DV vs. DVD

I don’t know much about the DVD format camcorders. Most of my experience has been with mini DV cameras. I decided to do a bit of research of the pros and cons of each format. Either way, you’ve got to spend money on DV tapes or DVD blank discs.

From How Stuff Works.com:

“DVD camcorders are still relatively rare, as compared to MiniDV models, but their numbers are growing steadily. Instead of recording magnetic signals on tape, these camcorders burn video information directly onto small discs. The main advantage of this format is that each recording session is recorded as an individual track, just like the individual song tracks on a CD. Instead of rewinding and fast-fowarding through tape, you can jump immediately to each section of video. Other than that, DVD camcorders are pretty close to MiniDV models in performance. The picture is a little better on DVD models, however, and DVDs can store more footage. Depending on the camcorder’s settings, a disc can hold 30 minutes to two hours of video.”

“MiniDV camcorders record on compact cassettes, which are fairly expensive and hold about 60 to 90 minutes of footage. The video has an impressive 500 lines of resolution, however, and can be easily transferred to a personal computer. DV camcorders can be extremely lightweight and compact — many are about the size of a paperback novel. Another interesting feature is the ability to capture still pictures, just as a digital camera does.”

So it seems that DVD camcorders are the underdogs, while mini DV cameras are more widely used. I feel like the people who want a panasonic dvd camcorder is looking to just make family recordings. The dvd can be like a video album of sorts. For example, you could record several parts of a wedding. Then, when you playback, you can skip to each section (like a chapter on a dvd movie). Sounds cool enough for that type of use.

Most film schools and workshops use mini DV or DV. It’s most likely easier to manipulate and interface into industry-standard editing systems. When “24″ uses digital video, I don’t imagine the cinematographer popping in a blank DVD. I just don’t see it.

Related posts:

1. British Camcorders
2. The HDV Craze
3. The Upgrade Cycle
4. How to make DV look like Film
5. Kodak: A film standard