Camcorder Masterclass - Index
Choosing a Camcorder

Color Viewfinders The 'bells and whistle count' used to market camcorders mean that these are gradually taking over. However normal monochrome displays gives better picture resolution and make for easier focussing. Colors displayed in the viewfinder are not necessarily the same as that recorded. Manual focus Recently some manufacturers have excluded this vital facility, which eliminates the focussing difficulties prevalent with auto-focus in low light and certain other conditions. We suggest that prospective purchasers reject any models lacking a manual facility, or where it is difficult to smoothly manipulate whilst shooting. Also ensure that when the auto is disengaged the lens doesn't float, thereby causing unwanted movement of the picture through the viewfinder. The movement will. be magnified when seen on a screen and even more so for telephoto shots. White balance The automatic and preset white balance controls generally enable accurate recording of colours under varying lighting conditions, although occasionally certain models give a slightly more blue outdoor picture than others. Look for a manual white balance control. It can be a little more accurate and flexible when in the hands of the enthusiast. Zoom lens Don't be excited by a machine sporting extreme electronic magnification. It is gimmickry, the picture quality becoming seriously degraded long before the top end of the scale is reached. Normal magnifications range from 6x to 12x and are adequate. However pay attention to the minimal focal- range, where a low one (say 5 or 6mm) enables wider coverage of an area. This is particularly helpful when shooting indoors or in limited space. Exposure Automatic exposure has its limitations in tricky lighting situations. For example where a head is shot against a sunlit window the subject is liable to be under-exposed or silhouetted. Most camcorders have a backlight compensation control, which opens up the iris a stop or so, but this is very much a hit and miss affair. More sophisticated (and usually dearer) camcorders offer manual control of the iris, often in half-stop increments. The effect can be monitored in the viewfinder. A few also incorporate an exposure lock which maintains the exposure setting irrespective of any reflected light changes, due, perhaps, to a bright object coming within close camera view. Variable speed shutters Don't bother unless you really want to see a sharp single-frame of a moving object. This facility is sometimes combined with exposure settings, the designer apparently thinking in terms of still photography, not video. On normal playback you may encounter picture strobing. Image stabilizer This is no substitute for a stable support, but nevertheless it helps damp down unwanted movement - in some instances at the expense of definition. Worth considering. Insert edit and Audio dub These facilities enable glitch-free alteration of a previously recorded picture without revising the sound, or vice versa. With few exceptions, picture replacement is through the lens, there being no line input. Useful for editing in camera but the serious enthusiast makes the changes on a VCR during post-production editing. Stereo Recording This is preferable to mono. The better the initial sound the superior the quality of the final edited soundtrack. Some camcorders allow manual control of sound levels,(maybe stereo only) thereby overriding the automatic gain control which pumps up, and lowers the recording volume irrespective of need. External microphone socket Even where the built-in microphone is stereo, an external one, perhaps mono,is frequently necessary. See Location Sound. Headphone socket Unless sound is monitored through headphones you can never be certain that it is satisfactory, or that an external mic. is switched on. This feature is therefore a necessity, unless you have some other means of listening, perhaps via an audio out socket. Built-in titlers Most are crude so test. Better titlers are available as post-production equipment. Shopping and testing Before shopping around examine published equipment reports and, where possible, discuss with knowledgeable friends. (A video club may advise) Take an appropriate format tape (and your friend) with you when shopping and ask if you may test the potential purchase with interior and exterior shots. Should you encounter resistance to the latter request ask the assistant to shoot under your instructions. During shooting describe the nature of the test, make sure that the important controls are easily accessible without probable camera shake and that the camcorder feels right. Avoid being pressurised. Instead take the tape home, play it, and only purchase if you are entirely satisfied with the results. If unsatisfied first ensure that the fault isn't in your equipment. A final warning Go to a reputable and knowledgeable dealer, who will probably give better after-sales service. The cheapest deal is not necessarily a bargain, the camcorder might be a grey import, leading to possible problems should a fault develop.

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