The Hunt For Discount Digital Camcorders

Posted on December 26th, 2009

Psst wanna buy a watch? Wanna save some money? Of course you do. Everyone does. There are a slew factory outlets offering all manner of sales. All of them based on “rock-bottom prices”. Not just one of these at a time but numerous strip malls are dedicated to discount shopping.

Another way of appearing to lower prices is to offer promotions with free products related to the big purchase. Online and offline stores include free samples, headsets, shipping and dozens of other incentives to squeeze that last penny out of your pocket. Generally the more expensive the main item, the better the incentive for you to buy. One such product is the digital camcorder. Wires, media, and cases are all dangled in front of the purchaser’s nose. All these incentives make it difficult to find the best price based on what you want.

What Customers Want

According to consumer studies, the price of the unit usually steers which unit the purchaser will spring for. Initially the camcorder was big and expensive. Now its development has resulted in smaller size along with lower prices. Naturally with the price decrease, the camcorder gained wider acceptance and sales volumes increased. In general, the consumer supports lower prices, ease of use and the increased portability is also a big seller. Technical output is typically not at the top of the list for consumer requirements. An example of this is the manual controls and quality low-light features that increase the size and price. The result of this is that these features are commonly not found on current camcorders. More features don’t necessarily contribute to the ease of selling discount digital camcorders.

Searching for a Product on the Highway

The information highway (read internet) is the fastest and easiest way to compare prices when shopping. In addition to price comparison, they also offer feature comparison. Neatly aligned in columns, it really is much easier comparison shopping for discount digital camcorders. The only problem with online stores is that some of them may have millions of products for sale making it more difficult to find the unit you desire.

Bargain Sites are the Real Deal

If you don’t trust yourself to find a site for discount digital camcorders, there are numerous sites that do the searching for you. Sites such as shopping.yahoo.com will go out on the net and find the lowest prices for the unit you want. Along with price information, they supply copious amounts of information about the products. This information is there instantly just for the asking unlike periodicals that have lead time from days to months. Another advantage of sites like these is that you are not bridled with the advertising rhetoric that most online stores have. As a result finding online bargains for discount digital camcorders and other purchases are much easier.

One incorrect assumption made by a lot of people is that bargain sites are totally automated with no human input. It is true they use the search engine to provide instant results, there are still a number of features that need a human touch. Features such as visitor feedback and reader’s feedback ensure that the best deals on everything including discount digital camcorders is obtained. Not too mention the research obtained from various online such as newsgroups and offline sources such as trade shows and non-internet stores. Also unethical vendors are weeded out with human intervention. When you get to one of these bargain search sites, look for a statement about the site receiving no compensation or commissions to represent particular products. The statement allows the bargain sites to remain unbiased when it comes to product recommendation.

Undoubtedly, the most efficient way to search for discount digital camcorders is through the Internet. In particular, sites with bargain search engines can further simplify and focus your search.

Ready, shoot, action Ken

Digital Camcorders Have Advantages

Posted on December 23rd, 2009

Creating and editing videos has never been easier than with digital video cameras. A digital camcorder provides a convenient way to create movies and put them on tape, DVD or even the internet. As easy as it may seem it may still be prudent for you to understand some basics so that you can get the best quality camcorder for your money.

There are some things to remember when shopping for a digital camcorder. You should pay attention to a few key features of digital camcorders. The viewing screen is one of the most important and relevant factors of the entire device. Remember that you will use this screen not only for shooting your movies but for the convenient playback feature. You will want to be able to adequately view your playback.

Of utmost importance is the lense of any camcorder. Most camcorders sold today feature at least a 10x zoom lens. This is adequate for most purposes. Often higher zoom levels are not able to maintain a quality video so they may not be useful.

All camcorders offer one of two types of image stabilization. They are electronic or optical. Image stabilization is incredibly important. The electronic stabilization counteracts images that seem to float on the CCD by using internal circuitry to interpret video after the image has been captured. The optical option uses the len’s mechanism to compensate for external movements.

Sound is also an important consideration. Sound relies on the quality of the microphone on the camcorder. Some camcorders offer zoom microphones which enhance the voice quality of the subject being recorded. If sound is important to your recordings consider a camcorder that has a socket to plug in a remote microphone.

Do you need to film at night or in dark situations? Then you need to consider the night mode abilities of your camcorder. Many camcorders offer the ability to film at night with the help of infrared or a special slow shutte mode that effectively utilizes ambient lighting. Some models provide both modes for capturing night videos.

Do plenty of research both online and by visiting your local dealers to get a closer look at the merchandise. Determine your needs in a digital camcorder and shop to get the best deal. If you get the right camcorder you will enjoy it and your movies for many years to come.

Jerry Cahill, author, webmaster and publisher. See his latest work at Camcorder Repair

A Beginners Guide to Digital Camcorders

Posted on December 22nd, 2009

Digital camcorders record information in electronic, or digital, form, to a range of digital storage media, including tape, DVD and hard disk.

