Differnce between camcorder types...

[lanwanchan]

What is the difference in mini dv camcorders, hard disk camcorders, digital camcorders and dvd camcorders? Can someone please explain them all to me as i am going to buy a new one soon and i dont no which one is best.

[vehelpfulguy]

mini dv camcorders record to a mini dv TAPE

hard disk camcorders record to a computer like HARD DISK

dvd camcorders record to a mini DVD

digital camcorders - All the above (and probably all camcorders you can buy nowadays) are digital, which means the video is held in digital format (as opposed to the old analogue format which previously recorded to tape)

I am not sure which one is best.

Generally tape is best avoided due to problems with tapes breaking or easily getting damaged.

A hard disk can go wrong if camcorder is dropped or knocked (moving parts)

[vehelpfulguy]

I also suggest you go into W H Smith and puchase a magazine.

Not sure what titles are available but something like Digital Video Magazine or What Camcorder

It may cost �5 but may help you make the best choice.

http://www.camuser.co.uk/

[rojash]

HD and DVD camcorders record in compressed format. They are very convenient to use.

Mini DV tape may seem less convenient, but is the one to pick if you want to do any serious or semi-serious stuff and edit it, as it's the only one that records "raw" video.

Strange, that while upmarket digital still cameras are moving more and more towards recording RAW, in the movie market, the push is towards lower quality...