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I Want A Great camcorder?

I want an easy to use but with a video camera image quality than the copies directly to DVD, and a decent price. I need to let me connect to the computer and to upload to You Tube to my moments with my family. Im so clueless when it comes to this. Ok plz help me am I better go with a video camera that uses a memory card so you can only burn my DVD and not have to buy the team to get on the comp?

I can only help as a Mini DV camera is better quality than DVD, but you'll need an editing program for your computer. Sorry I was not more help

JVC Everio GZ-MG130 30 GB Camcorder GREAT condition only used a couple of times $64.99

Panasonic Palmcorder PVL352 VHS C Camcorder ” WORKS GREAT” $19.99

Sony Handycam HDR-CX12 Camcorder – Black Great Conditon $255.00

Canon GL 2 Camcorder – Black/Silver in Great Condition but AS IS- Eats Tapes $224.01

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Sony Handycam DCR-VX2000 Camcorder – In great shape! $560.00

Canon DM-XL1S 3CCD Digital Video Camcorder Mini DV Works Great DM XL1S XL1 $461.66

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Sharp VL-Z7U Z7 MiniDv Camcorder + ACC works great $115.00

Panasonic PV-GS2 MiniDv Camcorder + ACC works great $115.00

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Sony DCR-TRV19 Digital Mini DV Camcorder – Great Shape $130.00

Sony CCD-TRV29 Video8 8mm Video Camera/Camcorder/Player/Viewer. GREAT CONDITION! $149.00

Sony Handycam HDR-HC7 Camcorder – - Shoots great video PLEASE READ MINOR DEFECT $295.00

Sony Handycam DCR-VX2000 Skateboarding Camcorder Mini DV Great Shape $750.00

Panasonic AG-EZ50 3CCD MiniDv Camcorder + ACC works great + extras $495.00

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Canon Vixia HV20 Camcorder Silver w/bag and additional lenses Great condition $325.00

Sony CCD-TRV85 Camcorder – Silver with accessories – WORKS GREAT! $205.00

Panasonic PV-GS70 3CCD MiniDv Camcorder + ACC works great $195.00

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Digital Video Camera – Camcorder (Sony Handycam DCR-TRV260) – Works Great $41.00

Canon OPTURA PROGRESSIVE SCAN CCD MiniDv Camcorder + ACC works great $395.00

JVC GR-D90 MiniDv Camcorder + ACC / works great $135.00

Sony Handycam DCR-TRV103 Camcorder Great Working order Free Shipping NR!! $31.00

Sony Handycam CCD-TRV68 Camcorder – Silver GREAT UNIT! ORIGINAL OWNER! $85.00

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Sony CCD-TR99 Video8 “Stereo” 8mm Camcorder/Player. GREAT CONDITION! Extras!!! $20.45

Canon DC DC100 Camcorder – Silver (MPN US) Works Great !!!! Looks Great !!!! $39.99

SHARP VL-SD20 SD20U MINIDV CAMCORDER + ACC / works great $115.00

Panasonic VDR-M70 DVD Camcorder + ACC / works great $165.00

Sony Handycam DCR-VX2100 Camcorder – Great Condition! $1,100.00

SVHS PANASONIC AG456UP VIDEOCAMERA camcorder w/case and cords. GREAT CONDITION! $155.00

Canon FS20 8 GB Camcorder – Silver GREAT CAMERA EASY TO HANDLE SEE PREVIEW $99.99

Canon Elura 60 MiniDv Camcorder + ACC / works great $155.00

JVC GR-D270U MiniDv Camcorder + ACC / works great $115.00

Vivitar DVR506 Digital Camcorder! Great Condition! HD Red Camcorder! $10.00

Hitachi DZ-MV550A DVD Camcorder + ACC / works great $125.00

Samsung SMX-F34BN 16 GB Camcorder – Black with accessories take a l@@k great $119.06

Panasonic AG DVX100B Camcorder – Great Condition + Extras! $510.00

Canon XH A1 Camcorder – Black (Used) Great condition with EXTRAS $960.00

2 for 1 SALE jvc Camcorder : JVC-AXM510U + JVC GR-AX760U AND BOTH WORK GREAT $25.99

