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Digital Camcorder FormatsThe lastest models of digital camcorders (having moved away from the analog world of Hi8 or SVHS tapes) record and store information in a variety of formats. Each format requires its own special media to record on, whether a tiny tape or a mini DVD. The most popular format for digital camcorders is MiniDV, and it will likely remain the leader for some time, at least until the move is made to solid state storage (flash memory) when the lowly tape is finally made extinct, as occured long ago in the audio world.
What is MiniDV and Micro MV?MiniDV is a format that uses tiny tape cassettes, storing DV-format video in digital form. They are 2"x2.7" in size and look like an older cassette tape. They cost about $5 bucks for a 60 minute tape. They can record up to 500 lines of resolution. Some come with a small chip built in that allows you to store information on each scene and index your video for easy access and editing. Sony has also created a proprietary format called MicroMV, which is actually smaller than MiniDV, which records in an MPEG-2 format instead of DV format. These tiny digital tapes allow for smaller camcorders - a passion of Sony's of course! These tapes cost more than MiniDV and the MPEG-2 format is not supported by all digital video software editing programs, so check for compatibility before you buy.Digital Camcorders: Mini DVD-R and DVD RAMThe other 2 digital video storage and recording formats are Mini DVD-R and DVD RAM, which use tiny 3 inch discs instead of videotape. DVD-R discs can only be recorded to once, although they can be popped into your home DVD players (after being formatted and locked) using an adapted and watch instantly on your TV, which makes them easier to use than digital video tapes. The DVD-RAM discs can be rewritten and used again and again but they are more costly and not compatible with some home DVD players.
Again, going forward, it is likely that most camcorders will move away from tapes and begin storing and recording digital video straight to miniature hard drives or flash memory, especially as digital video editing becomes more and more commonplace on PCs. Video clips will be moved around, shared, and stored just like MP3 music files are now. Imagine a digital camcorder the size of an iPod able to store 10 or more hours of video? Sure beats lugging around a bunch of video tapes!
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