One of the coolest things that a person can do with their computer and their digital camcorder is digital video editing. Many people, more than likely, have a good amount of videos just waiting to be edited. One thing that a person can do with these is to create a special video, with all the bits and pieces of information stored together. The key is to have the right tools in order to edit these precious memories.

A good camcorder can make the hassle of digital video editing seem like a walk in the park. A person needs to ensure that their camcorder has at least 550 lines of resolution, in order to create a fantastic picture. Also, the camera should have an optical stabilization feature included in the package. This helps to automatically control the shakiness that may occur while using any hand held video recorder.

The other main tool that will be needed for editing is a computer. In order to create great videos, the computer needs at least thirty gigs of space available. This will allow a person to create a video that lasts approximately one hour. Also needed will be an eight meg graphics card. Otherwise, the video quality will be dull. Even the new Macs will be able to create great videos as long as a G4 is present. All a person will need for either a Mac or PC is the right video editing software, such as Adobe Premiere Elements 4 or Pinnacle Studio Ultimate 11, to name only two of the many choices available.

Tools for helping with digital video editing are available almost everywhere that computers and camcorders are found. Once a person is outfitted with the right components, they can then create the most unique movies with their digital camcorder and their computer. Camcorder prices and computer prices have decreased significantly in the past few years and the world of video memory keeping is now more affordable to those who wish to indulge in this great past time.

The world of the digital video broadcasting project is so large that it includes every continent. The purpose of the project is to ensure that digital camcorders, televisions
and other devices that are used to view video and broadcast signals, are all digital. Already, over 180 million receivers are in place, but some are still not prepared for this technological revolution.

The digital video broadcasting project’s main purpose is to ensure that the migration from digital to analogue goes smoothly. A good piece of the market share of the broadcasting world today is littered with analogue sets. If a person is not careful, then they will be left in the dark when it comes to seeing broadcasted programming in early 2009. The bright light in all of this is that today’s electronics are not analogue but digital, and they will not need a converter.

What is so good about the DVB project and its system? Well, for starters, it is an open system instead of a closed system. In other worlds, an open system allows for the integrations between computers and televisions, instead of a closed system that is only for television viewing. Through digital broadcasting, the possibility of seeing live television in cars, trains, buses and even on hand held devices is possible. This is a wonderful option coming for those who cannot live without their television sets.

The digital video broadcasting project is getting the word out to millions of people about the up coming changes that are going to be made to the delivery of television programming. No longer will a person just have to covet owning that digital handycam or that high definition video player in the stores. They will have to actually find a way to purchase it if they are to keep living their lives while enjoying using a camcorder or watching television. Change is in the wind and a person cannot stop it from occurring.

A camcorder is a video recorder with a built in voice recorder. These were previously used only for broadcast journalism, but when they were made for the general public, the world of sharing and recording memories was changed. People no longer had to rely on still cameras for their family memories. The world clamored for this new invention and they still are, with the high tech advances that are happening in the field of digital video recorders.

One of the most revolutionary inventors of our time is Jerome Lemelson. In 1980, he gained a patent on the camcorder. According to records, he had tried to gain the patent in 1977, but the patent office of the United States denied him because the idea seemed too absurd at the time. Many other high tech devices can be attributed to Lemelson, including the ATM, the Walkman and the VCR. This is one man who completely changed the way in which people store memories.

When a person thinks of camcorders, they most likely do not consider the internal components. Inside those small digital handycam recorders are many components, including a mini VCR. The handy cams are so tiny that one may have a hard time believing this, but in every type of camcorder, this crucial component exists. Also included inside is a CCD, which helps measure the light used to show the images, as well as lens and motors that deal with zoom, focus and aperture.

The camcorder was one of the most fascinating inventions to come around in a long time. With this invention, the world was given the opportunity to not only record the faces of people and the events of their lives, but to also capture the sounds of the events. As time goes on, a person’s memory fades and the voices of loved ones become a distant sound never to be heard again. With one of the many high definition video recorders on the market today, a person can capture a voice in time that will last for generations to come.

