Infobase: Information You Cannot Do Without


Your source of essential videomaking fundamentals


Person using DVD camcorder on tripod

Sooner or later there'll be something you'll need to know...


The majority of today's camcorders are more than mere point 'n shoot devices, making your first choice of a suitable model all the more difficult. As you'll know if you're a regular visitor to the busy webforums on the forums of the SimplyDV Bulletin Board, many beginners are left in the cold when being confronted with matters like FireWire, USB, AV inputs and so on. And all that comes after you've tip-toed your way through the formats minefield and decided what type of camcorder you're going to buy!

So, to begin with, we've put together a set of pages that guide you on the most commonly-asked questions. We do, as it happens, attempt to answer them in a simple, no-nonsense, manner - but if you still find yourself in the dark then please tell us. Either that, or get yourself over to the forums pretty sharpish!

Here's a selection of articles designed to give you some background to common things we talk about in the camcorder world:

Where do I start?


So you have a need to dash out and buy a brand, spanking, new model this minute but haven't a clue what's what? OK. Before you splash the cash on the first impressive-looking model that takes the salesman's fancy, stop and think about what you need and how you'll use it. In other words, read this first. More...

Which camcorder format?


At one time not so long ago, there was only one consumer digital video format and that was DV (also referred to as MiniDV), but now there's a whole bunch of recording formats that includes Digital-8, DVD, MICROMV, HDD, CARDCAMS, HDV, DVCAM and so on and so forth. Here's a beginner's guide to camcorder formats. More...

High Definition


That's all we seem to hear about these days. And it's not just HD television displays that are the latest must-have consumer commodity - HD camcorders are now well-established, too. But before you rush out and commit lots of your hard-earned cash to new technology, take a moment to reflect on what it all means. More...

About FireWire


All consumer digital camcorders that record to tape have a simple means of connecting up to computers and other digital recorders, DVD recorders - and even other camcorders - that's commonly called FireWire. Your camcorder might not mention FireWire, preferring instead to call it i.Link or IEEE1394 instead. It's all the same, though. Here's some background info to guide you through the FireWire maze. More...

About SCART


People living outside of Europe won't know what this is, but the AV connector that's almost standard on all analogue video and TV equipment can cause some confusion when it comes to connecting up bits of gear - not least your camcorder. This article explains what it's all about. More...

AV and DV inputs on camcorders


By far the most common use of a camcorder is to use it as a camcorder. Not really surprising, of course, but many people don't understand that it can probably be used as a digital video recorder as well. That means that you can connect up a VHS player, another camcorder or even the output of a TV and record it to the tape in the camcorder! If your camcorder has an AV-input, you can do this too! Having a DV input gives you the ability to save your edited movies (in a computer) back to tape in the camcorder via FireWire. Good eh? More...

Techniques


Image of buds on a branch, soft focus background
As part of a series of articles covering basic techniques, here's an introductory set of features written by SimplyDV's Colin Barrett and drawn from the many articles written for UK video-making magazines and also from the text of his books - Digital Video for Beginners (Ilex Press, March 2005) and Need To Know : Digital Video (Harper Collins, 2006).

The following selection of articles contain some down-to-earth information, hints and tips aimed specifically at the complete digital video newbie, though we hope they'll be considered helpful by some of the more experienced camcorder users, too!

Cameracraft 1: Sharp Shooting


Introducing basic camera techniques; taking control manually, thinking about what you're trying to shoot, supporting the camcorder properly. More...

Cameracraft 2: Balancing Act


Considering a few of the rules of composition that haven't changed since the beginning of cinema; composing shots and basic storyboards; thinking about sequences. More...

Cameracraft 3: Lighten Up


An introduction to some very simple lighting techniques; making use of natural light, adding artificial light, white balance and colour temperature explained. More...

Cameracraft 4: Sounds Good


Sound is as important as the pictures in every video; tips on getting better sound; use of external mics, connecting to your camcorder, monitoring what you're recording. More...