| Camcorders are ingenious tools that allow us to | | | | larger. |
| record images of the events that make up our | | | | The Microphone: |
| lives or to get creative and produce unique and | | | | The average camcorder has a built-in |
| interesting films that previously only professional | | | | multi-directional microphone. These microphones |
| videographers could craft. For beginners, it is | | | | tend to pick up audio from any direction; from |
| important to understand a little bit about the basic | | | | behind, in front of, and at the sides of the |
| anatomy of a camcorder in order to be better | | | | camcorder. Thus many home movies end up |
| equipped to make a selection when shopping. | | | | difficult to hear due to undesired "background |
| Although every camcorder model is a bit different | | | | noise". |
| and may offer unique features there are basic | | | | A camcorder also often has a microphone jack. If |
| components that are common to them all. | | | | the camcorder has such a jack, purchasing an |
| The Image Sensor: | | | | external microphone to attach to it can greatly |
| A camcorder uses either a CCD, charge-coupled | | | | improve the audio captured. External microphones |
| device, or CMOS, complimentary metal-oxide | | | | can be moved closer to the sound source in |
| semiconductor, to convert light into electrical | | | | some instances and in others they can focus on |
| signals and record the resulting images. They | | | | the sound that is desired versus any background |
| basically perform the same function as film in a | | | | noise. Wireless microphones and lapel microphones |
| traditional camera or camcorder. | | | | are useful when recording individual speakers. |
| A CCD consumes much more power than a | | | | Shotgun microphones pick up sound from in front |
| CMOS chip but tends to produce a higher quality | | | | of the microphone at a distance while cardioid |
| image. Images produced via a camcorder with | | | | microphones pick up sound from in front which is |
| CMOS tend to have more "noise" due to lower | | | | nearby. Each option helps to reduce the intrusion |
| resolution and less light sensitivity. As with most | | | | of unwanted sound that distorts the audio desired. |
| technologies however, CMOS as the newer | | | | The View Finder and LCD Panels: |
| development is gradually gaining ground. The | | | | The viewfinder on a camcorder allows users to |
| primary advantage of CMOS at this time is it's | | | | see what they are filming. They can be black and |
| affordability versus the more expensive CCD | | | | white or color. Size varies as does resolution. |
| sensors. | | | | Some users select a larger viewfinder with higher |
| The Lens: | | | | resolution to aid their visibility but others simply |
| The lens of a camcorder provides the opening for | | | | use the LCD screen for this purpose. LCD screen |
| light to pass through onto the CCD/CMOS and | | | | sizes vary as well, and are selected based on |
| focuses it so that the image is sharp. By adjusting | | | | personal preference. Viewfinders can often |
| the lens users can alter what items within a scene | | | | provide greater visibility when filming in sunlight |
| are in focus as well as how much light is entering | | | | while use of an LCD screen that swivels allows |
| to control the look and quality of the resulting | | | | greater visibility if filming overhead. |
| images. Lens controllers are sometimes purchased | | | | Inputs and Outputs: |
| to allow a user to adjust the lens from the handle | | | | A camcorder will have AV sockets and ports to |
| of the tripod. | | | | allow connectivity to other devices such as a |
| Add on lenses and filters can be used. For | | | | television or computer. These sockets allow film |
| instance a telephoto lens allows subjects at a | | | | to be downloaded, played back, or copied. To |
| distance to be magnified, a wide angle lens | | | | allow the camcorder to hook up with a TV or |
| broadens the horizontal field, and a fisheye lens | | | | other device it is important that the inputs and |
| allows for an extreme wide-angle view. Common | | | | outputs coincide. These may be composite video |
| filters include polarizing filters to reduce glare and | | | | or S-video for analog signals or DVI/HDMI for |
| UV filters to protect the lens from harmful rays. | | | | digital signals. |
| An important feature with camcorder lenses is | | | | Most camcorders will hook up with a PC via a |
| optical zoom which allows the lens to magnify | | | | USB 2 or FireWire port which allows much faster |
| images; a function that allows users to obtain | | | | transfer than a USB 1.1 port. Again, the |
| better pictures of subjects at a distance. Optical | | | | camcorder must be compatible with the |
| image stabilizers help to detect and reduce | | | | computer to allow hook up. |
| unwanted movement of the camcorder to | | | | Although the construction of a camcorder can be |
| produce a smoother, more stable film. Digital | | | | much more complex and there is variability in |
| versions of zoom and stabilization are available on | | | | features from device to device, if beginners |
| camcorders but do tend to produce a somewhat | | | | understand these basic parts they will be well on |
| lower quality image. Digital stabilization however is | | | | their way to being able to make a knowledgeable |
| sometimes preferred by some consumers as | | | | selection when shopping. |
| camcorders with optical stabilization are often | | | | |