drive (vs. switching in an out a tape).DVD:
These camcorders record directly onto DVD's (of various sizes). They typically hold a lot less minutes of footage than either MiniDV's or Hard Drive-base camcorders. They share some of the positives of MiniDV's (easy storage) as well as Hard Drives (can jump to any point in the footage, video stored as files). While it sounds like DVD's save you a lot of time (in that you can give the DVD directly to someone else), practically, this isn't true as you usually won't just give someone all your raw footage (you wouldn't do this with any of the other types of media either). Finally, these types of camcorders, in order to store more footage onto the DVD, compress the video you shoot. From the reviews, typically, this means that the results from these camcorders are not as high quality as the other types of camcorders.Conclusion:
Here is what types of camcorders I recommend people get in order of priority:
1) MiniDV
2) Hard Drive
3) DVD
Still, people should try out all three types and make their own choice as you will have different criteria than I do.
Labels: camcorders
Posted by Tony |
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4 Comments:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ELECTRONICS AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CAMCORDERS REALLY HELPED ME.
This has been the most helpful summary I have read about camcorders so far. Thanks for putting your review into the language of the everyman!
Hey in my professional experience we use Mini DV why, Sure mini DV takes time to import to a PC but you get the highest definition on frame rate for you video editors out there. Now HDD camcorders are great for home videos and simple edits but not professional Again you need to upload your video on a PC if you run out of space on your HDD, DVD Camcorders are the worst ones out there, These are used for short movies like um maybe a birthday party or something. You cant edit this type of film it will look like crap. DVD camcorders where the talk for like a week and they are already going out of style where Mini DV tapes are outselling way more.
PS. camcorders are the best if you get a Sony, they have better quality and zooms, If your gonna spend lots like up to 1,000 dollars or more i suggest a Professional Canon XL2 camcorder. Amazing and use mini DV.
I agree with the comment above Mini DV is the best way to go. HDD is ok if your more home use youtube videos, DVD is like a paper weight just burn your money if you buy a DVD camcorder
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