CamChc.htm

General Observations and Recommendations

At least one digital camera is a MUST. This camera needs to be able to import video from a VHS source, like a VCR or VHS camera. Replacing all of your video cameras with inexpensive digital cameras ($349.00) over time is important. MiniDV video tapes cost a little bit more than any other format but are well worth it. Try to budget for enough tapes during an athletic season that you don't need to copy over the top of a previous contest.

But every coach needs to remember that regardless of the initial camera type and media, it is very important that you have some type of protocol to convert your game media to VHS tape. VHS tape is still the media of choice for exchange films and for players at home and in their dorms. DVD's are becoming more common, but for the next few years we will always need the capability of copying to VHS tape.

Camera and media types

VHS

Full size VHS cameras are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. However, they are rather large and will almost always require a tripod to use when filming a game. VHS media is the standard taping format that most of us have used for many years. Most of us have VHS video tape players and recorders at home. We rent movies on VHS. It is a very inexpensive format. Most of our players have VHS VCR's at home. VHS is an ANALOG format.

VHS-C

This format is similar to VHS, but uses a much smaller tape case. To view video from VHS-C cameras in a standard VHS VCR you must first put them in a tape "caddy". This format was invented to allow manufactures to make smaller video cameras. These smaller cameras are easier to hold for longer period of times then a standard VHS camera, but will obviously hold less video footage. It is the least favored media at Braintree Athletic Systems. VHS-C is an ANALOG format.

S-VHS

Much better quality than VHS. More expensive media. More expensive cameras. Better quality. S-VHS is an ANALOG format.

8mm

A different taping format than used with VHS cameras. Uses a different camera type and different media. Produces a better quality product than standard VHS. These tapes cannot be played directly in a standard VHS VCR. Most 8mm camera makers provide the purchaser with a cable to connect the camera to a standard VCR or television. This will allow the copying of the movie onto VHS tape or to simply view the tape. 8mm is an ANALOG format.

Hi8

Similar to the 8mm format. A slightly more expensive camera and media. Higher quality product. Same provisions needed to make copies to the standard VHS format as with 8mm. Hi8 is an ANALOG format. Most Hi8 cameras will allow the user to export an S-VHS signal.

Hi8/Digital

A totally different format! Most of these cameras can use both Hi8 and Hi8/Digital 8 tapes. The video produced by these cameras is very good regardless of which format. There is a difference however between standard Hi8 tapes and Hi8/Digital 8 tapes. Most Hi8 tapes can record for two hours. Hi8/Digital 8 should only make one hour recordings. Hi8/Digital 8 recordings can be sent from the Hi8/Digital 8 camera directly to a computer through a Firewire cable. Either format should allow the user to export an S-VHS signal or VHS signal to a VHS-VCR to make regular VHS video tapes. Hi8 is an analog format. Digital 8 is a digital format. Coaches must be careful when purchasing video tapes for this camera. Hi8 tapes are less expensive and will store at least two hours of video footage. However, the footage will be in an ANALOG format and you will not be able to add it directly to a computer without a little extra work. Digital 8 tapes are more expensive and store about fifty percent of the footage of a Hi8 tape. Video stored on a Digital 8 tapes is of a higher quality.

MiniDV

True digital format. The actual video produced with a MiniDV camera is similar (although slightly better) in quality to a Hi8/Digital camera. Some differences can be found when comparing the MiniDV's ability to shoot in darker places, better quality sound etc. But in general, the video is the same. MiniDV media is a little more expensive than Hi8 media. MiniDV will also export directly to a computer attached with Firewire. MiniDV cameras will also use cables to attach to standard VHS VCRs to make copies. MiniDV is a digital format.

	At least one digital camera is a MUST. This camera needs to be able to import video from a VHS source, like a VCR or VHS camera. Replacing all of your video cameras with inexpensive digital cameras ($349.00) over time is important. MiniDV video tapes cost a little bit more than any other format but are well worth it. Try to budget for enough tapes during an athletic season that you don't need to copy over the top of a previous contest.

	But every coach needs to remember that regardless of the initial camera type and media, it is very important that you have some type of protocol to convert your game media to VHS tape. VHS tape is still the media of choice for exchange films and for players at home and in their dorms. DVD's are becoming more common, but for the next few years we will always need the capability of copying to VHS tape.

*VHS*		Full size VHS cameras are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. However, they are rather large and will almost always require a tripod to use when filming a game. VHS media is the standard taping format that most of us have used for many years. Most of us have VHS video tape players and recorders at home. We rent movies on VHS. It is a very inexpensive format. Most of our players have VHS VCR's at home. VHS is an ANALOG format.

*VHS-C*		This format is similar to VHS, but uses a much smaller tape case. To view video from VHS-C cameras in a standard VHS VCR you must first put them in a tape "caddy". This format was invented to allow manufactures to make smaller video cameras. These smaller cameras are easier to hold for longer period of times then a standard VHS camera, but will obviously hold less video footage. It is the least favored media at Braintree Athletic Systems. VHS-C is an ANALOG format.

*S-VHS*		Much better quality than VHS. More expensive media. More expensive cameras. Better quality. S-VHS is an ANALOG format.

*8mm*		A different taping format than used with VHS cameras. Uses a different camera type and different media. Produces a better quality product than standard VHS. These tapes cannot be played directly in a standard VHS VCR. Most 8mm camera makers provide the purchaser with a cable to connect the camera to a standard VCR or television. This will allow the copying of the movie onto VHS tape or to simply view the tape. 8mm is an ANALOG format.

*Hi8*		Similar to the 8mm format. A slightly more expensive camera and media. Higher quality product. Same provisions needed to make copies to the standard VHS format as with 8mm. Hi8 is an ANALOG format. Most Hi8 cameras will allow the user to export an S-VHS signal.

*Hi8/Digital*		A totally different format! Most of these cameras can use both Hi8 and Hi8/Digital 8 tapes. The video produced by these cameras is very good regardless of which format. There is a difference however between standard Hi8 tapes and Hi8/Digital 8 tapes. Most Hi8 tapes can record for two hours. Hi8/Digital 8 should only make one hour recordings. Hi8/Digital 8 recordings can be sent from the Hi8/Digital 8 camera directly to a computer through a Firewire cable. Either format should allow the user to export an S-VHS signal or VHS signal to a VHS-VCR to make regular VHS video tapes. Hi8 is an analog format. Digital 8 is a digital format. Coaches must be careful when purchasing video tapes for this camera. Hi8 tapes are less expensive and will store at least two hours of video footage. However, the footage will be in an ANALOG format and you will not be able to add it directly to a computer without a little extra work. Digital 8 tapes are more expensive and store about fifty percent of the footage of a Hi8 tape. Video stored on a Digital 8 tapes is of a higher quality.

*MiniDV*		True digital format. The actual video produced with a MiniDV camera is similar (although slightly better) in quality to a Hi8/Digital camera. Some differences can be found when comparing the MiniDV's ability to shoot in darker places, better quality sound etc. But in general, the video is the same. MiniDV media is a little more expensive than Hi8 media. MiniDV will also export directly to a computer attached with Firewire. MiniDV cameras will also use cables to attach to standard VHS VCRs to make copies. MiniDV is a digital format.