• Digital Video Camera Formats

• Old-School Analogue Video Cameras

• Lenses & Lighting

• CCD Sensors and Resolution

• Viewfinders & Viewscreens

• Microphones & Sound Quality

• Inputs & Outputs

• Essential Manual Settings

• Still Photos & Special Effects

• Get the Right Video Camera Accessories

• Find Video Cameras on eBay Australia

• Buy with Confidence

• Need More Help?

• Legal Disclaimer

Digital Video Camera Formats

Digital Video Camera Formats

Master movies or start editing home videos on your computer with a digital video camera! They offer better colour and clarity than analogue video cameras and most can produce studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution. The non-linear digital video (DV) format makes choosing scenes, selecting precise edit points, and adding special effects with your computer so easy.

Digital8

Digital8 makes a great choice for people who want to upgrade from Hi 8 or 8mm, make home movies, or buy on a budget. It plays back and records to all your old Hi8 and 8mm tapes and costs less than MiniDV. Most will allow you to produce small video clips compressed for the Internet and many have a still photo feature. Like MiniDV, it can produce studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution. Keep in mind that digital records faster than analogue; expect to get 60 minutes of digital recording time out of a 120-minute Hi8 tape.

DVD

Home users and professionals who want the ability to record directly to 8cm DVD-R or DVD-RW discs might consider buying a DVD video camera or camcorder. Some popular brands include Sony and Hitachi. They have similar features to mid-range MiniDV and Digital8 video cameras, with a good number of features and special effects, and the DVD media won't degrade over time like a cassette. Finalise the disc (a process that takes about 10 minutes) to play back your recordings on a set-top or computer DVD player. An 8cm DVD-R costs about the same amount as a MiniDV tape and a 8cm DVD-RW costs roughly twice as much. Spend the extra money on DVD-RW discs if you want to record in DVD-VR mode, which gives you an easier way to add titles and reorder segments.

MicroMV

For trendsetters and people who want a lightweight camera to take on holidays should consider MicroMV. Sony's line of ultraportable video cameras measures about 10cm high by 5cm wide and 7.5cm deep. MicroMV compresses video more than MiniDV video cameras and although some video-editing software can handle the format immediately, you often need to convert it to a usable format before attempting to edit video on your PC.

MiniDV

From budget buyers to professional videographers, MiniDV video cameras work for almost anyone. They have more sophisticated lenses and effects than Digital8 video cameras and come in two sizes: standard and ultracompact. Standard size models cost less and have large, easy-to-use buttons and controls. Most will allow you to produce small video clips compressed for the Internet and still photos. Like Digital8 it can produce studio-quality video with 500 lines of resolution. Some popular brands include Sony, Panasonic, and Canon.

Old-School Analogue Video Cameras

Old-School Analogue Video Cameras

Although this buying guide concentrates on digital video cameras, manufacturers still sell old-school analogue video cameras and of course you can find them on eBay Australia.

• 8mm: Tape format with 270 lines of resolution (studio-quality recordings have 500 lines of resolution) and 120 minutes of recording time at standard speed. You can only play back video by connecting the video camera to a TV or VCR.

• Hi 8: Record to Hi 8 tape at 400 lines of resolution or to 8mm tape at 240 lines of resolution.

• VHS: Use standard VHS tapes to record your favourite shows or your own home videos. The format uses 1/2-inch (1.25cm) videotape, offers 240 lines of resolution, and plays back in any VCR.

• S-VHS: Super VHS tapes look exactly the same as standard VHS tapes but offer 400 lines of resolution. Although S-VHS VCRs can play back standard VHS tapes, only a few standard VCRs can play back S-VHS tapes.

• VHS-C: Compact VHS cassette tapes come in a smaller casing than standard VHS. Like its big brother, the 1/2-inch (1.25cm) videotape format offers 240 lines of resolution. A VCR needs an adapter to play back VHS-C tapes.

You'll need additional hardware to transfer video from your analogue video camera to a PC. Some people rely on a video capture card to digitise and compress video while others prefer a device, such as Pinnacle Studio Moviebox DV or Dazzle Video Bridge, that can attach to the PC via FireWire or USB. Devices often include bundled video-editing software. Make sure your system meets recommended system requirements before you buy.

Lenses & Lighting

Lenses & Lighting

Compare video camera optics by looking at optical zoom, lux ratings, and available manual settings.

