Digital Camcorders

We've already discussed camcorders in "Analog Video". However, this section will look at the newest technologies in camcorders and how that may effect your next camcorder purchase. This material should be used as directed to complete any Review Questions Sheet that is assigned.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

    Camcorders work in a manner similar to a digital still camera. The lens allows light to pass through an aperture and an electronic "shutter" (different than a film camera shutter) where it strikes a surface called an "image sensor". The image sensor usually consists of an electronic device called a "Charge Coupled Device" (CCD). The CCD is not much larger than a person's fingernail, yet on the surface of the chip are thousands (or even millions!) of "photoelements". Each of these photoelements captures the equivalent of a pixel in a digital camcorder. More expensive camcorders and television cameras use three of these CCD's in the camera. This results in a much higher quality picture.

    The CCD emits tiny electrical charges that are created when the CCD photoelements are struck by the light entering the lens. These charges must be amplified, and then sent through an analog-to-digital converter. This is an oversimplication of the process, but probably the easiest to understand. In analog equipment, the amplified signal is in an analog waveform that is recorded onto the video tape. In digital equipment, the signal is converted to a binary code consisting of 1's and 0's which is recorded onto the digital tape. This is the basic difference between analog and digital camcorders. That is why digital camcorders and digital still cameras have developed so rapidly in the past few years.

    The largest part of the camcorder market used to be dominated by 1/2" VHS camcorders. These were fairly portable devices, but still were bulky and difficult to carry around. A new group of camcorders have developed in the last five years or so. These camcorders used smaller VHS tapes called VHS-C. Many people have purchased and use these camcorders since they are able to be placed in a special adapter and played back in their home VCR. Still, many people wanted even smaller and lighter camcorders. This led to the development of 8mm camcorders. The tapes for these camcorders were not much bigger than an audio cassette. This allowed manufacturers to engineer smaller more portable camcorders. Some 8mm camcorders are not all that much larger than a 35mm film camera! These 8mm camcorders have been developing into the digital camcorders of the future.

WHY IS THE "FORMAT" OF A CAMCORDER IMPORTANT?

    Now since we've determined that these camcorders are pretty much alike on the outside, let's look at the differences. There are some important differences between camcorders. First and foremost is the "format". The "format" refers to the technology used in recording the image on to the tape. There are several formats to consider.

There are actually "hybrid" digital cameras that can play back analog tapes as well as digital tapes. Those hybrids are called Digital8 camcorders. Digital8 camcorders can play back and use standard 8mm tapes as well as digital video tape. Digital8 is a format that was developed by Sony, as a bridge between the 8mm analog format and the MiniDV format. Both Digital8 and MiniDV are considered to be consumer quality, but there is not much difference between the image of these formats and the semi-professional DVC PRO and Sony DVCAM formats.

    DVC PRO and DVCAM is considered a higher quality format. However, they basically use the same type of tape as a MiniDV camcorder. They are compatible with industrial quality digital editing decks and editing control consoles. They can be used independently of a computer and still produce high quality, finished video productions. They are much more expensive than consumer grade digital camcorders. DVC camcorders generally cost $4000 and more, while consumer Digital8 camcorders are selling for $300 - $500.

    The difference between an 8mm digital format and the 8mm analog format is that analog camcorders can record a picture of about 400 lines. Digital8 and MiniDV camcorders can record images in a digital format that contains 500 or more lines. This results in a much better picture, and also allows digital editing from which there would be no loss of quality. This is the major difference between analog and digital camcorders.

    The following chart contains information on many popular digital camcorder formats:

GET THE CONNECTION?

Analog camcorders output their video signal to a television monitor or another VCR through analog connections. These connections are classified as component (RGB), composite (RCA), S-VHS (S-Video) and BNC (British Naval Coupling). Not all analog camcorders use each type of connector. On personal consumer video camcorders you would be most likely to see composite connectors. Those are the type that you see on home televisions and video game systems. Many professional camcorders contain BNC, composite and S-Video connectors. S-Video connectors are also seen on home DVD players and TV/Monitors. Component video connectors would usually be seen only on television broadcast equipment and broadcast quality monitors, however some consumer DVD's and TV/Monitors now also contain these connectors. Digital camcorders for both home and semi-professional applications use both composite connectors and the new IEEE 1394 digital connector. It is also referred to as "Firewire". It allows the rapid downloading of video directly into a computer, without any other video capture card needed. This connector will soon become the main standard connection for all levels of camcorders.

    That about wraps it up for digital camcorders. Believe it or not, this really only scratches the surface. There will be more to come, especially as digital camcorders begin to dominate the market.

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