First Concept
The first concept is called capture. You have to move all of the footage out of the camera and onto your computer’s hard disk. There are three ways to do this:
- You can capture all of the footage in a single file on your hard disk. A half hour of video footage might consume 10 gigabytes of space. (Note that some operating systems and video editing software packages limit file size to 2 gigabytes. Other packages put a 30-minute limit on file size.)
- You could bring it in as five or 10 smaller files, which together will total 10 gigabytes but will be a little more manageable.
- You can have a piece of software bring in the footage shot by shot. Adobe Premiere can do this manually, but a program like DVGate Motion (which comes standard on many Sony computers) can automatically scan the tape, find the beginning and end of every shot, and then bring them all in. Each shot will be in a different file when it’s done. If you have access to a program like this, it makes your life very easy.
Batteries
The usefulness of a camcorder is not only limited to the ability of the videographer but also on the type of equipment he chooses to use and maintain. Maintenance is a vital part of getting good video footage and caring for your stuff allows faults to be found preventing failure in the middle of your video taking work. Bateries like most equipment need proper care and monitoring for they do have a defined lifespan (mostly in the number of charge-duscharge cycles). Today’s batteries are some of the most sophistictaed ones ever in the video world, with some having active monitoring and using high tech nmaterials that offers longer charge times resulting in more video footage per battery pack. New batteries have to be conditioned (complete charge/discharge cycles, meaning using all the charge up till the device turns itself off then allowing it to fully charge again before reusing it for at least 3 times) This ensures the battery maximizes its potential with respect to the amount of charge it can hold which in time diminishes as the chemicals within breaks down (all batteries do this) till they cannot hold enough of a charge for a long time.
For a serious videographer, sveral battery packs are best for it allows you to lock and load in no time at all. Some even have back-up cameras and power packs on stand-by giving ample power for your video needs.
