Canon’s 70-plus years of optical expertise,
combined with its advanced proprietary video
technologies, delivers the superior image
quality worthy of your favorite foota ge.
Video format options
for camcorders
TODAY’S CAMCORDER SHOPPERS have more options than ever before,
but determining which format to buy can be confusing. Not long ago, all
camcorders recorded on tape. Now, you can choose from tape (miniDV or
HDV), DVD, hard disk drive (HDD) and flash memory. Each format has distinct advantages, and the decision to go with one or another comes down to
your own personal preference and budget.
There’s another exciting development with camcorders. High-definition
capabilities are arriving in all formats. Being able to record your videos in
HD means that the resolution of the pictures is the highest yet and that your
video’s audio tracks will be in surround sound. This makes for a great presentation on your home HDTV.
MiniDV: Let’s go to the videotape
MiniDV is a format that is familiar to many of us. Up to 80 minutes of
video can be recorded on a small cassette. These tapes are inexpensive and
can be easily purchased just about anywhere (great when you are taking that
trip to Tahiti). Compared with other formats, miniDV camcorders are also the
most affordable.
DVD: the perfect match for your home theater
DVD camcorders allow you to record your video directly to a 3-inch
DVD. This disc is smaller than the larger 5-inch DVD movies you buy or rent
from the store. The big advantage of DVD camcorders is their convenience.
When you want to watch your video, just pop the disc into your home DVD
player, sit back and enjoy. You can record up to 75 minutes of standard
video on a single-layer DVD, depending on selected video quality.
Hard disk drive: long recording time
Hard disk drive camcorders do not use tapes or discs. Video is recorded
directly to an internal hard disk drive, allowing you to record many hours
of video without having to switch media. This means you will never miss a
moment when you are recording your child’s soccer game. To back up your
video in a safe place, you simply download your video to the computer, erase
your camcorder’s hard drive and start recording again.
Flash memory: Record video in a flash
Flash memory is the newest way to store video. Video can be recorded
to a tiny SDHC memory card or, with certain camcorders, directly to an internal flash drive. Since flash memory does not use any moving parts, these camcorders are ultra-compact and lightweight, offer excellent battery life and are
shock resistant. Flash memory camcorders are also the most convenient, as a
memory card can be easily inserted into a computer’s memory card reader or
an HDTV’s card slot for instant viewing. A
