FAQs About Video Cameras

Video cameras have come a long way since they first made an appearance in the early 1950's. Prior to that, there was no way to record video and sound together. It was not until the 1980's that camcorders were affordable enough and portable enough for the general public to own. Now, there are many choices when it comes to purchasing a video camera.

Q: How do video cameras work?

A: There are three basic parts of a video camera. These are the lens, the imager, and the recorder. The purpose of the lens is to reflect and focus light onto the imager. In order to produce a clear image, the camera electronically adjusts the focus of the lens. Most video cameras also feature zoom capabilities, as well as other adjustments to the light gathered by the lens. The imager is where the light from the lens is reflected. The purpose of the imager is to take this light and change it into an electric signal. Finally, the recorder serves to write that electric signal onto a recording medium. Recording mediums are either analog or digital.

Q: What is the difference between analog video cameras and digital video cameras?

A: The first video cameras were analog. Analog video cameras record the video and audio tracks onto video tape. Every time a video tape is played or copied, it loses quality. Eventually, after enough use, video tapes wear out. Also, because even the smallest of video tapes are bulky, analog camcorders are bulky as well. Digital video cameras have now replaced the majority of analog camcorders. Digital video cameras use an imager that digitizes the output of the imager before it is recorded to a digital media format, like a DVD or memory card. Unlike analog media, digital media retains its quality over time, but the quality may be lower than an analog video due to digital compression of the audio and video.