Digital camcorder?

Question

I was looking into the digital camcorders. They seem to range, for the most part between 8gb - 40 gb (at least the ones i was looking at do).

Most have the ability to expand the memory via SD cards etc.

The one vital bit of information I am having trouble finding is how long can i record on the camcorder before it is full. None of the camcorders i have looked at list a length of time that you can record for.

Is there a set ration of min/GB or does it vary depending on the manufacturer?

Answer 1

Hello, it does not depend on manufacturer as much as on the preset/quality you set for recording AND on the recording format. So they cannot give you the length - it depends on your setting.

If it records directly in mpeg2 compressin (DVD format) - the highest setting at 8000 Mbps gives you one hour per DVD = 4.5 GB. 6000 Mbps is about 1.5 hrs per 4.5 GB.

MiniDV AVI file (used by digital miniDV camcorders) needs 12GB for one hour in SP (=highest quality).

If the cam records in DivX format, that takes 700 MB per one hour in good quality (more for "best" quality and less for "medium" or "low")

General mpeg4 (AVI file) would take about dopuble of DivX for the same quality settings.

So, you have to find which format  it records and which quality settings you wanna use.

Have fun

Johnny