Zoom in on a good lens

Video cameras have two types of zoom: optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom represents how much a lens can zoom without enhancement. The more optical zoom your lens can tackle, the more flexibility you have while shooting close-ups or at a distance from your subject. A 10x minimum optical zoom works best for most consumers. Ignore digital zoom numbers while shopping; digital zoom enlarges pixels and large amounts can distort an image.

Lux explained

Lux (lumens per square metre) measures low-light sensitivity. It indicates how much light a video camera needs to record a usable image. Generally, you'll want your video camera to have a lux/low-light sensitivity rating of seven or lower because lower ratings offer better performance in low-light situations. For example, video cameras with a night vision/night shot feature have the ability to shoot usable video in the dark at zero lux. Lowering your lux setting and shutter speed produces better colour than using pre-set low-light modes. People who plan to frequently shoot in low light should look for a video camera with a built-in light or an accessory shoe that can accept an add-on.

CCD Sensors and Resolution

CCD Sensors and Resolution

The quality of your video depends on your video camera's charge coupled device (CCD). The CCD, an electronic sensor, converts light information into pixels to produce images. More pixels equal higher resolution. Higher resolution equals higher quality. Look at the number of CCDs in a camera, the size of each CCD, and the number of effective pixels for each sensor when comparing product specifications.

• CCD count: Video cameras can use one CCD to reproduces all colours or three CCDs, with each CCD reproducing a separate colour (red, green, and blue). Using three CCDs improves colour quality, but also increases price.

• CCD size: The CCDs in consumer video cameras range in size from 1/6-inch (42mm) to 1/3-inch (83mm). A larger CCD offers better performance, typically offering a higher number of effective pixels.

• Effective pixels: CCDs use some pixels to output image data (effective pixels) and some to filter the image. Look at effective pixels to judge image quality. Average home users should look for a minimum 300,000 effective video resolution on a single CCD. People looking for a professional video camera will need three CCDs with minimum 250,000 effective pixels per sensor or a single CCD with minimum 690,000 effective pixels.

Viewfinders & Viewscreens

Viewfinders & Viewscreens

Most video cameras have a viewfinder, a small monitor that you can look through to frame a shot. They work extremely well in brightly-lit areas where viewscreens can look washed out. Although most viewfinders operate in colour some semi-pros prefer black and white, which offers better contrast and allows a videographer the ability to quickly pinpoint overexposed areas.

A small LCD viewscreen serves the same function as a viewfinder, but provides a larger image. You may have trouble seeing the screen in bright light, so make sure you can adjust screen brightness in outdoor settings. Viewfinder size starts at 2.5 inches (5cm). This size works best for most people, offering a good screen viewing area. Larger LCDs require more power, which decreases the amount of shooting time you'll get out of a battery.

Look for a touch viewscreen if you want the ability to navigate menus and spot focus from your video camera's LCD display.

Microphones & Sound Quality

Microphones & Sound Quality

Digital8 and MiniDV video camera microphones record 12-bit or 16-bit audio. 16-bit recording have CD-quality stereo sound while 12-bit recordings capture one stereo channel and leave the other channel available for music or voiceovers, which you can add when you edit. DVD video cameras provide stereo Dolby Digital sound.

Manufacturers place built-in microphones on the top or on the front of a video camera. A front-mounted directional microphone can capture good audio from the subject of a video and top-mounted mikes often get better audio from the videographer. If you going to be recording a lot of speeches, consider a zoom microphone to better your chances of capturing every word.

Moviemakers should invest in a good external microphone and a video camera with a minijack microphone connection. If your video camera accepts an accessory shoe you can also use it to attach a microphone. Prosumer-level cameras can also accept high-quality XLR microphones.

Inputs & Outputs

Inputs & Outputs

Connect your digital video camera to your computer, television, VCR, or analogue video camera.

• IEEE 1394: Transfer your video footage from your video camera to your compatible PC over a high-speed IEEE 1394 connection. Sony calls the standard "i.Link" and Apple calls it "FireWire".

• USB 2.0: DVD video cameras typically transfer video to a compatible PC via high-speed USB 2.0 instead of IEEE 1394.

• A/V: Hook your video camera up to a TV or VCR with standard RCA connectors.

• S-video: Connect your video camera to your TV or VCR over an S-video cable.

If your video camera supports analogue-to-digital conversion, digitise your old footage by connecting your analogue video camera to the A/V input or S-video input on your new video camera.

Essential Manual Settings

Essential Manual Settings

Make the most of your lens' abilities with must-have manual adjustment settings.

• Aperture: Adjust how much light reaches the video camera's CCD(s). Look for a maximum aperture of f1.4 or f1.6 for the best low-light performance.