Hitachi DZ-GX5020A Camcorder – Silver w/ Carrying Case in GREAT CONDITION! $129.99

Samsung SC-DX103 Digital Camcorder – Great condition! $124.97

JVC GZ-MG130U 30GB HDD Camcorder + ACC / 800X ZOOM works great $155.00

Sony CCD-TRV128 Hi8 and Video8 8mm Video Camera/Camcorder/Player. GREAT COND! $159.00

Samsung SMX-F33BN F33 8GB Digital Memory Camcorder + ACC / works great $125.00

Flip Video MinoHD F460 4 GB Camcorder – Black – Great HD video! Digital Camera $0.99

Canon Optura XI Camcorder Great Condition – Silver With Lots of Accessories $195.00

Camcorder is best for surveillance?

To See all the figures / graphics / illustrations referenced in this article, click here.

A BSTRACT

  Looking for a Digital Video camera for use in conducting surveillance? However, improvements in CCD technology and CMOS image sensors and the introduction of the new high definition display and recording formats have undoubtedly led to the introduction of lots of different models of digital camcorders. Because of the wide variation in features and price, is more difficult than ever to select the best digital camera. Certainly, some models are better than others in the review the specific application for which the camcorder is intended and the characteristics required. Because there are so many factors involved in making a selection and since the new models are frequently introduced, it is best to provide useful guidelines in the evaluation of models for a specific application. Then, as new models become available, they can compare with existing models based on the same conditions.

The aim of this paper is to provide guidelines that should be considered in evaluating the video cameras for use in surveillance applications. These applications are to be used by the military, police and special investigative staff to gather evidence or conducting electronic journalism and usually include remote display. While these are guidelines useful for understanding important camcorder specifications before taking his own camcorder purchase decision, we suggest you do your own research of available models and, based on these guidelines, select the model provides the best performance and perform your own tests in real life situations. You may learn that other factors may be important for your specific application and final decision is a commitment by the other factors.

For surveillance, optical image quality is of utmost importance. Camcorder Resolution and sensitivity are the main factors to consider, with a variety of factors as image and pixel fields of view, the pixel size and frame rate, image stabilization, alternative lens options and objectives interchangeable, the integration mode, digital zoom and screen resolution of user interface, video formats, recording media, increased manual, the infrared mode, video compression, external audio inputs, display, robustness, and video compression.

Camcorder Resolution

Video resolution is affected by a variety of specifications of different video camera. It is well known that the camcorders high definition offers higher resolution than standard definition formats. However, it is important to realize that if the camera is used to record sequences of pictures you have seen (instead of using the camera only to see the video output in real time), both the optical resolution and the recording format should be considered in determining the video resolution. Considered separately, the optical resolution depends not only on size but also the detector array of the image and the pixel field of view. HD recording format also affects the resolution. Finally, there are factors other resolution to justify an examination to determine the ultimate resolution camcorder.

Size of the array of detector:

It seems that each video camera detector uses a slightly different image. While the HD recording format can be 1280×720, 1440×1080 or 1920×1080, the image detectors may vary slightly. As shown in the table, for a selection of mid-range cameras, the detector array sizes can vary from a single chip cameras with matrices of size 1920×1080 (Canon HF-10 and Sony HDRSR11) to three blocks of chips with the sensors the size of 1440×1080. The physical size of the image detector also varies from camcorder to camcorder.

Image and Pixel Field of View:

As shown in the attached table (reference above link) the combination of the physical dimensions of the image sensor of the camcorder (eg 1 / 3 ") and the focal length of the objective lens (eg 50 mm) result in an image field of view (FOV) which is defined as the angle of view from which it receives information image. There are different angles corresponding to the horizontal and vertical directions depending on the aspect ratio of the image. Video formats for display wide vertical field of view is 9 / 16 horizontal field of view. All camcorders have a zoom lens when the focal length varies from one position wide angle (with the larger field of view angle) to a telephoto position (with the smaller field of view angle). A smaller field view results in a greater increase in image, as would be required to see small objects at a distance.

