What are the basics of a digital video camera?

If you are looking to buy a video camera, you should know that digital video cameras are slowly replacing analog video cameras, or "regular" video camera.So, what is the difference between these two types of cameras?In other words, what makes a digital camera digital?It's all in how the images are stored.In regular video cameras, the images are stored as physical representations on tape or on a monitor.The job of the video camera is essentially to translate the image in the real world into a video image and some important information can be lost during the translation.

Digital video cameras store all images in a digital format.Every feature is represented and stored as a binary code.No matter what how much you edit, or view the video the code will not be changed at all.This is a great advantage over regular video cameras, not only are the images sharper and more lifelike, they will never change over time, no matter how much you work with them.

How do digital video cameras work?Much like other video cameras, the digital video camera will store information on a tape or a disk.It might be a little surprising that in this day of age, there is still a use for good old-fashioned tape, but there is.The leading digital cameras do use tape.In fact, the most popular digital video is a MiniDV tape-based camcorder.The difference is that the information that is on the tape is a binary computer code.Tapes can hold between an hour and an hour and a half of video and they are able to record 500 lines of resolution.

Besides recording information onto tapes or disks, digital video recorders can also record onto a memory stick.This is a great feature, especially if you want to use your camera to take still pictures, or if you want to put your video on the web.Models priced at more than $1000 should come with a removable memory feature.

Like number of pixels per square inch determines the clarity of digital pictures, the number of lines of resolution determines the clarity of digital pictures.Regular television sets give about 525 lines of resolution, so getting 500 lines from a reasonably prices camcorder is a good deal.The high-end camcorders can record in high definition with 1080 lines of resolution.The problem is you will pay over $5000 for this luxury.Most people buying a camera will never need that kind of resolution.

Unlike regular video recorders, digital video cameras come with software.With the software that comes with the camera, you will not only be able to watch the videos with all of the features of a VCR or a DVD player, you will also be able to edit your videos.This allows all video users to not just record videos but to make movies.Editing includes cutting and pasting different files together but also adding sound and even animation.

Typically, the software that comes with the camera will be pretty basic.As you get more familiar with using the camera and the different features, you may want to upgrade to more advanced software.There are plenty of options when it comes to software.Read the user reports on the different types of software if you are ordering on line and try to find software that not only does that tasks you need it to do but will also be easy to use.Programs like Pinnacle offer click and drag features that are familiar to most people with some computer experience.