An Introduction to The Video Camera

1
An Introduction to The Video Camera
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2
How Things Have ChangedIn 1960 this is what
you would need to do what a camcorder can do now

• A 200 pound camera
• A video tape recorder the size of a car
• A room full of electronic equipment

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3
Today

• Most video cameras are designed so you can start
  filming immediately
• To avoid damaging the equipment you need to read
  the manual
• Find out where to plug things in by reading the
  manual

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4
Basics You Need to Know

• Insert the battery
• Turn the power on
• Insert a tape
• Remove the lens cap
• Press the record button

Click on each item for more information
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5
The Battery

• Most batteries are rechargeable
• Following the instructions carefully when
  inserting the battery
• Use only the specified battery
• Replacement batteries are expensive
• The power supply recharges the battery
• You can operate the camera with the power supply
• Some cameras come with an adaptor to charge the
  battery
• Some cameras come with an adaptor to allow use of
  your car battery to recharge or operate the camera

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6
Power on and Standby

• You can use the camcorder to
• Record Standby mode
• Playback VCR mode
• Slide the power button to standby mode
• The camera is ready to start recording when the
  record button is pressed
• Slide the button to VCR mode to playback the
  recorded images

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The Tape

• Use the eject button to open the tape door
• Do Not open the door manually or force the door
• Place the tape in the compartment
• Push the door carefully to close
• Do Not force the tape or the door
• Do Not leave your tape in the recorder when
  finished recording
• Click here for information on caring for your
  tapes

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8
Remove the lens cap

• Check for a picture in the viewfinder
• Move all setting to automatic
• Check for information display
• If you do not have an image or information
  display, check the battery

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9
Record

• To start filming, Push the record button
• A light should come on that confirms you are
  recording

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10
About Cassette Tapes

• Records picture and sound
• Store tapes away from direct sunlight and heat
• Do not record on the first 30 seconds of tape
• Do not open the plastic cartridge
• Learn how to protect tapes with the save tab
• Always label your tapes

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Analog vs Digital

• Analog
• Costs less
• Saves information by transfering waves to tape

• Digital
• Better quality
• Powerful features
• Edit at affordable prices
• Converts information to 1s and 0s

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Video Camera Formats

• Analog
• Hi8-good quality, 8mm metal tape
• Standard 8-good quality, 8mm tape
• S-VHS good quality, metal VHS cassettes
• VHS good quality, VHS cassettes

• Digital
• DVD-highest quality, many features, records to
  disc
• MiniDV-highest quality, 6mm tape cassettes
• Digital8-high quality, VHS type tapes

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13
How it works

1. Light focuses on the charge-coupled devised (CCD)
   chip
2. The chip converts light to a video signal

1. The signal is enhanced with electronics
2. The signal is recorded to tape
3. The tape is played back

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14
The Lens

• Gathers light rays reflected from an object and
  focuses them on the CCS chip
• For cameras with interchangeable lens, check the
  lens mount for tightness
• Keep your lens clean and free of dust
• Focus and Aperture can be set manually (most
  cameras default to automatic)
• Real glass lenses high quality images

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15
Focal Length

• The distance from the front of the lens to where
  the light rays intersect
• The distance is expressed in millimeters

FOCAL LENGTH
LENS
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Lens CharacteristicsAngle of View

• Wide-Angle 70 to 140 degrees
• Normal 35 to 70 degrees
• Telephoto 18 to 35 degrees

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The Zoommove the zoom switch for closer

• Optical
• Happens Within the lens
• Changes the focal length
• The focal length is the distance in millimeters
  from the lens to the CCD

• Digital
• Happens inside the camera
• Poor quality
• Noticeable square pixels
• Choppy images

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18
Inputs and Outputs

• Inputs
• RCA video and audio,

• Outputs
• Firewire
• A/V connect to TV or VCR
• S-Video high quality recording to VHS