The small images of detectors create narrow viewing angle when using the lens of the same focal length. For example, a 50mm lens provides a horizontal field of view of 5.5 ° and 3.7 °, when used with a 1 / 2 "and 1 / 3" format detector, respectively. On the basis of the variation in sizes of detector and lens focal length, angle field of view for different video cameras varies accordingly. The image field of view can be determined for any video camera based in a simple formula.

The field of view images (also known as the instantaneous field of view or IFOV) is a measure of resolution of an imaging system. Although related, image and field of view FOV of pixels are different and a video camera that has the narrow field of vision image not necessarily have a corresponding pixel narrow field of vision. As shown in the table (mentioned in previous link), while Canon camcorders the smallest of the image and FOV pixel values, the Sony HDR-SR11 has a smaller pixel field of view despite a field of view image that is almost twice as large as those from Canon.

A handy FOV calculator will can be used to determine the values of field of view for a particular candidate camcorders. Pixel FOV are also calculated as the detection, identification and recognition of certain sizes range values specified object to a specified distance.

Recording Format:

The difference between the different formats of HD recording is beyond the scope of this document. However, the impact of recording format in the resolution is critical to the performance imaging for surveillance applications and is described here.

As shown in figure (referred to in the first link in the article), video cameras standard definition (with a 4:3 aspect ratio), recorded video with 480 horizontal lines per image giving a resolution of 640 x 480. (This is for NTSC. Registered PAL formats with 576 lines per frame giving a resolution of 640×576). Widescreen versions these standard-definition camcorders with 16:9 aspect ratio were also available and recorded with the resolution a little larger than 720 x 480 (720×576 for PAL versions). Due to limitations of the recording format, it would have been useful to have a high resolution CCD / CMOS detector larger than 720×480 pixels on a video camera NTSC standard definition, except under certain circumstances (such as zoom in for a central pixel). However, with the introduction recording format for high resolution, high-resolution detectors sense.

Camcorder sensitivity

High-definition refers to video with higher resolution than standard definition and most commonly refers to decisions based on any row 720 / frame or 1080 lines / frame. Recording formats can be either 1920×1080, 1440×1080 and 1280×720. So, are available with 720 or 1080 lines per frame recording formats with a resolution of 1280×720 and 1920×1080 respectively. It is important to understand the recording format for any video camera question. If the full sensor resolution is required to perform the surveillance function, then make sure that the camcorder records in the resolution enough.

This article was about digital cameras, the previous discussion on the recording format would have been sufficient to describe the effects on image quality. However, since the video incorporates movement, the fact that some cameras record "embedded" video, while other record "progressive" video has some relevance, especially when the movement is important for the type of monitoring that is done. If not, then the relevance of interlaced vs. progressive scan is less important.

Other factors Resolution:

It is worth mentioning that in these video cameras use three sensors, pixel shift technology has been employed in the horizontal axis to make additional improvements to the resolution sensor using an interpolation. This complicates the calculation of the optical resolution of something, but can not be a major factor.

Camcorder Low light sensitivity is usually of paramount importance to surveillance applications, especially when the image at dusk or dawn, but when you attach a night vision module that intensifies ambient light. The guidelines for the evaluation of the camcorder are listed below. It recommends a review of the following factors: the recommended minimum spec lighting, F number of the objective lens, detector pixel size, the availability of Release Night vision.

As such, but criteria for the comparison of these include: Objective lens F number, pixel size, reduction electronic noise, it is clear that the low light performance as detailed in the list of specifications for video cameras because cameras can produce different different results, even though the specifications may be similar.

Consequently, once you've identified a few different video cameras that have the characteristics interest and performance you require, it is important to test the ability of light to the camcorder down.

Minimum Illumination Recommended specification:

Very often, under the performance specifications of light found in the specification of a camera video. These are often described as the sensitivity or "low light" or "minimum illumination" and the result is expressed in lux. The smaller the number lux, the better the video camera works in low light. However, due to details that describe how these low-light measurements are often not provided, is very difficult to compare these figures when comparing different camcorder models from different manufacturers. (Which is the reflectivity of the objects is assumed to be see? What is the signal to noise ratio? Brightness of the image? etc.) As such use of these specifications is difficult and not always satisfactory. Obviously, it is best video cameras to prove yourself. Some sites (like www.camcorderinfo.com) perform their own tests very rigorous.

