Camcorder systems utilise a magnetic tape recording and playback systems. Unlike Film, that captures light onto a light sensertive plastic, video camcorders & vcrs encode light as electrical pulses onto a magnetic film, much like tape recorders encode sound onto magnetic tape. Film has twenty four frames per second where as videotape has twenty five individual frames per second.

Most systems scan across the tape in a helical fashion (i.e. diagonally). Stereo soundtracks are layed at the top of the frame running parallel to the edge of the tape. HiFi soundtracks are recorded in with the video signal, which means that the sound will be great when played back on HiFi stereo compatible equipment, but it cannot be erased from the tape without destroying the video track as well. The control track at the bottom of the tape is a special pulse, written by the Camcorder/Recorder, that indicates each individual frame. This helps to synchronise two different tapes in the editing process. It takes approximately five seconds from the beginning of a recording for the time code pulse to stabilize. That is why you should always allow approximately ten seconds from where you begin to record to when you shout 'Action!

This also goes for Digital camcorders they have all the same elements, but instead it takes the analog information the camera gathers and encodes it to bytes of data. Instead of storing the video signal as with the older video camcorders method of continuous track of magnetic patterns, it records and stores the images and sound in binary code, in 1's and 0's. This data process stops you from losing any information which analog is known to do, fading with each copy you make as the copying process doesn't produce the original signal precisely. Digital information has the versatility of being able to be transferred directly to a computer, and as long you have the relevant software you can edit it with ease.

Your all fired up for your first project...what do you choose a Video Camcorder or Video Camera. But before you choose there's something you need to keep in mind 'Camera's' see the world... 'Camcorders' record it! What the hell's he on about . You see Cameras, in order to save the footage you shoot, you need a recorder too. Don't talk daft, I hear you say, they're built in. That's only true in the case of Camcorders... that's why they're called 'Camcorders'. You can get camera's on their own... TV camera's, for example, don't record, they send the pictures to the gallery and they are recorded up there. So don't forget stand alone Cameras need a recorder whilst Camcoders record it all.

BNC Connecter

This is the standard connector for video signals. It has a centre pin and a short screw outer thread that twists and locks into position.

Phono Connecter

The Phono connector, which is also known as a 'Cinch', or 'RCA', is the standard connector for audio signals. You also find phono connectors used for both audio and video signals on camcorders.

XLR Connecter

XLR connectors are generally used for audio applications. You can find them in use on Gun microphones. This example is a female XLR. You can also find male XLR's, which are used on extension cables.

Scart

Scart's are, in effect, multiple cables connected together. Inside the bulbous plastic head there are about 20 individual pins, each capable of carrying a separate signal. These are ideal for carrying separate audio and video tracks (both sending & receiving) and can be found on most domestic Televisions and VCR's.

Panasonic SVHS

These cables are specific to Super VHS systems, and can be found on the Panasonic SVHS camcorders, and SVHS editing VCR's.

XLR 1/4

As an example, this photograph illustrates that connectors can share the same cable. Here, two different audio connectors are joined together to attach two different pieces of equipment. A mic to a mixing desk, for example.

XLR Mini-Jack

This is an XLR to Mini Jack. If you wanted to attach a Gun microphone to a camcorder, this is an essential piece of equipment. That is to say, if you don't have it, you can't do it!

RF Cable

This is probably the one connector that everyone recognises. You will find this at the back of a Television set. The RF cable (RF stands for Radio Frequency) connects to the aerial on the roof and carries the television signal to the set.

Mini-Jack

Ever seen one of these before? You should have. Its used to carry audio signals, and can be found on the end of a headphone cable and it connects into a personel stereo or minidisk player.