Camcorder equipment
Good video for your family history
project requires more than a camcorder. You need the right equipment to go with
it.
Powering your camcorder
Most camcorders come with rechargeable lithium batteries these days. Be prepared with extra batteries. I always carry a spare charged battery in my pocket when I'm taping.
If
you use the LCD screen, be aware that it takes a lot of battery power. Carry a
power cord for your camera that hooks up to regular house current for
alternative power.
Videotape
Find a videotape brand you like and
stick with it. Different brands use different lubricants, and they don’t always mix
well. Using a variety of brands can cause the lubricants to become gummy and
cause problems for your camcorder. I prefer Panasonic because it’s
lubricant-free.
Always stretch new videotape by
running the tape in vcr mode on your camera all the way to the end and then
rewind completely. This will assure that your tape is uniformly packed on the reel and
lessen the chance of getting drop-outs (looks like the picture is breaking
apart).
Take along extra blank, stretched
videotapes whenever you videotape. Carry a blank, stretched tape in one pocket
and an extra, charged battery in another.
Tip: I put rubber bands around
the cases of stretched, unused tapes, so I can tell used from unused tape by
feel in my pocket.
Lock and label used tapes. As soon as you take a used tape out
of the camera, label it and slide the safety latch to lock. I use a letter that indicates which camera was used and the initial date of taping for my labels. Write more detailed information on the tape case insert supplied with your videotape.
Used videotape storage Store used tape in the case end up (never flat).
Wind the tape all the way to the end. That way you will be forced to rewind before
using again and insure that the tape tension is properly set.
Stabilize your picture
Most of the video for a family
history project will be for simple still shots, like interviews. You don’t need
an expensive fluid head tripod for shots where you aren’t panning or tilting.
You do need to stabilize your shots, however. Invest in an inexpensive tripod
or make a camera saddle with a bag of beans or rice to stabilize your camera.
Avoid using the camera’s steadyshot
feature. It degrades the image because it samples the picture if it detects
motion. If you must hold your camera, lean against something and tuck your
elbows into your sides. The smaller your camera, the harder it will be to keep
a hand-held shot steady. Weight stabilizes.
Set the camera up so that it’s
eye-level, or slightly lower, with your subject. Shooting down at a person
makes them appear timid and submissive, up authoritative and less friendly.
Cables, connectors and ports
Camcorders have a variety of cable
ports to which you hook up a cable to transfer video to a computer, DVD
recorder, VCR, or other electronic equipment. Fast data transfer insures
against drop-outs. Connections from fastest to slowest.
Firewire (IEEE 1394).
Audio/Video (Fastest)
macports 
PC Port MAC Ports Camera Port
USB Audio/Video
Connector/input port
S-Video Video only
S-Video Port S- Video Connector
RCA 3 connectors/ports—Red &
white audio; Yellow video (slowest)
RCA Ports RCA Connectors
More video
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Copyright September 2009 Family History Coach All rights reserved Last update April 27, 2010
