Digital Video Camera

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Digital Video Camera

• Group Audio/Visual Project
• LIBR 180 Spring 2003
• Ralph Huntzinger
• Cheryl Lulendo
• Jayne Ahrens
• Charu Saini
• Jodi Walker

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History Digital Camera TimelineBeginning 1995
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Through 2003
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Link to Digital Camera Timeline

• http//inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?
  sitehttp//www.dpreview.com/reviews/
• http//www.digicamhistory.com

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The Mechanics of the Camera
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TechnologyDigital VS. Analog

• The analog video camera "sees" light and "hears"
  sound waves, then converts the waves' variations
  into electrical signals representing light and
  dark, silence and sound. Electrical interference
  can distort the sound and light information as it
  moves through the camera.
• Analog information "fades" with each copy -- the
  copying process doesn't reproduce the original
  signal exactly.
• Digital is precise. It translates analog
  information into bytes of data thats written in
  the binary language of ones and zeros. There are
  no variations or in-betweens with ones or zeros
  like with analog waves.
• Unless the camera makes a computational error,
  there's no place for signal degradation.
• Digital video data can be loaded onto computers,
  edited, copied, e-mailed and manipulated. Digital
  cameras can be directly connected to a computer
  to download videos for editing or Internet use.

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Basic Elements of CameraThe lens, the camera
itself and the viewfinder
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The Imaging DeviceThe video camera translates
the image seen through the lens into a picture on
the screen. Light reflected off an object is
transmitted by the lens to a beam splitter,
splitting the white light into red, green and
blue light beams. These beams are transformed by
CCDs (a charge coupled device or chip) into
electric energy, which is amplified, processed
and reconverted into video pictures by the
viewfinder.
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The Prism Block

• The prism block contains the prisms and filters
  that split the incoming light images produced by
  the lens into the three light primaries (blue,
  red, green) directing them to their corresponding
  CCDs.

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The Charged-Couple Device or Chip

• The CCD is the imaging device or pickup device
  inside the camera that changes light into
  electric energy.
• Its a small solid-state silicon chip containing
  rows of thousands of light sensing picture
  elements called pixels.
• Each pixel translates the light energy it
  receives into an electric charge.

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Pixels

• Pixels are a lot like tiles in a mosaic. The more
  pixels in a picture area the sharper the image.
• The more pixels in a CCD, the sharper the screen
  image. A high-resolution chip has a lot of pixels
  and produces a sharper image.
• Think of laying two tile floors, one with large
  tiles and one with small. The one with small
  tiles will have sharper curves and more detail.

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This is not a pixel
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The Lens Autofocus Mechanism

• When recording a video you need to focus light
  onto the CCD, using a lens.
• Digital camcorders come with an autofocus, an
  infrared beam that bounces off objects in the
  center of the frame, then come back to a sensor
  on the camera.
• The camera has a small motor that moves the lens,
  focusing it on objects.
• The camera automatically adjusts for different
  levels of light.
• The CCD detects when an image is over or
  underexposed because there isn't much variation
  in the electrical charges. It monitors the
  charges and adjusts the camera's lens to let more
  or less light through, maintaining a good
  contrast between dark and light.

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Formats Film VS. Video

• Film records visual information with chemical
  reactions.
• Video records and stores visual information as an
  electronic signal.
• Film and video have different technical
  properties.
• Filmed movies need to be reorganized into a video
  format before the movie can be shown on a
  television.

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Video Recording

• MiniDV are lightweight, compact cameras. They
  record on compact cassettes, which hold 60 to 90
  minutes of footage. The video has a high
  resolution, giving a sharper image and can easily
  be transferred to a personal computer.
• Digital8 cameras are similar to DV camcorders,
  but use standard Hi-8mm tapes, which hold up to
  60 minutes of footage. The videos can be copied
  without any loss in quality. Digital8 cameras a
  bit larger than DV camcorders.
• DVD camcorders burn video information directly
  onto discs. Each recording session is recorded as
  an individual track, like individual songs on a
  CD. You dont need to rewind or fast-foward and
  can jump immediately to each section of the
  video.

