What is the difference between video formats?

Question

I want to purchase a cam corder (most likely Sony or Panasonic) but I do not quite undestand the difference betwenn Hi8, Video8, Digital8, MiniDV, DVDcam, HDD, and so on. Which are the latest formats (I think it is the HDD and the DVD).
Besides please give me your opinion on some good one to buy. I want it for my proffesional use as a dentist (to film clinical procedures) which means it must have MACRO and for lesure... Desired characteristics are image stabilizer, night view, incorporated light and possibility of connecting external light.

Answer 1

i think what you mean is MEDIA type.....
Well the hi8/video8/digital8 is the 8mm kind of tape (narrower than the vhsc) can record 2hrs of good video. then the miniDV is also a tape but comes only in digital format that records only an hour of video but makes far better recording than its predecessors. Then came the Dvd and hdd types. Both are digital and has its own pros and cons. Dvd type is great for people who are 'on the go' type; but sad to say limited to 1hour(max; lowered resolution) of recording. only the hdd type gives you the flexibility of doing just about anything; and it's the only one that can shoot for a long period of time without stopping(37hrs straight with just 30gig; imagine what a 60gig could do!).
Best to go for (without budget restrictions) is the High Definition camcorder with HDD (rather than the dvd one). All your desired specs and features are there with more extras. Did i mentioned uploading to the computer is really superfast? and you can also burn directly into a dvd w/o a pc? just a few of the cool features.
HDD cons: the battery doesn't last as long as the recording hehe.

go get either a sony or a jvc.
enjoy your cam!

Answer 2

Hi8 is analog with higher resolution
Video8 is the original 8mm format (Analog)
Digital8 is a digital version of above.

Basically, digital version converts the video signal into digital information first then writes it to the tape. Analog version writes the signal directly to the tape. The difference is, when you make a copy, digital version does not degrade at all, but analog one is pertty much distroyed after few generations of copies.

DV and miniDVs are very small tapes and is most common at the moment.

I don't know about HDD but DVD version does not use tapes. It writes directly to the DVD disk.

I don't know what your budget is, but if you can afford it, I'd recommend get at least an Digital kind. That means, no VHS or VHS-C, Hi8 or Video8.

I don't like tape kind as more than once, I had an issue of moisture developing inside and tape sticking to the head, which caused tape to jam and destroyed the tape. (and the content)

I am waiting for the kind that records to memory chip to become affordable. We are almost there now.

In the mean time, perhaps the best one to buy is DVD type.

If you are a dentist and are going to use it professionally, you might want to invest in a pen camera so that you can film your patients teeth more comfortably with it, rather than using a regular video cameras.

With it hooked up to a regular VCR, you can tape INSIDE of patients mouth.

Answer 3

Go for MiniDV for the best pic quality and the ability to edit easily. DVD/Hard disk-based camcorders is easier to use, as u dont need to rewind or fastforward to get to a spicific scene, but quality still isnt as good as even D8 sometimes bcos of the compression. All new camcorders have stabilizer, optical stabiliser is always better than electronic. Make sure the camcorder has an accessories shoe so u can hook up a video light (preferably with its own battery) or an external mic (but make sure the camera has an audio-in jack) For macro recording, u can find a macro adapter for that purpose, which u have to buy separately, there r also wide-angle adapter and zoom adapter.
Not many cams have a nightview (infrared) but some Hi8/D8 cameras still have this function. Get a good cam with a big chip (1/3 inch CCD is the best) for a better low light recording.
So far, MiniDV is still the golden media thats cheap and easy to use, but it needs to be taken good care of, like store in a dry box (u can find a good dry box in any good camera shop) so it can lasts longer. So far, my 3 year old tapes can still be played with no prob, and no quality loss. DV format is also easy to edit, even on a decent computer with only a Window Movie Maker or a Mac with an iMovie (13Gigabyte for an hour of video).
If u have deep pockets and u want the pic to look crystal clear on your 42 inch Plasma, get a Hi Definition (HD/HDV) camcorder that records to a MiniDV (like 4 example Sony HC3) but u need a faster computer and a way bigger hard disk to edit the footage. Hi-Def is a new format thats still on its infancy but catching up pretty quickly.

Answer 4

i've seem most of the questions have been answered excpt not too clear on hdd n dvd.
thus the detail is as follow:

hdd=a camcorder without any removable media.
dvd=a camcorder that writes informations on a smaller dvd disc.

to record on tape has the advantage of fast moving video.
as for dvd ..it does not work as good.
hope the answer will help.

Answer 5

Those arent formats, they are types of cd's and tapes