Video recording devices can help you to hold on to memories that your family can cherish for a lifetime. So, purchasing quality digital video cameras is important if you want to make sure that your child’s recital, graduation, or family vacation is recorded with sharpness and definition. Here are some of the best places to find digital video cameras, as well as the best brands for your money.

If you’re searching online for digital video cameras, you’ll definitely want to visit www.cnet.com to check out the company and customer reviews that the site has to offer. Depending on the brands you’re looking for and the amount you’re ready to spend, you’ll find detailed reviews on the pros and cons of each item so that you can make an informed choice. For instance, if you don’t want to spend more than $200 on your video camera, you may want to check out devices like the Flip Video Ultra–this device is small and compact and can easily fit into your suitcase or carry-on bag, and you can share video and pictures on the internet as well. The device is compatible with Macs as well as PCs, but the Muvee editing features only work with the PC edition. The Flip Video Ultra only records 30 minutes worth of footage at a time, and doesn’t provide the same type of quality as a MiniDV recorder, but is great for quick footage and digital photos. You can find the device on www.cnet.com or by logging onto www.shopping.com.

Digital video cameras by Samsung may also have the features you need. These cameras are compact and lightweight as well, and are very easy to use. You can use the device to shoot short films and take digital photos, and the optical zoom is 34x, so you can get detailed footage. This camcorder is under $200 as well, so it’s a definite money-saver.

Sony will also provide you with great digital video cameras that you won’t want to pass up. Smaller devices like the NSC-GC1 are great for traveling, and include a flip-out screen and media flash card that makes it easy for you to convert your video or photo files into computer files. If you’re not used to handling a camcorder, you may want to pay special attention to the owner’s manual, since some customer reviews suggest that this device has controls that are a little awkward. You’ll also have to make sure that your flash is not blocked when you’re taking photos, since this will affect the quality of your pictures. You can find out more about the NSG-GC1 by visiting www.sonystyle.com or logging onto www.bestbuy.com.

You can also try larger, more advanced digital video cameras, like the Everio from JVC. There is a hard drive programmed into the camera, and the device offers excellent lighting, so that your pictures and video footage are bright and crisp. The camera also allows you to take pictures or record footage at night with the right lighting, so that you won’t have to miss a moment when it comes to capturing special moments on tape. The Everio is easy to carry around, and you can use the hard drive to play back your video footage and edit your ‘work.’

For more great information on digital video cameras and camcorder accessories that you’ll love, visit www.nextag.com.

Powerful, colorful and pocket-sized, the ultra-compact Cyber-shot® DSC-W55 camera offers 7.2 mega pixel imaging, a Carl Zeiss® 3X optical zoom lens, high ISO 1000 sensitivity for low-light shooting and Stamina® battery power for extra long life and up to 380 shots. A bright 2.5″ LCD screen makes it easy to compose shots, check results and read menus even in bright sunlight. The 56MB of onboard memory allows you to save photographs without a flash memory card. And the optional Memory Stick Duo™ media slot makes it easy to save and exchange photos. The Cyber-shot® DSC-W55 is available in four stylish colors including:  black, blue, pink, and silver.

Features include….