• Shutter speed: Increase or decrease the time your video camera spends recording a frame. Use a faster shutter speed to get the best results when shooting moving objects.

• White balance: Tell your video camera what white looks like in your scene's lighting and get perfect colour reproduction in any setting. Some video cameras even have presets for sunny, cloudy, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting.

• Image stabilisation: Compensate for shaky handheld camera movement or wind, especially while you zoom in for a close-up.

All video cameras provide automatic focus, a feature that selects the subject in the foreground of a video for you. Professionals and hobbyists should look for a video camera with a focus ring or dial to manually shift focus. Also look for a professional video camera with a threaded barrel that can accept filters and lens converters

Still Photos & Special Effects

Still Photos & Special Effects

Many video cameras have the ability to take still photos or create short video clips compressed for the Web. DVD video cameras store the stills and clips on a memory card or record directly to DVD while Digital8 and MiniDV video cameras use memory cards exclusively. Don't plan on replacing your still camera with your video camera, though. You'll get better resolution and optics out of a standalone digital camera.

Video cameras can also come with a variety of built-in special effects. Standard options include:

• Fade: Gradual dimming effect often used to change between scenes.

• Wipe: Pushes a scene to one side.

• Sepia: Removes colour from a picture, adding a brown tint to give an image an antique look.

• Mosaic: Breaks images into small squares.

• Titleing: Allows users to create on-screen titles, captions, and comments.

• Date/time stamp: Records date and time information on the corner of a video.

• Night vision: Ability to shoot usable video in the dark. Video takes on a green tint.

Your video-editing software will have similar special effects.

Get the Right Video Camera Accessories

Get the Right Video Camera Accessories

Complement your video camera with these must-have accessories and make sure you have the right gear for every shoot.

• Blank tapes: In order to record you'll need blank media. You'll want a couple hours worth of tape to get started. Plan your projects ahead of time and know how many extra tapes you'll need to bring to each shoot.

• Tripod: Keep your camera steady and avoid shaky handheld camera movement. A tripod with a fluid head will give you the smoothest motion.

• Case: Protect your new video camera with a simple carrying case, shoulder bag, or hard case.

• Extra batteries: You can expect to get about an hour of power out of the battery that comes with your video camera. Keep one or two spares in your camera bag so you can shoot as long as you want.

• Memory cards: Stock up on memory cards used by video cameras with a still photo feature. You'll find plenty of CompactFlash, MultiMedia, Secure Digital, Memory Sticks, and xD Picture Cards on eBay Australia that you can also use with compatible MP3 players, PDAs, and digital cameras.

• Microphone: Get the best audio possible with an external microphone. Pro-level video cameras usually accept high-quality XLR microphones. Make sure you have enough XLR cable and an adapter if necessary.

• Cables: To transfer video from your digital video camera to your PC over a high-speed IEEE 1394 (a.k.a. FireWire) connection, you'll need an IEEE 1394 cable. You may also want a set of standard RCA cables to connect your video camera to a TV or VCR.

• Computer necessities: If your computer already supports the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) standard you don't need any additional hardware to transfer digital video from your video camera to your PC. If your computer doesn't support IEEE 1394, install an inexpensive PCI card. You may also want a designated video card to process your movies.

• Video-editing software: Point, click, and edit. Install easy-to-use video editing software to organise your footage, insert transitions and special effects, or add music.

Find Video Cameras on eBay Australia

Find Video Cameras on eBay Australia

Head over to eBay Australia's Cameras & Accessories portal, click Video Cameras & Accessories, and use the following tips to find the video camera you need.

• Categories: Lists of links on the left side of each page will help you logically sort item listings. You'll find category links for Digital video cameras, Professional Video, Accessories and more. You can narrow down your choices even more by clicking on any sub-category links for particular brands or item types.

• Keyword Search: Let eBay Australia find items for you by entering the keywords you want to find into the Finder's Keywords box or into the general eBay Australia search box. For example if you are looking for a Sony handycam, type “Sony handycam” (without quotation marks) into the search box. Visit eBay Australia's Search Tips page for more advice about searching with keywords.                                      

If you can't find exactly what you want, don't give up hope. Search eBay Stores - it's like walking into a virtual electronics superstore! Tell the eBay Australia community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now or save a search on My eBay and eBay Australia will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy with Confidence

Buy with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay Australia item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay Australia sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Australia and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,500.

eBay Australia Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Need More Help?

Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Australia veteran with just the information you're looking for!

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.