| Cool features to look for | Direct upload to Web; flip-out LCD; software stored in-camera Which media type should I choose?There are several formats available in the world of digital consumer camcorders. In general, each type of cassette or disc is made to record video using a particular standard. For example, MiniDV cassettes record video using the popular DV standard or high-definition HDV, while some discs save MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 video. The type of format used influences the design and the feature set of the camera, in addition to affecting what you can do with the video once it's shot. Many camcorders use a flash memory card in addition to the main recording media to save still shots and Web-quality video clips.
Recording media: Memory cards (SDHC, Memory Stick) | Built-in hard drive | Tape | Solid State Drive (SSD) | Mini DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM, and Blu-ray Disc | Other  SD card Cameras use these types of memory to achieve an ultracompact design. You have to make sure the card can write quickly enough to match the video recording speed; generally, Class 6 SDHC cards and Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo cards are up to the task.
Best for: Social, vacation, budget, trendsetter, business.
| ADVANTAGES |
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| Allows for very compact camcorders | | Easy searching and random access to video segments | | Most durable recording format | | Both video and still images are recorded on disc (instead of on a cassette and a memory card) | | DISADVANTAGES |
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| Relatively short recording times | | Video is highly compressed | Supporting manufacturers: All
 Hitachi Microdrive With camcorders that use built-in hard drives, you can record high-quality high definition or standard definition footage.
Best for: Social, vacation, budget, trendsetter, business.
| ADVANTAGES |
|---|
| Relatively compact camcorder designs | | Easy searching and random access to video segments | | Longest recording times | | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|
| Need for separate hard drive or DVD burning for archiving | | Though manufacturers incorporate shock protection, hard disks aren't as durable as solid-state media | Supporting manufacturers: Canon; JVC; Panasonic; Sony.
 MiniDV cassette Though clearly waning in popularity as a recording medium--Panasonic no longer makes tape-based consumer camcorders, for example--tape isn't quite dead yet. The predominant consumer tape format is MiniDV; consumer and semipro camcorders that capture high-definition footage record HDV-format video on MiniDV cassettes. You may see tapes on the market that look like MiniDV tapes but that bear the HDV logo. These are simply MiniDV tapes that generally use special metal-infused coatings designed to handle the more densely packed HDV data. In truth, most premium-quality tapes should be fine.
Best for: Independent filmmaker; business videographer.
| ADVANTAGES |
|---|
| Fewer compatibility problems than tapeless solutions | | Still a cheap, convenient archiving medium | | Requires the least compression to capture a given duration of video | | DISADVANTAGES |
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| Requires time-consuming downloading for editing | | Dying format means fewer camcorders available | Supporting manufacturers: Canon; JVC; Samsung; Sony.
An alternative to hard drives, albeit at lower capacities, to a camcorder user SSDs are indistinguishable from built-in flash memory.
Best for: Trendsetter.
| ADVANTAGES |
|---|
| Most durable recording format | | Allows for very compact camcorders | | Easy searching and random access to video segments | | DISADVANTAGES |
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| A bit more expensive than flash | | Low capacities | Supporting manufacturers: Samsung.
Standard definition Mini-DVD camcorders record MPEG-2 footage directly to a mini DVD-R or DVD-RAM; High definition camcorders record AVCHD. Though these have had a brief bout of popularity, they are being replaced by flash and hard disk drive formats.
Best for: Business videographer
| ADVANTAGES |
|---|
| With some exceptions, can usually be played in home players | | Easy searching and random access to video segments | | Convenient and stable format for archiving | | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|
| Relatively short recording times at highest-quality modes and unpredictable recording times with variable bit rate | | Relatively expensive discs | | Less reliable for live recording; a single bad bit can render an entire disc of video unrecognizable | Supporting manufacturers: Canon; Hitachi; Panasonic; Sony.
There are some high-end proprietary media as well, such as Panasonic's P2 (RAID arrays of flash media inside a PC Card) and Sony's XDCAM HD (optical). P2 makes it possible to use flash media with Panasonic's pro camcorders, and the array configuration ostensibly provides the extra write speed necessary for downloading uncompressed HD footage; it currently supports 800 megabits per second burst transfer rate and a maximum capacity of 64GB. It's also very expensive, which is why it's still mostly the province of pros, even though the camcorders that support it are favorites among the indie crowd. XDCAM is really intended to be part of a broadcast work flow.Connections As you move up the camcorder food chain, models offer increased connections for input, output, and accessories. Many compact models offload some connectors to a dock, so if you plan to connect to a friend's TV or want to offload video while traveling, make sure the connectors you need are on the camcorder and won't be sitting on your desk at home.
| Video playback | | Composite | Standard definition; lowest-quality connection | | S-Video | Standard definition; higher quality than composite. If you want to dub video from an old VHS or Digital8 camcorder to a MiniDV, you need an S-Video connector that supports both input and output. | | Component | High definition; high quality. Manufacturers frequently bundle component cables with HD camcorders because they're analog and cheaper than the more compact but smarter HDMI cables. | | HDMI/mini HDMI | High definition; high quality. If you record xvYCC video you must play it back over HDMI. | | Audio input and output | | Headphone jack | Essential for recording in noisy environments when you need to know what the microphone is picking up. | | Microphone minijack | For replacing the oncamera microphone, usually when you need higher quality or a more directional pickup. | | XLR connector | Generally found on professional camcorders. A larger, but better designed connector for a more noise-free mic pickup. | | Download | | USB | All tapeless camcorders connect via USB and mount as a storage device when connected to a PC or Mac so that you can easily copy the files. You can also download video from some tape-based devices via USB if the software supports it. | | FireWire | Many tape-based devices use FireWire connections for video download. | | Accessories and control | | Accessory shoe | These tend to be proprietary to each manufacturer, and are primarily useful for adding video lights and microphones. | | LANC connector (aka Control-L) | Local Application Control Bus System; on higher-end and pro models. Unlike wireless remotes, wired LANC remotes allow for tripod-based control (such as zoom controls on the tripod handle). | |
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