16:9 Aspect Ratio

16:9 aspect ratio is a term used to refer to the length and width of a picture. The numbers 16:9 are characterized as "widescreen." Many camcorders include a widescreen aspect ratio that creates a cinema-like look. To display a video in true widescreen format, your TV must also have a 16:9 aspect ratio. If not, the video would then be too wide for your screen, so it will appear with black bars on the top and bottom.

Analog-to-Digital Pass-Through

Most camcorders are capable to perform an analog-to-digital pass-through, but not all do - and some may be falsely advertised as having this ability. Analog-to-digital pass-through allows you to convert analog Hi8, 8mm and VHS tapes to digital. Just hook up the analog footage via your camcorder's composite or S-video inputs, and then attach a FireWire (also known as i.LINK or IEEE 1394) cable between your camcorder and computer. Once everything is hooked up, hit play on your analog source. With standard video capture and editing software, you can turn your old home movies into digital blockbusters.

Digital Special Effects

Digital special effects add professional and artistic flair to your video. They vary with each model, though the list of creative possibilities seems to be endless. Consider the following features to light up your creative spark.

• Mosaic: turns your scene into a mosaic piece of art by breaking it up into little squares
• Dissolve: dissolves one scene and another appears with a timed length in between
• Wipes: wipes one piece of video away to reveal another for an eye-catching display
• Fade-in/fade-out: fade in and out of any scene, or object, creating a dramatic tone to your footage
• Titler: titles your video with special phrases or lets you write your own for a personal touch
• Sepia: shades your video with a brown coloring for a faded look
• Black and white: recreates the classic-movie look
• Mirror: doubles your subject, creating a mirror-image of your subject

Digital Still Images

Most camcorders do more than just shoot video; they also shoot still shots which record onto memory cards. Snapshot or photo modes are able to capture digital still images at up to 4MP (megapixels). Even though the resolution on a camcorder is generally lower than a digital camera, the convenience of having both capabilities is valuable.

• Camcorders with a greater amount of megapixels will produce sharper, richer photos and better overall picture quality

Focus

Most camcorders have automatic and manual focus options. Auto focus or the touch-panel LCD focus settings conveniently focus what you're shooting, and generally provide quality results. If having more precise control is important to you, consider a camcorder with a manual focus ring. Its fluid, natural motion is easy to operate, so you can dial in crisp and clear photographic detail. Lower-end models will have either a jog dial or manual focus button which serve the same purpose, though the focus ring provides you with greater control.

Night or Low-Light Recording

Unforgettable moments don't only happen during the day. Some of life's greatest incidents occur at night. A camcorder with infrared light enables you to record film at night. The quality will not be as good as during the day, but it will be good enough to enjoy for years to come. When recording in low-light conditions or trying to remove shadows, the LED light provides the proper amount of illumination for quality results.

• Infrared light is unable to be seen by people or animals, so it will not be a distraction when shooting your film
• LED light lessens the drain on your batteries for lasting operation

Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes

Program AE modes make capturing video in challenging situations a cinch. All you have to do is select the mode that best suits your situation and the camcorder registers the preset shutter speed and exposure settings for optimal results. Some examples of program AE modes are Spotlight, Portrait, Sports, Beach & Ski, Sunset & Moon and Landscape. Whether you're a first-time or an advanced user, program AE modes can make capturing quality video easier and less time consuming.

• Program AE modes take the guesswork out of selecting shutter speed and exposure settings for maximum performance

Recording Times

There are 3 video recording times: HQ (High Quality), SP (Standard Play) and LP (Long Play). Depending upon your preference, you can select the most appropriate recording time. For recording on a single-sided disc, consider the following approximate times:

• HQ: records up to 20 minutes
• SP: records up to 30 minutes
• LP: records up to 60 minutes

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is how fast the camcorder's shutter opens or rotates. When the shutter opens, a certain amount of light enters the CCD. The longer the shutter is open, the more light that enters. To compensate for light diminished in high shutter speeds, you can adjust the camcorder's exposure or aperture. Shutter speed is measured in rotations per second. Camcorders with fast shutter speeds are ideal for shooting fast-moving scenes, such as sporting events. Camcorders with slow shutter speeds are effective when filming more day-to-day activities. When the shutter speed is too slow to capture the scene properly, images will appear blurred and may contain trails.

• Camcorders with high shutter speeds, such as 1/2000, admit less light and are most effective when capturing fast-action scenes

Soft Skin Mode

Soft Skin mode is another way to make shooting quality video easier. It detects skin tones and softens detail for professional-looking results. Soft Skin mode removes attention to blemishes and wrinkles, making them less noticeable. While Soft Skin mode is in use, the resolution in non-skin areas is maintained for balanced photos.

Sound

Most camcorders are equal when it comes to sound quality - just okay. Often the built-in microphones can pick up on tape motor and handling noise, making for an unpleasant audio experience. Microphones on the front tend to produce better sound than those mounted on the top. When selecting your camcorder, consider a model that offers audio options, such as a zoom microphone, microphone-in jack, headphone-out jack and manual audio control.

• Zoom microphones work much like a zoom lens - you can get up-close to the subject for improved sound, plus the sound accompanies the zoom lens, moving in and out with the picture
• External microphones are a great way to improve the overall sound in your video
• Headphones allow you to monitor your audio and correct any problems while recording
• Manual audio control allows you to adjust the audio level and channels, which is important when filming loud or soft scenes, such as a concert