• Select the Right Camcorder Format

• Evaluate Camcorder Features

• Get Essential Camcorder Accessories

• Print the Camcorder Checklist

• Find Camcorders on eBay

• Buy Camcorders With Confidence

Select the Right Camcorder Format

Select the Right Camcorder Format

Master movies or start editing home video on your computer with a digital camcorder. They offer better color and clarity than analog camcorders and most can produce studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution. Plus, the non-linear digital video (DV) format makes selecting scenes, choosing precise edit points, and adding special effects with your computer a snap.

Digital8

Digital8 makes a great choice for people who want to upgrade from Hi8 or 8mm, make home movies, or buy on a budget. It plays back and records to all your old Hi8 and 8mm tapes and costs less than MiniDV. Most allow you to produce small video clips compressed for the Internet and many have a still photo feature. Like MiniDV, it can produce studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution. Keep in mind that digital records faster than analog; expect to get 60 minutes of digital recording time out of a 120-minute Hi8 tape.

DVD

Home users and professionals who want the ability to record directly to 8cm DVD-R or DVD-RW discs should consider buying a DVD camcorder. They have similar features to mid-range MiniDV and Digital8 camcorders, with a good number of features and special effects, and the DVD media won't degrade over time like a cassette. Finalize the disc, a process that takes about 10 minutes, to play back your recordings on a set-top or computer DVD player. An 8cm DVD-R costs about the same amount as a MiniDV tape and a 8cm DVD-RW costs roughly twice as much. Spend the extra money on DVD-RW discs if you want to record in DVD-VR mode, which gives you an easier way to add titles and reorder segments.

MicroMV

Trendsetters and people who want a lightweight camera to take on vacation should consider MicroMV. Sony's line of ultraportable camcorders measures about four inches high by two inches wide and three inches deep. MicroMV compresses video more than MiniDV camcorders and although some video-editing software can handle the format immediately, you often need to convert it to a usable format before attempting to edit video on your PC.

MiniDV

From budget buyers to professional videographers, MiniDV camcorders work for almost anyone. They have more sophisticated lenses and effects than Digital8 camcorders and come in two sizes: standard and ultracompact. The standard size models cost less and have large, easy-to-use buttons and controls. Most allow you to produce small video clips compressed for the Internet and still photos. Like Digital8 it can produce studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution.

Analog camcorders

Although this buying guide concentrates on digital camcorders, manufacturers still sell old-school analog camcorders and of course you can find them on eBay.   

• 8mm: Tape format with 270 lines of resolution (studio-quality recordings have 500 lines of resolution) and 120 minutes of recording time at standard speed. You can only play back video by connecting the camcorder to a TV or VCR.

• Hi8: Record to Hi8 tape at 400 lines of resolution or to 8mm tape at 240 lines of resolution.     

• S-VHS: Super VHS tapes look exactly the same as standard VHS tapes but offer 400 lines of resolution. Although S-VHS VCRs can play back standard VHS tapes, only a few standard VCRs can play back S-VHS tapes.      

• VHS: Use standard VHS tapes to record your favorite shows or your own home videos. The format uses 1/2-inch videotape, offers 240 lines of resolution, and plays back in any VCR.      

• VHS-C: Compact VHS cassette tapes come in a smaller casing than standard VHS. Like its big brother, the 1/2-inch videotape format offers 240 lines of resolution. A VCR needs an adapter to play back VHS-C tapes.

You'll need additional hardware to transfer video from your analog camcorder to a PC. Some people rely on a video capture card to digitize and compress video while others prefer a device, such as Pinnacle Studio Moviebox DV or Dazzle Video Bridge, that can attach to the PC via FireWire or USB. Devices often include bundled video-editing software. Make sure your system meets recommended system requirements before you buy.

Evaluate Camcorder Features

Evaluate Camcorder Features

Evaluate camcorder features such as lenses, CCD sensors, viewfinders, microphones, inputs and outputs, manual settings, still photos, and special effects to determine which will best meet your needs.

Lenses & lighting

Compare camcorder optics by looking at optical zoom, lux ratings, and available manual settings. Camcorders have two types of zoom: optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom represents how much a lens can zoom without enhancement. The more optical zoom your lens can tackle, the more flexibility you have while shooting close-ups or at a distance from your subject. A 10x minimum optical zoom works best for most consumers. Ignore digital zoom numbers while shopping; digital zoom enlarges pixels and large amounts can distort an image.

