Flash memory camcorder?

Question

When were flash memory camcorder introduced?

I purchased a Canon miniDV camcorder about 2 or 3 years ago. Now I see that there are built in 16GB flash memory Canon camcorder.

How are files saved? Will the files work like tapes? I mean, if I record something, rewind and push record. How will flash memory handle the files? It seems more confusing than using tapes. Also, with tapes, you can record stuff and remove the tape and put in a new tape. With flash, you have to unload the files on the computer and if I want full quality videos, I'm going to have to invest in hard drives. Also if the hard drive fails, I lose my videos.

WI

Answer 1

Flash memory camcorders started coming out a couple of years ago. Files are saved in very highly compressed MPEG2 (standard definition) or AVCHD (high definition) formats. Be advised that your miniDV tape based camcorder continues to provide you the best available video quality because DV (and HDV) compress the least of all the available consumer camcorder storage methods.

The files sort of work like tapes, but they are data files - and are more like the different files stored on your computer. If you don't want a particular clip, delete it. That would be the equivalent of recording over a clip on miniDV tape - though as cheap as tape is, I don't bother - just keep recording and delete the unwanted file after transferring to your computer when editing.

The less expensive flash camcorders do not have removable memory - for those that can remove memory, when a memory card fills, take the card out, put in another card, start shooting. Same with tape - when the tape fills, take it out and put in another tape.

Currently, with the cost of tape being low and flash memory still being more expensive on a $ per gig basis AND that the video quality is so much less than miniDV tape and miniDV tape has a known, good, long shelf life for archiving (flash memory archive life is unknown at the moment), miniDV tape continues to be the best option available.

You are correct on the hard drive failures - but there are recovery services available (like DriveSavers) for recovery if needed. Yes, they cost $.