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The Magazine of Design & Technology Education
Digital Cameras: Wow!
March/April 2000 by Chuck Dolbeare page 3 of 4
Automated controls: All video cameras have some kind of automated controls. White balance, back light compensation, focus, and shutter speed can be all automatically set by the camera. These make videotaping much easier. However, some automated controls deplete battery power, autofocus in particular.

Gross pixel count: Measures the density of pixels in the recorded image. Best to have as many as possible.

Analog and DV Audio: DV Cameras feature audio that can convert analog to digital audio. Most DV equipment records in analog (pulse code modulation or PCM) sound. Analog PCM sounds good and uses less space on videotape, so there is more space for image. Be sure you understand how PCM audio is converted to digital for editing on your computer. If your camera does not have a built-in D/A converter, you will need to install one as you upgrade your computer's editing capabilities.

Playback: You still need to use the camera unit to play back on your TV or monitor, just as you do with Hi-8, 8mm and C-VHS.

If there is money available, get a DV camera that has a FireWire connector. Then of course you'll need a computer with FireWire and editing software, or get it all in a box (Casablanca, Applied Magic, some versions of iMac). The quality and simplicity of operation will pay off. There is a digital train coming; hop on, or it will pass you by. Keep those e-mails coming in, and remember-only you can prevent dead batteries.

Chuck Dolbeare (Video Chuck)

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