Other than opinions, what are the advantages of CCD or CMOS Sensors in video cameras?

Question

Ive found that you could ask 20 ppl a question, and come up with 20 different opinions on what MUST be done, so Im hoping for some logisitical answers as well :) thank ya folks

Answer 1

The imaging chips are the retina of the camcorder.

Whether CCD or CMOS, they both have the same function. The trick (in my opinion) is to get the largest total area avaiable (what you can afford). The larger the area, the better off the imaging will be.

Are "3CCDs" necessary? Probably about as much as 3 CMOS. The larger area (regardless of the technology) combined with the size (diameter) of the camera lens (bigger is better) means more light can be brought in.

Charge Coupled Devices

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge-coup...

have been around for a while.

3CCD technology is good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-CCD

CMOS is newer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cmos

and uses less power - which increases battery life.

3CMOS camcorders work fine. My next camera is expected to be a Sony HVR-V1U.(3CMOS). I currently use a Sony HDR-HC1 (1 CMOS). I plan to keep and use the HC1 with the V1U.

I have also used the Panasonic DVX100B and HDX200. Both are 3 CCD cams. I like them both.

If you are shooting with multiple cameras, it is best to use all the same camera model... and when you can't use the same model, white balance against the same card, under the same lighting conditions and do what you can to ensure that the cameras all look the same, most "normal" people won't know if you shot with 1 CCD, 1 CMOS, 3CCD or 3 CMOS. And they won't care, either.

Answer 2

CMOS and MOS is trademarks of RCA. RCA is the inventor of the device we generically call CCD. RCA initially called the device the MOS imager.  Use of the tradenames CMOS and MOS were transfered to companies that got licenses from RCA - Ampex, Panasonic and JVC were first. Sony got their license through Ampex as part of a cross license agreement for Betacam.

So call the imager MOS, CMOS or CCD it is exactly the same. A CMOS imager has legal lineage to RCA, but since they have been out of the imaging research business for 20 years, that doesn't mean much.