Among the many high tech features of the Samsung Camcorder VP-DC171 is the ability to use 8 different shutter speeds and 9 digital special effects to adapt to any exposure conditions. The Samsung Camcorder VP-DC171 also has a resume-after-start mode for DVD, a slow-motion mode, a DVD-editing function with title and scene settings for enjoyable and easy use.

With the Samsung Camcorder VP-DC171, there is no need to fear data loss as mini DVDs are more robust than tapes and do not degrade in quality with each replay. What’s more is that with this Samsung camcorder, there is no need to hook your camcorder up to the computer or TV via cables, you can simply transfer the disc from the camcorder to your player to enjoy your DVD quality footage instantly after filming.

Mini DVD camcorders are becoming even more attractive as they have recently come down in price significantly. While camcorders come in many storage formats, Mini DVD camcorders are the most convenient option in many ways.

Many people are looking for a digital camcorder that is easy to use and has intuitive functions. Mini DVD camcorders are perfect for these types of people, ranging from the novice to the less-technically-inclined user.

Unlike camcorders utilising other storage formats such as Mini DV tapes and inbuilt hard drives, Mini DVD camcorders do not need to be transferred to a computer and burnt to a disc to be replayed in a DVD player. This is ideal for those who do not wish to fuss about with editing their footage and eliminates the need for equipment like a computer and a DVD burner.

Another important and useful function of a Mini DVD camcorder is that the mini discs themselves have a long storage life and can last up to 30-100 years. Furthermore, the discs will not degrade in quality with each replay, unlike mini DV tapes.

• Lithium-Ion Batteries: These are the best in camcorder battery technology. They offer fast charging times, long life, steady discharge characteristics and are lightweight. A Lithium-Ion battery offers over 40 per cent more charge capacity than Nickel Cadmium battery of similar size and weight. It is best to keep this type of camcorder battery fully charged and store them in a cool, dry area, safe from shock.

• Lead Acid Batteries: These camcorder batteries are the most reliable, and are the same basic type as those found in automobiles and recreation vehicles such as four wheelers and motorcycles. It is wise to keep this type of camcorder battery fully charged and it can sometimes take up to 24 hours for this battery to regain full power.

• Nickel Cadium and Nickel Metal Hydride: These camcorder batteries require more attention than other battery types. Commonly found as the batteries used in cordless phones, it is important to fully discharge this battery down to get the longest life out of it. Let the camcorder run out a few times before charging it to get maximum run time.

With the number of different camcorder formats expanding on what seems like a daily basis – Video 8, Digital 8, MiniDV, SD, DVD – you’d have thought there was a limit. There isn't. With the recent widespread embrace of high definition TV, high definition moviemaking with the Blu-Ray disc format is a stones throw away.

The Hitachi Camcorder DZ-BD7H is one of the world’s first Blu-Ray camcorders, and what’s more is that it has a hard drive attached. Hitachi camcorders have made a breakthrough and we are no longer confined to the capacity of a single storage format. The Hitachi Camcorder DZ-BD7H has both an internal drive and a drive for 8cm Blu-Ray discs that can record high definition in one-hour chunks.

Unfortunately, the Hitachi Camcorder DZ-BD7H is not that easy to operate and has some tell tale creeks. Outside in good light and on a tripod, the Hitachi Camcorder DZ-BD7H does its job nicely. Unfortunately, any extra camera movement and the electronic image stabilisation makes straight lines appear wavy and the overall picture turn to fuzz. In theory the Hitachi Camcorder DZ-BD7H is an impressive piece of equipment, but wait for Hitachi to iron out the kinks before spending big bucks on this one.

The interface is the same regardless of whether you’re using the early model Flip Video, the popular Flip Ultra or the new swanky Flip Mino. Each version has gotten a bit smaller, slicker and pricier.

The original Flip Video has 1 GB memory and holds 60 minutes of video. The colourful Flip Ultra comes in five vibrant colours and has 2 GB memory and 60 minutes of better quality video. The latest Flip Mino has 2GB of space and 60 minutes of recording time however, is much smaller and has an internal battery. The new Flip Camera also has improved functionality such as pause, fast forward and rewind buttons.

Once you’re done recording with your Flip Camera, simply “flip” the camera’s USB arm out, plug it into your computer and use the built-in software to transfer and share your video. You use the video to publish directly to YouTube, AOL Video, or even MySpace with the Flip Mino.

