Video
Formats: VHS, 8mm, Digital or DVD?
by Betsy Razza, Druid Hills High School
VHS camcorders are no longer being sold and we have to make
decisions about what to buy for our Media Centers. For a while,
it looked like 8mm camcorders were going to be the new format.
The tapes were much smaller which enabled the camcorders to be
smaller as well. For now, the market seems to have settled on
digital camcorders that use mini DV tapes. A few companies, though,
are selling camcorders that record onto mini DVD. Unfortunately
all these formats have their limitations.
The advantages of digital camcorders are obvious. They produce
much higher quality video because the picture resolution has more
lines than VHS. The small size of the camcorders is also popular
and they are more compatible with computers than VHS. The price
of the mini DV tapes has also shown a trend of dropping in price
since they came on the market and can now be purchased for about
$4 or $5 a piece. That is still an expensive price for tapes when
compared to VHS, but we can hope that the price will continue
to go down.
The problems with digital camcorders soon become evident. The
small DV camcorders that most schools are purchasing are vulnerable
to breaking down easily as they were designed for the home market,
not for the school market. Playback VCRs for the mini DV tapes
are almost nonexistent. The few made by companies such as JVC
and Panasonic cost $800 and up. Since consumers can not purchase
movies on mini DV tapes the way they can on VHS format or DVDs,
the likelihood of mini DV VCRs taking hold on the market place
is highly unlikely. Therefore, the price for these units will
probably not come down to an affordable level for schools. The
tapes can be played back through the camcorder by using them as
a VCR, but this is not considered good practice in terms of wear
and tear on the camcorder heads. The different brands of DV tapes
are also problematic. The lubricant or coatings on these tapes
may vary according to brands causing “drop outs” if
brands are used interchangeably. This means that whatever brand
tape we begin with has to become our permanent brand. Teachers
that go out and buy their own mini DV tapes may purchase an incompatible
brand damaging the heads on our digital camcorders. The tapes
are also shorter than VHS, usually lasting only 60 minutes. Longer
lasting tapes that run for 80 minutes can be purchased, but the
price for these tapes is almost double that of the 60-minute tapes,
making them expensive for schools.
Few companies are offering camcorders that record onto DVDs,
although this might be a promising solution to the issue of format
for video footage. On the surface, this would seem to be the technology
solution to all our problems. While this format seems promising,
the technology is just not where it needs to be yet. One can only
shoot about 30 minutes of footage with these models. Once the
footage is shot, you have to wait while the footage is transferred
from the camcorder’s memory onto a mini DVD. While this
is happening, the camcorder can not be used. Few companies are
embracing this format yet because of the technology problems.
Wide acceptance of a format in the market place is about the
only yardstick that we have for knowing what to purchase in this
time of change, and even then we have to look for products that
can take wear and tear in the a school setting. This is our challenge
right now as media specialists, but this is also presenting us
with an opportunity. The fast changes in technology have presented
us with a chance to move our profession ahead in the eyes of our
faculty and administrators by demonstrating our knowledge of technology
and the changes in the marketplace.
What to Buy:
An industrial model digital camcorder that can
stand up to the abuse that it will receive in a school setting.
This will be more expensive than most models that are made for
the home market, but more durable in the long run if the budget
permits. Panasonic makes an industrial model, model AGDVC7 which
is suited for a school setting.
One brand of mini DV tapes only. Different brands
of tapes use different lubricants and coatings on their tapes.
One brand may be incompatible with another brand. Mixing brands
may cause damage to the heads on the camcorders. Be especially
aware of the problem of using Sony brand DV tapes with other brands.
They seem to be the most incompatible brand of mini DV tapes on
the market with other brands.
Digital camcorders with external microphone inputs.
The built-in microphone on camcorders is insufficient for good
sound quality.
An XLR to mini plug microphone cord for plugging
in an external microphone for interviews.
A good directional microphone that mounts onto
the camcorder and will override the built in microphone that comes
with any camcorder.