Lux (lumens per square meter) measures low-light sensitivity. It indicates how much light a camcorder needs to record a usable image. In general, you want your camcorder to have a lux/low-light sensitivity rating of seven or lower because lower ratings offer better performance in low-light situations. For example, camcorders with a night vision/night shot feature have the ability to shoot usable video in the dark at zero lux. Also, lowering your lux setting and shutter speed produces better color than using pre-set low-light modes. People who plan to frequently shoot in low light should look for a camcorder with a built-in light or an accessory shoe that can accept an add-on.

CCD sensors and resolution

The quality of your video depends on your camcorder's charge coupled device (CCD). The CCD, an electronic sensor, converts light information into pixels to produce images. More pixels equal higher resolution. Higher resolution equals higher quality. Look at the number of CCDs in a camera, the size of each CCD, and the number of effective pixels for each sensor when comparing product specs.   

• CCD count: Camcorders can use one CCD to reproduces all colors or three CCDs, with each CCD reproducing a separate color (red, green, and blue). Using three CCDs improves color quality, but also increases price.

• CCD size: The CCDs in consumer camcorders range in size from 1/6-inch to 1/3-inch. A larger CCD offers better performance, typically offering a higher number of effective pixels.     

• Effective pixels: CCDs use some pixels to output image data (effective pixels) and some to filter the image. Look at effective pixels to judge image quality. An average home user should look for a minimum 300,000 effective video resolution on a single CCD. People looking for a professional-grade camcorder will need three CCDs with minimum 250,000 effective pixels per sensor or a single CCD with minimum 690,000 effective pixels.

Viewfinders & viewscreens

Make sure you can see what you shoot. Most camcorders have a viewfinder, a small monitor that you can look through to frame a shot. They work extremely well in brightly-lit areas where viewscreens can look washed out. Although most viewfinders operate in color some semi-pros prefer black and white, which offers better contrast and allows a videographer the ability to quickly pinpoint overexposed areas.

A small LCD viewscreen serves the same function as a viewfinder, but provides a larger image. You may have trouble seeing the screen in bright light, so make sure you can adjust screen brightness in outdoor settings. Viewfinder size starts at two inches. Two and a half inches (2.5 inches) works best for most people, offering a good screen viewing area. Larger LCDs require more power, which decreases the amount of shooting time you'll get out of a battery.

Look for a touch viewscreen if you want the ability to navigate menus and spot focus from your camcorder's LCD display.

Microphones & sound quality

Digital8 and MiniDV camcorder microphones record 12-bit or 16-bit audio. 16-bit recording have CD-quality stereo sound while 12-bit recordings capture one stereo channel and leave the other channel available for music or voiceovers, which you can add when you edit. DVD camcorders provide stereo Dolby Digital sound.

Manufacturers place built-in microphones on the top or on the front of a camcorder. A front-mounted directional microphone has a better chance of capturing good audio from the subject of a video and top-mounted mikes often get better audio from the videographer. If you plan on recording a lot of speeches, consider a zoom microphone to increase your chances of capturing every word.

Moviemakers should invest in a good external microphone and a camcorder with a minijack microphone connection. If your camcorder accepts an accessory shoe you can also use it to attach a microphone. Prosumer-level cameras can also accept high-quality XLR microphones.

Inputs & outputs

Connect your camcorder to your computer, television, VCR, or analog camcorder.

• IEEE 1394: Transfer your video footage from your camcorder to your compatible PC over a high-speed IEEE 1394 connection. Apple calls the standard "FireWire" and Sony calls it "i.Link."

• USB 2.0: DVD camcorders typically transfer video to a compatible PC via high-speed USB 2.0 instead of IEEE 1394.   

• A/V: Hook your camcorder up to a TV or VCR with standard RCA connectors.   

• S-video: Connect your camcorder to your TV or VCR over an S-video cable.

If your camcorder supports analog-to-digital conversion, digitize your old footage by connecting your analog camcorder to the A/V input or S-video input on your new camcorder.

Manual Settings

Make the most of your lens' abilities with must-have manual adjustment settings.   

• Aperture: Adjust how much light reaches the camcorder's CCD(s). Look for a maximum aperture of f1.4 or f1.6 for the best low-light performance.

• Shutter speed: Increase or decrease the time your camcorder spends recording a frame. Use a faster shutter speed to get the best results when shooting moving objects.      

• White balance: Tell your camcorder what white looks like in your scene's lighting and get perfect color reproduction in any setting. Some camcorders even have presets for sunny, cloudy, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting. 

• Image stabilization: Compensate for shaky handheld camera movement or wind, especially while you zoom in for a close-up.

All camcorders provide automatic focus, a feature that selects the subject in the foreground of a video for you. Professionals and hobbyists should look for a camcorder with a focus ring or dial to manually shift focus. Also look for a professional or prosumer camcorder with a threaded barrel that can accept filters and lens converters.