* 7.2 Mega pixel with Super HAD™ CCD - The Sony® Super HAD™ (Hole Accumulated Diode) CCD design lets more light pass to each pixel, improving sensitivity and reducing noise.
* Carl Zeiss® 3X Optical Zoom Lens Design - This advanced lens design allows the DSC-W55 to bring distant subjects closer and lets the user frame shots quickly—a significant advantage for action shots, outdoor fun and travel photos.
* Large 2.5” LCD Screen - a large and bright LCD screen that is easy for the eyes, letting the user compose shots, check results, share photos instantly and read camera setup menus even in full sunlight.
* High Sensitivity Mode - with high ISO 1000 sensitivity, the DSC-W55 takes better shots in low light so the user can shoot without flash to preserve the mood—fantastic for birthday parties, indoor gatherings and candid portraits.
* Original Sony® Clear RAW™ NR (Noise Reduction) image processing technology - helps negate color noise that can happen with high-sensitivity shooting.
* 56 MB Internal Memory - capture a large number of images with the onboard memory, great for traveling or for quick snapshots.
* Memory Stick Duo™ Media Convenience - a built-in slot for optional Memory Stick Duo™ or Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media is provided, making it easily to upload photos to your computer or make lab-quality prints at home on your Sony Picture Station™ digital printer (sold separately).
* Function Guide Text/Icon Display - skip the user manual and let the on-screen Function Guide text/icon display teach you the camera functions that you want, giving you greater creative freedom to adjust the photo settings you are interested in.
* Versatile Color Modes - greater creative freedom to adjust color mode for the creative results you want is yours—use the Natural setting for subtle colors, the Rich setting for more intense colors, and the Monochrome and Sepia color settings for special effects.
* Convenient Photo Modes - easily adjust to specific shooting situations by choosing from several available photo modes:  Auto, P-Auto, and Scene Selections for Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, High Sensitivity, Soft Snap, Snow, and Beach environments.
* 14X Smart Zoom® Feature - this camera feature intelligently “crops into” the central portion of interest in your photo, avoiding the image degradation found with many other digital zooms.
* MPEG Movie VX Fine Mode - capture VGA (640 x 480) audio/video clips at high frame rate (up to 30 frames per second), with length limited only by the capacity of your media.
* Stamina® Battery Power - capture up to 380 shots with a fully charged NP-BG1 Lithium Ion battery.
* Burst Mode - fire off four successive shots automatically at 7.2 MP mode or up to 64 shots at VGA Standard mode, and get that perfect shot of even unpredictable subjects like animals and small children.
* Picture Motion Browser Software - easily upload, organize and search photos on your PC with the supplied software package.  Includes a convenient map view function to sort photos by location and display their origin on a world map by using an optional GPS unit.

Other specifications:

Dimensions:  2.3” high x 3.5” wide x .9” deep
Weight:  4.2 oz
PictBridge Enabled:  yes

Users give solid reviews of this product, with the ease of use and zoom capacity being particular favorites.  Unlike many digital cameras, users are generally happy with the battery life of this model.  Users do complain that the software is not compatible with lower-end or home-built computers, that the factory-specific batteries are expensive, and some users would prefer slightly larger control buttons.

Of all the top-rated digital cameras, Sony’s CyberShot series consistently performs at or above industry standards. The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 has long been a favorite choice for intermediate digital photographers. It ranks near the top of all digital cameras given as holiday gifts in recent years. Users love its quality photos and many useful features.

The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 is an 8.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. Pictures are taken in JPEG format. The camera’s ISO equivalencies are 100, 800, 400, 200, 80, 1600, and 3200. It has both programmed and automatic exposure settings for a variety of picture-taking situations and lighting conditions.

A slim and trim little digital camera, the Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 weighs a mere 4.5 ounces. Its physical dimensions are 2.2 in x 3.5 in x 0.9 in (HxWxD), making it an easy camera to slip into a shirt pocket for a day of photography.

The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 also has a video mode for those who want to capture motion and sound rather than still photos. The camera uses Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick Pro Duo recording methods. It comes with A/V and USB cables, and is covered by a one year warranty.

So what are Sony CyberShot DSC-T20 owners saying about the camera? They have nothing but praise for the picture quality. Photos are bright and clear, and the camera has a very bright flash. It is a very small camera, though. While some users like the super-slim dimensions, others find themselves worrying that the device will break. This concern could be unwarranted, however; none of the many customer reviews mentioned having to replace the camera due to physical breakage. It’s not recommended that this camera be given to small children, though; not only is it small and light, it’s also a little on the pricey side. Besides, with so many digital cameras made especially for kids, children would probably prefer a sturdier, more colorful camera anyway.