Detector size Pixel pitch:

Not only is the size of the detector array important, but the physical size of the detector is also important for several reasons. Most often, the detector of small physical sizes (eg 1 / 6 "format) are on cheaper camcorders, while larger detectors (eg, 1 / 3 "format) are higher-performance cameras. Physically small detectors require small, lenses cheaper and result in compact, lower cost cameras. For surveillance applications, an important consideration is to decrease sensitivity to light with Pixel size. While larger pixels generally have a more light sensitivity is higher when the image in low light or at night, larger pixels also lead to a decrease in resolution (in the consideration of a particular focal length lens). Further, larger pixels with large matrix sizes result in large arrays and large lenses. Therefore, smaller pixels are often preferable. It should compare the sensitivity of the camcorder with the most small pixels with other camcorders under consideration. The pixel sizes for a variety of digital video cameras are shown in the attached table (referred to in the first link in the article).

Objective Lens F-Number:

As with the cameras SLR Lens F number is important in the light sensitivity of a video camera under. All things being equal, a lens with low F-number (eg F1.4) focuses much of the light from the scene imaging detector sensitive in the camcorder. A lens with an F-number that is twice as high (F2.8) will pass only 25% of the light through it, causing the video camera 25% as sensitive. That's a lot! For compact video cameras with integrated lenses, sometimes the objective lens should be designed with a relatively high F-number in order to maintain the compact design while offering the desired zoom range. In particular, it notes that the number F in the focal Longer length increases the values slightly. Numbers F at the maximum zoom setting for a variety of digital video cameras are shown in the accompanying graph.

Night Vision Module Availability:

For video cameras to be used for surveillance applications, the availability of a night vision module can be very important, especially for images at a distance and at night. Camcorders simply have no sensitivity sufficient light for the image in these environments. However, attaching a module night vision like the one shown here, the light sensitivity of the camera can be increased by up to ten F-stops. As is well known, the images of vision night will result in green, absent of all colors. However, reasonable images can be produced in stars and the moon. Some of these vision modules night can be viewed by clicking on the link above.

Another factor to take into account

In the evaluation of video cameras to surveillance applications, resolution and sensitivity are usually the primary considerations, other factors may merit attention. Some of these are listed below.

Media: "Media" refers to the video is stored. Many cameras use several different means of communication types. The following are the most common types of media and some considerations for surveillance applications:

• MiniDV Tape – These have been used for many years. The disadvantage is the need for forward and back instead of direct access. However, it is known to be quite reliable, they are widely available and resilient. Furthermore, it is often convenient to have the physical means with surveillance images instead of a virtual copy of the one that could be more easily misplaced or mislabeled.
• MiniDVD – Despite a media family, can not be as convenient as expected from the DVD can not be inserted directly into DVD players. In addition, recording the highest quality sometimes results in significantly lower capacity.
• Hard disk drive (HDD) – These are generally the media, high-capacity (eg, 120 gigabytes) with long recording times. Copy security is important and necessary. Also consider carefully whether the compressed video is used for storage in order to increase available capacity.
• Flash Memory – flash memory (such as solid state memory and memory card) is very attractive because there are no moving parts resulting in a compact and efficient. Capabilities are increasing every year.

Image stabilization:

Image stabilization is a camcorder feature which improves the image quality of hand during the video recordings, the noise reduction due to movement of the camcorder. The immediate stabilizer corrects camcorder shake hand so full telephoto shots (like the video taken from a moving vehicle) are smooth and consistent. These image stabilizers may be optical or digital design. The optical image stabilizers generally manipulate a prism in the lens to stabilize the image when is projected on the video camera detector. The digital image stabilizers usually meaning the camera movement and taking advantage of the rows and columns Additional perimeter of the detector, changing the face of an amount sufficient to stabilize certain types of stroke. Typically, optical image stabilizers, although more expensive, is preferable as it better to remove the component of the motion blur.

