Understand Digital Video

Digital Video was originally introduced in the mid 1990s, [tag-tec]digital video[/tag-tec] (DV) cameras now dominate sales and analogue cameras have all but disappeared. Why? Two simple reasons really.

Firstly, digital video delivers quality that’s superior to that of analog formats such as VHS, 8mm, or even Hi8 and S-VHS. Secondly, since both camera and computer manufacturers have adopted the FireWire serial port specification, it’s now much faster and easier to transfer video to your computer than it was with analog cameras, and the equipment to do so is much more affordable. This is really just technology rolling on. At the same time, broadband Internet connections and inexpensive DVD burners make high quality video much easier to distribute.

Technically, the DV format is a sequence of frames compressed to a data rate of 25MB per second, using a technology called Motion JPEG. The camcorder uses lens to focus on an image, then use charge-coupled devices, or CCDs, to convert the image to electronic signals. This electronic signal, by now a series of zeros and ones, is compressed and stored on tape, a DVD or a hard drive. DV stores a higher quality signal than the old analogue, 500 lines of resolution compared to the 240 of VHS.

Digital video also makes transferring video to your computer much easier. Virtually all DV cameras come equipped with a FireWire port so that you can easily transfer DV files to any computer with a FireWire port and the appropriate software. Most video editing software can detect scene changes by analysing the time and date code data included on DV tapes and can automatically break your video into different scenes, making it easier to find specific segments of your finished video. Normally these scenes are previewed and shown in the video capture software prior to downloading. They can either be downloaded or deleted if required.

When choosing a [tag-ice]digital camcorder[/tag-ice] there are certain technical items to consider. Pay attention to the number and size of CCDs, or charge coupled devices, since that information relates directly to video quality. Specifically, three CCDs are better than one, and 1/3 inch chips usually deliver better quality than 1/4-inch or smaller ones. The higher the specification, the better the quality of the video and the higher the price of the camera. Camcorders that feature three 1/3-inch CCDs will deliver top quality video, but are expensive. In contrast, most consumer type cameras offer a single 1/4 inch or 1/6 inch CCD, producing video that is good enough for website videos but far from professional standards. There is no need to go overboard when purchasing your first camcorder. Mike Stewart, the well known ‘Internet Video Guy’ records lots of his videos on a $350 camcorder.

Be sure to differentiate between optical and digital zoom. With optical zoom, optics in the lens magnify the image. In contrast, digital zoom increases resolution through a process called interpolation, which adds pixels to what the CCD sensor collected. Basically, a digital zoom makes an educated guess about what information additional pixels would have contained if more had been collected. The higher the optical zoom the better. My Canon MVX350i has a 20x optical and 400x digital zoom.

Camcorders have a lux rating which determines its ability to shoot in low light situations. The lower the lux rating, the higher the camera’s ability to capture high quality video in low light settings.

Finally check the image stabilization method. Optical stabilization is better than electronic but comes at a cost. The better the stabilization the better the end video. If you are shooting mostly home studio video using a tripod this is not so important but with action shots optically stabilized camcorders are preffered.

There are other considerations that you need to consider prior to choosing a digital camcorder and you can read about them here. If you are on a tight budget then don’t worry as you can shoot and produce decent website videos with little start up cost and can buy better video equipment at a later date.