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Digital Camera Purchase

• Costs
• Features
• Brand Comparisons

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About Digital Video Cameras

• One in seven Americans
• Digital camera sales have risen by 30 in 2003
  from 2002
• No film necessary
• 40 to 60 more photographs than conventional
  cameras
• Images stored in camera or on computer
• Software to improve pictures

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Pre-Purchase Considerations

• Size, weight and feel of the camera
• How comfortable is it to use?
• Methods of taking excellent pictures
• Preventing ruined pictures

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General Features

• Resolution
• Viewfinder and Display
• Focus
• Picture Storage
• Batteries

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Additional Features

• Interface
• Video-Output
• Zoom
• Macro Mode

• Ergonomics
• Compatibility
• Software

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Advanced Features

• Time Lag
• Burst Mode
• Sensitivity
• Manual Controls
• Exposure Compensation
• Self-Timer
• External Flash

• Annotation
• Lenses and Effects
• Image Effects
• Time Lapse and Video
• Laptop PC Card Adapter
• Tripod

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Whats Available?

• Kodak, Nikon, Olympus and Sony
• Agfa, Canon, Casio, Contax, Epson, Fujifilm, HP
  (Hewlett Packard), JVC, Konica, Kyocera, Lieca,
  Minolta, Panasonic, Pentax, Ricoh, Samsung,
  Sanyon, Sigma and Toshiba

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Comparisons

• Performance Differences
• Pixels
• Image-handling software
• Price
• The price range for cameras is arranged by the
  number of megapixels and is arranged from
  excellent camera to the poorest camera.

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Useful Web Sites

• http//www.mysimon.com
• http//macworld.pricegrabber.com
• http//osdn.pricegrabber.com
• http//www.pricescan.com
• http//shopper.cnet.com
• http//www.consumerreports.org

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Stores, Catalogs Magazines

• Kits Camera, Good Guys, Kens Camera, Talls
  Camera, Best Buys, Camera West and Comp USA.
• Mac Mall, PC Mall, Crutchfield
• Popular Photography, Consumer Reports (November
  2002)

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What kind of photographer are you - casual
snap-shooter or advanced amateur?
Recommendations

• Choose a camera that is based on the kind of
  photographer you are
• Best model is the 2 megapixel
• The 1 megapixel is fine for some things
• The 3 megapixel only gives you a certain amount
  of breathing room
• The 4-6 megapixels models for professionals and
  people with lots of money

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Using Digital Video Technology in a Public
Library
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Reasons to make a Public Library Video
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A training tool for employees

• Policies
• Operation of Equipment
• Procedures
• Location of Facilities
• Safety

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An educational tool for patronsCould run on a
continuous video loop

• Library Schedules
• Areas of Interest
• Circulation Procedures
• Reference Assistance
• Public Facilities
• Public Service Announcements

• Childrens Summer Programs
• School year homework tutorials
• Upcoming Community Events
• Community Job Fairs

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An educational tool for patrons,continued

• Library featured Authors of the Month
• Monthly Graphic Artists Display, such as Monet
  Day, Bergsma Art Collections, etc.
• Community Theater Productions
• Local Business closures or openings
• Flea Markets
• Local School Events
• Community Fairs

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Think of your community

• Once word is out that the communitys Public
  Library has presentation technology available,
  any organization could feature their video wares,
  such as the local Historical Society, National
  Audubon Chapter, Quilt Guild, Flower Clubs, or
  any Non-Profit Organization.
• What a wonderful service to provide!

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Videos Provide a Nice Change

• Any of these graphic display ideas, either in the
  form of movies, fade in/out, or loops could be
  narrated with additional information and/or music
  editing.
• Can you think of other potential advertising
  ideas?

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Bibliography

• Zettl, Herbert. 2001 Video Basics 3 p. 60, 66,
  color plate A Wadsworth/Thomas, Learning Belmont,
  CA