Interchangeability of objectives:

Many low-cost cameras have removable objective lenses. These lenses are compact and highly integrated into the casing of the camcorder, have a very wide range of zoom and even macro capability. Normally, the field of vision of the Integrated zoom is selected to achieve the rank of field of view desired for most applications. Without But for versatility, higher end camcorders offer a removable lens and lens mount for a series of lenses may be offered by a modification broader applications, including wider viewing angle and telephoto more. (See a list of mid-range cameras with removable lenses here). For removable-lens cameras, if you need more angle or telephoto field of view values, adapters are sometimes offered to change the magnification as desired. But the result is a reduction in optical quality. For the author of the video surveillance, interchangeable lenses, can be a great benefit if the increase offered by fixed lens cameras is not enough for the desired application. Furthermore, night vision modules that are designed to fit a removable lens cameras between the lens and the camcorder and retain all the functions that the objective lens', including motorized zoom, auto-iris and image stabilization.

Digital Zoom:

Digital zoom is an important feature for any video camera. Because you can not see the resolution of all image sensors in the viewfinder of the camcorder or the display panel, digital zoom allows the operator to drill in the viewer that otherwise would unnoticed until the digital images were then analyzed. It is also useful to note that a switch to have a larger pixel matrix allows the operator to more digital zoom with a video camera with a smaller detector without the effects of pixelation.

User Interface:

Any camcorder operator confirmed that accessibility to the functions is of some importance. Drilling through sub-menu after sub-menu access to routine functions is not desirable to do while in the field.

The infrared mode:

Some camcorders have a sensitivity to near-infrared light that allows the use of an infrared illuminator to illuminate the scenes. For various reasons, these illuminators are not applicable to many surveillance situations. On one hand, the illuminators normally included with the video cameras do not cast enough illumination to distances of interest. They can be detected by others with most camcorders and CCD cameras.

Manual Gain:

For situations low light, some camcorders offer manual gain mode that allows the user to manually adjust the gain in the video image, usually increases to 18 dB. Although grain, for surveillance applications, video images are usually a significant improvement over non-livestock or even self-learned versions.

Shutter speed:

If you keep the standard frame rate (eg 60 Hz) is not necessary because the objects under observation are not moving quickly, the frame rate and shutter speed detector can be reduced (eg, 1 / 3 sec), so that each pixel the sensor will integrate light over a long time they are exposed. In dark environments, the selection of the integration of longer acceptable time may be sufficient to provide a useful image at dusk or dawn.

External audio inputs:

To to prevent the onset of optical sound like a pure geek, it is important to mention that the audio quality and access to external audio inputs is important for the cameraman surveillance. The microphone does not always work well when shooting images of far or when you need something more directional for filtering ambient noise.

Viewfinder:

When to covert surveillance, with a viewing of the video camera is sometimes important to keep the lighting LCD panel.

Robustness:

Another compromise is the lack of strength in the camera hardware – switches and controls Videographers weak cause stress. When you're on the field in possibly dangerous conditions, I will not be playing with the controls slightly and LCD panels that easily separate.

Price:

Of course, price is always a consideration in the evaluation of many camera models video available today many. But what these guidelines should show is that very often the most expensive camera can not be the best for an application specifi c. Understand what features are most beneficial for its application in examining price range of camcorders.

Conclusion

Improvements in CCD technology and CMOS image sensors, and the introduction of the new high definition display and recording formats have been to the introduction of lots of different models of digital camcorders. Guidelines have been provided in the evaluation of video cameras for use in surveillance applications.

For monitoring, optical image quality is of utmost importance. Camcorder resolution and sensitivity are the main factors to consider, with a variety of related factors, such as image and pixel fields of view, the pixel size and frame rate, image stabilization, options alternative lens and interchangeable lens, the integration mode, digital zoom and screen resolution of user interface, video formats, recording of the media, increased manual mode infrared, video compression, external audio inputs, display, robustness, and video compression.

While these are useful guides for understanding important camcorder specifications before taking his own decision to purchase your camcorder, I suggest doing your own research of available models and, based on these guidelines, select the model provides the best performance and conduct your own tests in real life situations. You may learn that other factors may be important for your specific application and final decision is a compromise other factors.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: We have made every effort to provide accurate information. However, we can not accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies. If you detect errors or need assistance, please contact us directly. Thank you.

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