Another caveat for beginners: this camera has a lot of features. Users describe feeling a little lost due to the sheer number of settings, modes, and options. If you’re the adventurous type, jump right in and start experimenting. But if you’re the cautious sort who likes a straightforward camera, you could find a better fit with another brand.

The Sony CyberShot DSC-T20, like many cameras in its price range, is good for beginners and intermediate photographers. When a particular camera series has a large and loyal following, it’s usually for a good reason. Sony’s CyberShot series gives users plenty of cool features at a fair price.

Another contender in the low-priced digital camera arena is the small, lightweight, 5 megapixel Polaroid i531. Praised for its image quality and wide LCD, this digital camera is wonderful for beginners. Children might find the thin, lightweight body too frail for their use. But for adults who want a simple camera for daily photography, the Polaroid i531 delivers.

The Polaroid i531 has a 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, and CCD image sensor. It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and a minimum aperture of f/5.6. The camera’s focal length ranges from 6.2mm to 18.6mm. Pictures are taken in JPEG format.

Like other cameras in its price range, the Polaroid i531 has a collection of settings, both automatic and programmed. Some settings work best for outdoor action shots, while others make the most of low light situations. The camera is praised for being easy to use with intuitive buttons and settings that are easy to figure out.

Other features include ISO equivalencies of 100, 400, 200, auto, and 50. The camera comes with 16MB of internal flash memory. A good-sized LCD screen (at 2.4 inches) makes image previewing a breeze. Users can also capture motion video with this camera.

For connectivity, the Polaroid i531 comes with a USB cable. It also comes with a wrist strap to keep the camera secure – a necessity, since many users have described the Polaroid i531 as easily breakable.

A real stand-out feature of the Polaroid i531 is the camera’s self-timer. These are fairly rare among the lower priced digital cameras. Users who want to take pictures of themselves can set the timer for 2 seconds or 10 seconds, pose, and enjoy. Digital camera users have long searched for low-priced cameras with timers included. This feature sets the Polaroid i531 apart from its competition.

What do users think about the Polaroid i531? They laud its user-friendly setup and picture quality. However, many do point out that this camera is rather flimsy. With dimensions of 2.4 in x 3.5 in x 0.9 in (HxWxD) and a weight of 4.9 ounces, this is not a camera you want to subject to rough treatment. Some users complain that they have had to replace the camera after only a couple of days because of physical breakage.

To summarize, the Polaroid i531 is an easy to use, low cost digital camera with a generous LCD and good picture quality. It also comes with a self timer for users who want to take photographs of themselves. But the camera is also easy to break, so should be handled with care. This digital camera would be a good choice for beginners, but not necessarily for children due to its fragility.

Designed for the first-time user, the Polaroid a520m Digital Camera has some easy-to-use features. Here are a few examples of what you can do with the Polaroid a520m camera:

* Enjoy point & shoot operation. The resolution is adjustable for print or email.
* Store video clips and pictures to an SD card or the internal memory.
* Shoot pictures or video clips, and play them back on the LCD screen or on a computer.
* Send your friends and family your pictures and video clips over the Internet.
* The camera has PictBridge capability.

The camera offers a splashy break from the sea of traditional black and silver cameras, being offered in a cute theme of colors:  pink, light pink, and magenta—sure to appeal to young girls—in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The list of technical specifications and additional features are as follows:

* PC and Mac compatible
* 4x digital zoom
* Standard 16 mega byte integrated flash memory
* Supports MultiMedia Card and SD Card for extra memory
* 5.1 mega pixel resolution
* Built-in flash
* 2.0” bright color TFT active-matrix LCD which offers a preview of images before shooting
* Video recording in AVI format
* Built-in microphone
* Built-in tripod stand (tripod sold separately)
* Still image compression in JPEG, EXIF 2.2 and AVI format
* Settings include flash off, auto, red-eye reduction, and fill-in flash
* Automatic white balance
* Automatic exposure
* Features an electronic 10-second delay for taking pictures of yourself
* Optical sensor type:  CCD
* Image sensor type:  CMOS
* Minimum focus range:  38.4”
* Image resolutions:  640 x 480, 2592 x 1944, and 2048 x 1536
* Video resolution:  320 x 240 (QVGA)
* Aperture range:  f2.8/f8 (w/t)
* Shutter speed:  1/8 – 1/2000 of a second
* Unit dimensions, metric:  60mm high, 94mm wide, and 21mm deep
* Unit dimensions, English:  2.4” high, 3.7” wide, and .8” deep
* Retail package dimensions, metric:  222mm high, 267mm wide, and 69mm deep
* Retail package dimensions, English:  8.74” high, 10.5” wide, and 2.7” deep
* Unit weight, metric:  .13 kg
* Unit weight, English:  4.5 oz
* Retail package weight, metric:  .49 kg
* Retail package weight, English:  1.1 lb
* Comes with a wrist strap, skin, USB cable, 4 “AAA” batteries, and a software CD which includes drivers and utilities.

People who have purchased this camera describe it as a good camera for first-time users especially young teen-agers:  it’s cute, it’s light, it easily fits into a pocket, it’s easy to use, and it seems to be priced with this young demographic in mind, coming in at around $65.00 US.

Many users complain about the photo quality, stating that even in moderately well-lit indoor settings photos are too dark without the flash, but that photos come out too bright with the flash or outside on a bright day—sometimes to the point of washing out people’s faces.  However, this problem seems to be more pronounced when the subjects photographed are close to the camera—subjects further away photograph better.

Some users also complain that the LCD display is too dark when used indoors as well.  In addition, the LCD goes black for a few seconds after a photo, which some users find frustrating.  On a bright note, the LCD is considered large enough to be eye-friendly.

The lack of a view finder is aggravating to users who are used to having this functionality in their digital cameras.  Users sometimes find background objects to be out of focus.  However, users do find it easy to upload photos from the camera to the computer.

Bottom line:  it’s a good camera for younger first-time users who will be more excited about owning a pink camera than being discerning about the quality of pictures they take.

Want a compact digital camera with easy-to-use features, a slim go-anywhere construction, and amazing image quality?  If so, the Olympus FE-280 is the camera for you. Twenty-one shooting modes and Digital Image Stabilization Mode and Edit means you’ll get high-quality results in all shooting situations.

The Olympus FE-280 is available in four color options:  red, silver, blue, and black.

Features include….

* Superior image quality:  8-mega pixel CCD.
* 3x zoom with a precision-crafted Olympus lens that delivers sharper, clearer images
* 2.5″ High-Resolution LCD (230,000 pixels) view screen with Backlight Boost Button provides easy shooting and sharing of your images with family and friends.
* Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) permits you to freeze action shots and capture sharp, crisp images with high ISO sensitivity and faster shutter speeds. The DIS Edit feature allows you to fix blurry images right in the camera.
* The Face Detection feature tracks peoples’ faces within the frame, focusing and optimizing exposure for great portrait pictures.
* Perfect Shot Preview allows you to see the effects of different settings before you shoot by providing a live, multi-frame window on the LCD, letting you pick the perfect setting for that perfect shot.
* Perfect Fix instantly corrects your photos– lighten shadows, remove red-eye and eliminate blur all with the touch of a button, so that less-than-perfect shots can still turn out great.
* Take creative control with Program Auto Mode, allowing you to adjust settings like white balance and ISO.
* Display a clearer, brighter image on the LCD when previewing and capturing pictures or recording video in low light situations using Bright Capture Technology.
* Skip the user manual and learn as you go:  at the touch of a button the In-Camera Help Guide provides a brief description of camera settings and features, conveniently displayed on the LCD.
* Use any of 21 preset Shooting Modes, including the new Smile Shot, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, three Underwater shooting modes and more, and optimize the camera’s settings for any shooting situation to ensure the capture of a great shot.
* Shoot TV-quality movies.
* Quickly and easily find your favorite images using My Favorites, an in-camera album that stores your favorite images for easy sharing with family and friends.
* The FE-280’s TruePicTM III Image Processor, initially developed for the professional Digital SLR, delivers fantastic images with true-to-life color and sharp detail.
* The Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (included) provides the convenience and cost-savings of long-lasting, economical shooting power.