The Panasonic Video Camera VDR-D50 is ideal for home and vacation moviemakers who aren’t interested in all the high tech, whiz-bang features but want a good quality camcorder that has mini DVD storage and a range of basic features.

The main reason mini DVD camcorders are so popular is because immediately after making recordings, discs can be played in a DVD player, eliminating the need to transfer to a computer for editing and burning to DVD.

Using mini DVDs, the Panasonic Video Camera VDR-D50 facilitates easy searching and random access to video segments rather than the linear, forward or reward restrictions on tape media.

The Panasonic Video Camera VDR-D50 also has selectable image-quality levels, including high quality variable bit rate recording and the option to take still images which are also stored on disc (as opposed to a tape and memory card combination).

The drawbacks of the Panasonic Video Camera VDR-D50 include the fact that mini DVDs have a shorter recording time in high quality mode than tape video cameras and the good quality discs are relatively expensive compared to mini DV tapes.

There are many high definition camcorders on the market, with only very few using mini DVD or mini Blu-ray discs as a storage method. This is because the amount of storage space required for high definition video and audio will sometimes exceed the capacity of a mini DVD.

As a result, most HD video camera models on the market use either inbuilt non-tape hard drives or mini DV tapes as a storage solution.

Here are some of the best rated HD video cameras:

• Canon XhA1 HDV Camcorder
  • Good low light performance
  • Non-interchangeable lens
  • Compact size

• Sony HDR-FX7 Camcorder
  • Clear VID CMOS sensors
  • Poor low light performance
  • Has external audio level control

• JVC GYHD110U MiniDV Camcorder
  • Interchangeable lenses
  • Standard Fujinon 16x ProHD Lens

This Canon DVD camcorder has an attractive, functional design. It is solidly built despite being made of pre-brushed plastic in two-tone metallic champagne and brown, and overall has a nice up-scale look.

Of all the Canon DVD camcorder models, the DV40 has some improvements on previous designs. It has surprisingly sold low-light video quality, a broad set of semi manual photo and video controls as well as a modest 10x zoom lens. Video shot in 16:0 aspect ration runs just less than 3 mega pixels, whereas 4:3 uses about 3.5 mega pixels. Stills taken with this Canon DVD camcorder are a full 4.0 mega pixels.

Like its competitors, the Canon DVD Camcorder DC40 can fit 20 minutes of its best quality video per single sided mini DVD, so no innovations there. The camcorder also requires about 50 seconds in initialising each time it is turned on and an unavoidable few seconds lag between pressing pause/record.

Apart from a few negative features – uses mini SD cards rather than standard SD cards, has a blinding video light and no S-video input for converting analog video to DVDs – The Canon DVD Camcorder DC40 model will definitely suit anyone looking for a decent device that can produce semi-professional quality video.

The DVD camcorder has a number of advantages over other storage formats. In terms of cost, the DVD camcorder was initially far more expensive than the mini DV tape camcorder. Fortunately, the price has fallen in recent years and not only have mini DVDs become inexpensive, they are both easier to use and widely available.

The increasing popularity of the mini DVD camcorder lies purely in that recording is totally digital, meaning the mini DVD can be transported immediately after recording to a capable DVD player to be watched on a TV set, computer, or wherever it may be.

Mini DVD camcorders use mini discs that are smaller than mini DV tapes and easy to store. Furthermore, they do not degrade with frequent playback and have an expected lifespan of 30-100 years. They are becoming cheaper than mini DV tapes and are far more robust. Most importantly, there is no fear of your footage being chewed up as there is with the DV tape format.

This Sony DVD Handycam is loaded with cutting edge technology, including the rare convenience of having a high definition camcorder that records to DVDs. The features and specs of this Sony DVD Handycam are enough to make a professional filmmaker salivate.

The HDR-UX7 is one of the only Sony DVD Handycam models that can record in either high or standard definition, depending on the users preferences. Due to the fact that most other HD camcorders do not offer mini DVD as a storage option, the Sony DVD Handycam model HDR-UX7 takes the cake as one of the most high tech home video options on the market.

Other great features of the Sony DVD Handycam HDR-UX7 include the ability to film in the dark with ‘NightShot’ infrared, as well as other artistic features such as beach mode, candle mode and fireworks mode. It also comes with a handy soft shell case for safe keeping, ideal to keep your camcorder safe in all your explorations.

Overall, the innovative technology in this little device make the Sony DVD Handycam HDR-UX7 one of a kind in the camcorder world.