subject: Tips For Choosing The Best Hd Video Camera - Critical Things You Should Be Aware Of [print this page] Life's precious moments are just too important to miss. Our memories are too short and too undependable in remembering the important occasions and events that mark our lives. In this day and age of modern technology, it is best to rely on high definition video cameras to store our moments for us.
Buying an HD video camera is a long-term investment for almost everyone (except perhaps for the techie who just cannot stand not getting the next big thing) and as such shouldn't be rushed into. Careful consideration is needed in choosing the best HD video camera around. How do you pick out what's right for you and get the most value for your money?
Before buying your high definition camcorder, you must first evaluate what you are going to use it for. The features you need are going to depend on the kind of use you will have for your camcorder. This is important because price depends on the features a video camera has. If you're simply going to use your digital camcorder to tape your personal or your family's moments, then you're just probably going to need to shell out $500 or less for an entry-level version. However, for more advanced features, you can expect to fork out over a thousand dollars. Also, how an HD camcorder records video is another factor to consider. If you're mostly going to just be shooting regular everyday scenes that do not involve fast-motion, then a 1080i (i stands for "interlaced video" which basically records every other line of resolution) would serve you well. However, if you're going to be filming a lot of action scenes like sports activities, for example, you might prefer a 1080p (p stands for "progressive scan video" which records every line of video without skipping). The latter gives sharper images.
Lenses also matter in your decision. The optical zoom ratio of the HD video camera of your choice is an important factor to consider in your purchase. Optical zoom refers to how close your camcorder can capture the action even if you're some distance away. A 10x optical zoom should be enough for most purposes, however, if you're going to be using the video cam heavily, a greater optical zoom ratio is always an advantage. Take note that an optical zoom is different from a digital zoom that only enlarges the image.
Another factor you need to also keep in mind is that the LCD screen must still give you a clear view of what you're filming even in direct sunlight. There are some LCD screens that don't do too good a job at this which could lead to a lot of frustrating moments. You might also want to get one which has the capacity to take videos even in low-light conditions, which could come extremely useful if you're using your camcorder to film evening occasions or events when days are cloudy.
Finally, if you're going to be doing a lot of computer editing with your HD video camera on your computer, you're going to have to include upgrading your computer's processing power in the cost, too, since high-definition videos also need greater amount of computer disk space. If you're computer is a bit antiquated or already nearing full, you're HD videos might not play properly, if at all.