Still photos & special effects

Many camcorders have the ability to take still photos or create short video clips compressed for the Web. DVD camcorders store the stills and clips on a memory card or record directly to DVD while Digital8 and MiniDV camcorders use memory cards exclusively. Don't plan on replacing your still camera with your camcorder, though. You'll get better resolution and optics out of a standalone digital camera. If you need help choosing one, head over to the Digital Cameras Buying Guide.

Camcorders can also come with a variety of built-in special effects. Standard options include: 

• Fade: Gradual dimming effect often used to change between scenes.

• Wipe: Pushes a scene to one side. 

• Mosaic: Breaks an image into small squares. 

• Sepia: Removes color from a picture and adds a brown tint to give an image an antique look.

• Titling: Allows a user to create on-screen titles, captions, or comments. 

• Date/time stamp: Records date and time information on the corner of a video. 

• Night vision: Ability to shoot usable video in the dark. Video takes on a green tint.

Your video-editing software will have similar special effects.

Get Essential Camcorder Accessories

Get Essential Camcorder Accessories

Complement your camcorder with these must-have accessories and make sure you have the right gear for every shoot. 

• Blank tapes: In order to record you'll need blank tapes. You'll want a couple hours worth of tape to get started. Plan your projects ahead of time and know how many extra tapes you'll need to bring to each shoot. 

• Tripod: Keep your camera steady and avoid shaky handheld camera movement. A tripod with a fluid head will give you the smoothest motion.    

• Case: Protect your new camcorder with a simple carrying case, shoulder bag, or hard case.      

• Extra batteries: You can expect to get about an hour of power out of the battery that comes with your camcorder. Keep one or two extra batteries in your camera bag so you can shoot as long as you want.

• Memory cards: Stock up on memory cards used by camcorders with a still photo feature. You'll find plenty of CompactFlash, MultiMedia, Secure Digital, Sony Memory Sticks, and xD Picture Cards on eBay that you can also use with compatible MP3 players, PDAs, and digital cameras. 

• Microphone: Get the best audio possible with an external microphone. Pro-level camcorders usually accept high-quality XLR microphones. Make sure you have enough XLR cable and an adapter if necessary. 

• Cables: To transfer video from your digital camcorder to your PC over a high-speed IEEE 1394 (a.k.a. FireWire) connection, you'll need an IEEE 1394 cable. You may also want a set of standard RCA cables to connect your camcorder to a TV or VCR. 

• Computer necessities: If your computer already supports the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) standard you don't need any additional hardware to transfer digital video from your camcorder to your PC. If your computer doesn't support IEEE 1394, install an inexpensive PCI card. You may also want a designated video card to process your movies. Visit eBay's Computers & Networking BuyingGuide to find tips for buying a multimedia desktop or laptop. 

• Video editing software: Point, click, and edit. Install easy-to-use video-editing software to organize your footage, insert transitions and special effects, or add music.

Print the Camcorder Checklist

Print the Camcorder Checklist

Once you have determined which camcorder you need, print out this handy checklist and keep it next to you while you shop on eBay.

Make home movies

Preserve birthdays, holidays, graduations, and vacations on video.

Buy on a Budget

Inexpensive camcorders come packed with enough features to please most new to intermediate users. Look for bundled extras, such as a tripod, case, and video-editing software, to save even more.

Make an indy movie

Save money making your independent short or feature film. Digital video costs less than traditional film. Plus, you don't need to pay to process your footage; just import it into your multimedia computer. Look at a camcorder with a fixed lens that accepts filters and add-ons, three high-quality CCDs, and manual settings for aperture, shutter speed, focus, and white balance.

Shoot like a pro

Make your professional or semi-professional videos look great. Look for a high-quality lens and CCD as well as a lot of manual settings.

Find Camcorders on eBay

Find Camcorders on eBay

Head over to eBay's Cameras & Photo portal, click Camcorders, and use the following tips to find the camcorder you need.

• Categories: Lists of links on the left side of each page will help you logically sort item listings.

• Finder: Use the Camcorder Finder on the left side of the page to narrow down item listings to the type of camcorder you need. Select analog or digital, choose a brand, or enter your own keywords.

• Keywords: Let eBay find items for you by entering the keywords you want to find into the Finder's Keywords box or into the general eBay search box. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more advice about searching with keywords. 

• Expand your search: If you can't find exactly what you want, don't give up hope.

Once you find the camcorder of your dreams, go to the Camcorder Accessories page and pick up a case, tripod, tapes, cables, and an extra battery.

Buy Camcorders With Confidence

Buy Camcorders With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.