Key Features

Popular recording formats for digital video, nowadays, include Mini DV tape, Mini DVD and hard disk drive (HDD) storage, akin to that used in computing technology. Mini DV tape is becoming scarcer, but, nevertheless, still provides arguably the highest video quality, and easiest editing. Mini DVD camcorders record to special DVD disks, 8cm in diameter, which are compatible with many, but not all, domestic DVD players. Mini DVD files are more difficult to edit than those recorded to Mini DV. Hard disk drive digital camcorders may allow up to 7 hours, or more, of highest quality video to be recorded, and files can be manipulated, and deleted, in the same way as they are on a computer.

The performance of a camcorder in low levels of light is often what sets a good model apart from a lesser model. This performance is determined by the size, and other characteristics, of an image sensor, known as a CCD (“Charge Coupled Device”), or CMOS (“Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor”). The larger the image sensor, the more light that can be admitted, and the brighter and more colourful the resulting image(s). Consumer camcorders normally contain a CCD between 1/6 and 1/3 of an inch in size. The Mustek 8200 model, for example, offers a 3.0 mega pixel CMOS sensor, and a maximum resolution of 8.0 mega pixels.

When it come to actually shooting video footage, a large, integrated LCD (“Liquid Crystal Display”) screen can make it easier to see what you are recording, particularly in situation where using the viewfinder if difficult, or impracticable. An LCD screen can also be used to play back video footage, once it has been recorded. Most LCD screens are around 2.5 inches, measured diagonally, although screens as large as 3.5 inches are available. A larger screen inevitably means a larger camcorder, and probably a higher price tag, too. The Mustek DV535A model, for example, features a 2.4 inch TFT LCD screen.

The size and weight of a digital camcorder determine how easy it is to carry around – and, therefore, possibly, how often you take it with you, and use it – and how easy it is to physically operate. The emphasis on smaller and smaller camcorders means that price may, in fact, be inversely proportionate to size, despite tiny camcorders having fewer features and less accessible controls.

Conclusion

Specifications can be useful in helping to narrow down your choice of digital camcorder to a manageable number, based on your available budget, but there really is no substitute for physically getting your hands on your chosen camcorder. This allows you, for example, to feel the weight of the camcorder, and to check that its controls are large enough for your fingers. Bear in mind, too, that unless you intend to use a tripod, some form of image stabilisation – digital, or better still, optical – will probably be required.

Alicia Taylor is a researcher and writer on electronics, financial and business topics.


e-tailers such as 3 Wisemonkeys now offer a guide to buying digital cameras & camcorders. As well as producing quick guides such as the one above, 3 Wise Monkeys will respond to individual queries and offers detailed buying advice over the phone with no pressure to purchase.

A Digital Camcorders Review – What You Should Know Before You Buy

Posted on December 16th, 2009

There has been such rapid changes and improvements in the field of camcorders over the last ten years or so that it may be confusing when you start looking to buy one today. There are a handful of competing formats that you should be aware of and know what they mean before you buy. So here is a digital camcorders review on what you should know before you buy:

* First of all the old bulky VHS camcorders of yesteryear are gone. They have given way to much improved versions that are lighter, smaller and produce much better video. However, you can still use VHS tapes for playback if you choose a VHS-C type of camcorder. This is an analog camcorder that records to tape that can be used in a VCR but the tape itself is small and compact to eliminate the big bulk of the old VHS camcorders, Once you record the video, you just place it into an adapter that lets you pop it into the VCR just as you would with any movie and view your video. Although they are small and compact, these are some of the most inexpensive camcorders that are available today and can be had for just a couple hundred dollars at many places both online and offline.

* 8mm camcorders also record to tape but the tapes are even smaller than those used by VHS-C camcorders. The disadvantage is that you can not play them through the VCR, but you can connect the camcorder straight to the TV and play it that way. Hi8 camcorders are just more advanced, better quality versions of an 8mm camcorder that produces the very best picture and sound that you can get this side of digital itself.

* Digital camcorders – These are currently the most expensive camcorders available but they are also becoming surprisingly more affordable too as time goes on. They record video images in digital format which allows them to be much more vivid and sharp, and the sound is vastly improved over the old analog camcorders. Because everything is recorded digitally there is no loss of detail when copies are made and this is a big advantage for some. Of course digital files themselves would take up huge amounts of disk space, so most digital camcorders still record to tape for the extra storage space capacity that tapes offer. The miniDV category of digital camcorders is extremely small and records to tapes that are even smaller than 8mm, while still recording hours worth of video at a time.

So many people think that all camcorders they find are now digital camcorders, but as this digital camcorders review indicates, you can still run across a lot of analog camcorders out there as well, and they are usually easily spotted by their lower price. If they will do the job for you, that may be all you need. But if you want the best audio and video possible consider either the miniDV or the 8mm digital camcorder instead.

