Record Duration for DVD digital camcorder?

Question

I am planning to purchase a camcorder. This is my first try. After doing some research, I found that DVD recording format is suitable for my need. However , while following the "step by step guide to purchase camcorder" of cnet.com, I found that DVD - camcorders can record only 20mins of video. Is this true?

Statement on the cnet.com is "Optical media are the least reliable during the recording process. It also holds only 20 minutes of video per disc."

I'm confused by reading this. If I use a 4 to 5 GB size DVD for recording, why it will hold only 20 mins of video?

Does somebody have information on this.

Also how far is the "mega pixel" criteria important while buying a camcorder ?

Answer 1

there are many considerations in buying a camcorder. Unless you are a genius at filming, most of your videos will need editing before viewing. That alone cancels out the plus of being able to shoot and view. Then there is quality. Mini-dvd has the poorest quality of all the options. Mini-dv cassettes have the highest quality. I would say the duration of the media is the least important. If mini-dvd gave the best quality it would be worth it to change the disk every 20 minutes, but since it's the worst, it is not. Mini-dv only record an hour of high quality but who are you? Stephen Spielberg? I'm certainly not, I mostly will record maybe 20 minutes continuously but usually it's a few minutes here, a few minutes there. No full-length feature films. No Gone With the Wind. Get a good mini-dv type, circuit city has a sale on the 3CCD (prosumer level) Panasonic GS320, it takes excellent videos. Learn how to edit. 3CCD is more important than megapixels. Read the reviews on this and other camcorders. Spend $6 and buy a one month online subscription to consumer reports. It's a pain to do all that research, but the benefits are worth the effort :-)

Answer 2

5 mega pixel is more then enough.  Also the DVD camcorders use a special DVD disc.  they are not normal dvd blanks, but small ones made for camcorders.  They hold 20 to 30 minutes.  The best thing about them though.  get the DVD-RW version and you can record for 20 minutes and then copy it to your computer and then you can just burn all over again because its re-writable.

Answer 3

DVD camcorders record to a mini DVD disc (not a full size). The way that it works, it only records about 20 minutes or so. Yeah, it's a pain.

I highly recommend not buying any DVD camcorder ever; it's the least convenient of all the mediums, according to many videographers. You don't have the advantage of an HDD or flash system (have to buy disposable medium), and you don't have the advantage of tape (high quality, easily imported into video editors).

The mega pixel criteria is of little importance to many videographers because a camcorder takes video. Mega pixels refers to the photo capture function of your camcorder, which really isn't ever that great. If you want to take great photos, get a digital camera.

You should be looking at the size of the CCD, the size and format of the lens (aspherical?), and the picture quality reviewed by professionals.