What a digital video camcorder does is to take the analog details within the video clip camera and then translate it into bytes of data. Digital online video is converted from moving images to a stream of zeros and ones.

The digital video camcorder records the bytes of electronic info on one of three items, a hard disk, a DV tape cassette or a DVD. From there you have the capability to transfer the picture to your personal computer. You can then edit the movie and e-mail it to friends and family.

The digital image stabilizer is great for handheld shots because it eliminates the shakiness of the video. This however also reduces image quality by producing a pixelated, grainy-looking image.

With a digital zoom, the camcorder is merely making the image larger through the viewfinder as opposed to actually delivering a closer look. The optical zoom spec is more expedient in that respect and you’ll want at least 10X optical zoom

When the microphone is mounted on the top of the camcorder, it has the tendency to capture the voice of the person using the camcorder rather than the event being recorded. In this regard it’s better to buy a camcorder with the microphone mounted in the front.

If the camcorder you’re interested in buying has the ability to connect an external microphone, then factor in an extra $50 to $100 for an external microphone as this will give you the best sound possible.

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