Find out more about digital camcorders review and cannon camcorders by visiting our Home Theater website.

Top 7 Digital Camcorders

Posted on December 14th, 2009

Today there are many choices available when it comes to digital camcorders. The shelfs are full of brands and models each unique in their features and capabilities. Here is a list of the top 7 digital camcorders.


Canon Vixia HF10 – This is Canon’s first flash memory media digital camcorder. It delivers excellent High Definition quality video and performance while remaining compact and user-friendly. Specifications: High Definition Digital Camcorder, 16 GB Internal Flash Drive, full 1920×1080 capture and recording High Definition Video, 12 x optical/200x digital zoom lens. Retail: $1099.00


CANON VIXIA HF100 – Canon’s second Flash Media digital camcorder, same small package and continues to deliver excellent High Definition video quality. With it’s advanced Video Codec High Definition, the picture never fails to deliver a supreme high-def viewing experience.

Specifications: Digital Camcorder, Flash Card memory, full 1920×1080 capture and recording High Definition Video, 12 x high definition video zoom lens. Retail: $899.00


Canon DC-50 Digital CamcorderCanon DC-50 – Nice and simple. Canon delivers a simple DVD camcorder that produces great video. Specifications: DVD Digital Camcorder, 5.39 megapixels, 10 x optical zoom, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm). Retail: $799.00


Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 – This 60GB Hard Drive based High Definition Video digital camcorder features superb image quality and top notch performance. Specifications: 60GB Hard-Drive Digital Camcorder, full 1920×1080 capture and recording High Definition Video, 12 x optical zoom. Retail: $1199.00


Canon DC230 – A great budget model. While it has few frills, the long lens and good video quality makes the Canon DC230 stand above the rest of the inexpensive DVD type camcorders. Specifications: DVD Digital Camcorder, 1.07 megapixels, 35 x optical zoom, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm). Retail: $449.00


JVC GR-D250 – While JVC manufacturers offer several types of digital camcorders the GR-D250 stands out due to a budget price and a big zoom range. Specifications: MiniDV Digital Camcorder, 25 x optical zoom/800 x digital zoom. Retail: $279.00


Flip Ultra: You cannot write about top digital camcorders and not mention the Flip Ultra, the second and better version of the original Flip from Pure Digital. An innovation in video recording the Flip hit the market by storm and accounts for over 13% of all video camera sales. Major manufacturers are all ready mimicking the Flip by coming out with similar versions. The Flip Ultra can definitely be dubbed as the “simple and perfect” digital camcorder.


Specifications are pretty much nill with this one. The screen is tiny (1.5 inches) and doesn’t swing out for self-portraits. No still shots. There are no settings, no menu buttons, no light, no lens cap and no memory card. No optical zoom, only a 2 x digital zoom. The entire unit is pocket size, has three buttons, play, stop and trash. No battery pack, works with AA batteries, (alkalines last about 2 hours and rechargeables about 5 hours).


No tapes or disks, all footage is downloaded via attached USB plug, which pops out at 90 degrees to the camera body, plug that into the computer and download the footage. The Flip’s icon appears on your screen as though it’s a disk. When you open it, you find a folder full of video clips, which you can play, copy to your hard drive and burn to DVD and edit in most standard editing programs. All of this requires a one-time installation of a special codec (a video-format translator). You can also use a special cable to plug it into the TV and watch footage.


Also, you can take the Flip to a CVS or other participating store where they will make you a DVD for $13.


The entire filming process is: Press the red button once to record and once to stop. Press play to review the video and then trash to delete scene. Thats it?


Yes that’s it! It is the most simple of digital camcorders that fits anywhere and everywhere, and is light enough for a baby to hold. It’s size allows it to go anywhere, and everywhere where a traditional camcorder may not, like a purse, beach bag, or pocket. It’s rugged so you can take it skiing, to the playground, while playing a sport and virtually anywhere where you might need to shoot some clips. And if you get the acrylic accessory case (retails: $50) you can even take it UNDERWATER!


With all this simplicity, the Flip delivers an amazingly good picture quality. It has TV resolution (640 x 480 pixels, 30 frames per second). The picture is surprisingly good, not as good as high definition or tape digital camcorders but for the price and simplicity the Flip definitely earns a spot on the top digital camcorders list. The most amazing feature is the Flip’s low-light ability, which trumps even the most expensive of digital camcorders. Not only is the video grain-free, but recorded dim scenes actually look brighter than they looked to the naked eye. Retail Price: $149.99 with max 60 minutes of footage.


Something to consider is that in todays’ world with the Internet providing a stage where millions of sellers and merchants compete for your business it is easy to save significant amounts of money by avoiding retail merchants and purchasing discount digital camcorders.

You can learn more about digital camcorders, read helpful buying guides and shop for these top models, as well as all brands of digital camcorders at discount prices, including the Flip Ultra for under $100 at: JR’s Discount Digital Camcorders.

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