Technical Specifications Include….

* Size:  3.6” long, 2.2” high, .65” wide
* Weight:  3.8 oz
* Inputs:  USB cable (included)
* Outputs:  USB cable, RCA (audio/video) cable (also included)
* Display:  2.5” LCD
* Maximum Resolution:  230,000 pixels
* Self-Delay Timer:  12 seconds
* Resolution:  8 mega pixel
* Optical Sensor:  CCD
* Total Pixels:  8 million pixels
* Optical Zoom:  x3
* Digital Zoom:  x4
* Shutter Speed:  1/1000 second – 4 seconds
* Digital Video Format:  AVI JPEG
* Still Image Format:  JPEG
Video Resolutions:  640 x 480 - 30fps (SHQ), 320 x 240 - 15 fps (HQ), 160 x 120 - 15 fps (SQ)
* Nightshot:  Yes
* Date/Time Insert:  Yes

Most users love this model, and find it easy to use despite all the features.  However, some find the picture quality is not as good as was expected.

Nikon is a trusted brand in the digital camera industry. Some of the high end Nikons are staples of quality digital photography. One model in particular, though a little pricey for casual picture-takers, is a favorite among professionals and industry insiders: the Nikon D40.

The Nikon D40 is a 6.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. Pictures are taken in JPEG or NEF (RAW) format. The camera’s ISO equivalencies range from 200 to 1600. It has both programmed and automatic focus modes and exposure settings to ensure the very best photographs regardless of distance or lighting. It uses a Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm lens.

A sturdy camera, the Nikon D40 weighs in at one and a half pounds. Its physical dimensions are 3.7 in x 5 in x 2.5 in (HxWxD), making it a hard camera to fit into tight spaces, but also a hard camera to break. Users like the Nikon D40’s natural feel. It fits right into the photographer’s hands and doesn’t feel clumsy or bulky.

The Nikon D40 uses SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, or SecureDigital (SD) memory cards. It comes with A/V and USB cables, as well as a shoe cap, strap, eyepiece cover, dust cap, body cap, lens cap, and eyecup. All of this hardware makes the camera sound like serious business, and it is. This is no child’s toy. The Nikon D40 stands at the point where digital cameras start to get expensive. Its users would pay a higher price still for such crisp, clear photographs and easy-to-use extra features. This is one camera that’s worth the cost.

User sentiments are overwhelmingly positive. This camera is touted as the next step after mastering point-and-shoot. When the beginners get serious about taking great pictures, the Nikon D40 will be waiting for them. Customers insist that the camera is easy to use, even with all the extra features. You certainly don’t have to be a professional to take professional-quality photographs with the Nikon D40 digital camera.

User complaints are minimal. Some customers don’t like the fact that the D40 has only three auto focus points, while Nikon’s D80 digital camera has 11. There is also some concern over the way the D40 tends to wash people out in indoor photography, though this is easily remedied with the use of the camera’s “warm” photo editing tool.

True Nikon enthusiasts lament the fact that the D40 can only use auto focus lenses that have their own built-in auto focus motors, thus preventing the use of older Nikon lenses with this digital camera. These complaints are rare, though. Far more often, users say that they haven’t had any problems at all with the camera, and would pay the somewhat hefty price all over again.