Basically anything MiniDV based. There are two basic kinds of DVCs (Digital Video Cameras) in the consumer world. Single CCD cameras and 3 CCD cameras. Almost every MiniDV camera on the stores shelves is a single CCD camera. Canon XL1, GL1, GL2, Sony VX2000, 900, 950, etc are 3 CCD cameras.

What's the difference? Basically it comes down to image information. A 3CCD camera will capture more color information becasue it has one CCD (Image sensor chip) for each of the three colors (Red, Green, Blue) where a single CCD has only one sensor for all three colors. A CCD cannot "read" color, it can only sense the brightness of the light striking it, but picks up the color via a color filter applied to it. A 3 CCD camera does not make a sharper or clearer picture. It is only designed to capture color more evenly and accurately.

People cannot tell the difference. With the exception of high-end video professionals, most people cannot tell if the video was shot 1CCD or 3. All the video I've put out has been shot on a sub-$1000 single CCD Sony handycam. I get lots of emails and PMs asking if I used a 3 CCD because the color is so rich, etc. A lot of the final product has to do with the software/hardware used in post production (the editing system used to edit and output the final video stream).

So, in a nutshell, use basically any camera that's MiniDV and you'll be in good shape. Now, there are a lot of things that go into getting good footage itself; things like composition, white balance, light direction, etc, but as far as the hardware itself, practically any MiniDV will do. Stay away from analog cameras (Video8, VHS-C, etc) if possible as the resulting image will suffer.

 

On a sidenote, the XL1s is a great camera, but does not take any bit better of a picture than a VX2000, and with the exception of the above mentioned color information, not any better than an $800 handycam. The reason the XL is so expensive is it's ability to be upgraded to a truly specialized camera with the addition of $5000 lenses, etc. that most people will never buy unless they're in the industry.

 

NERD

 

 

buy sony

 

Yes, always buy Sony.


Borrow whatever.

 

thanks professor.... when will we be having class again? how about once a week you kick down some knowledge?..... yes,yes,yes,your wife already told us that your work load was tremendous.... so you must need a few apprentices to help ya out. J/k if you have time..... I would like to learn some of what you know. thanks Free

 

yes always buy sony...

 

 

or nikon :D

 

or Hostess, they have an outlet store on Groesbeck and 15mile

 

Jay.... when is the next videography lesson?

 

Right now.

When shooting, always remove the lenscap first.

 

I already learned that the hard way....

 

NICE CAMERA

 

Jay I added memory to my old computer, so that I can run XP, do I need pro? and what effects the quality of the video you capture more, the computers processor or video card? how do you turn those little video capture photos into large stills? what are some good books for basic film making? I want my movies to be short and full of action like a music video! thanks.

 

home will do ya.. what speed pc ya got ?