Even if your phone or digital camera is capable of capturing video clips, a dedicated camcorder will do better. But first, such a camera must be chosen wisely.
Instructions
Step 1
If your computer has a TV tuner or just a video capture card, consider purchasing a VHS-C, Video-8 or Hi8 analog camcorder. They are equipped with very good lenses with significant aperture. Such devices are no longer produced, but can be purchased at an online auction at very low prices. Be sure to ask your dealer if the camera's rotating video heads are worn out. If it is of the VHS-C standard, require a VCR adapter in the kit (provided you have one) - this will slow down further wear on the camera heads.
Step 2
In the absence of a video capture card in your computer, limit your choice only to digital models, since storing records directly on the media with which the camera works is not only expensive, but also inconvenient. Devices that shoot on DVDs are very convenient. They can also work with rewritable discs, which allows you to use the media again after rewriting information into a computer. But remember that accidentally shutting down the camera can damage the disc. To read the recording on a computer on which you cannot run the software supplied with the device (for example, running under the Linux operating system), you will have to perform a finalization operation using the camera. After that, it is impossible to add anything to the disc until it is erased (if it is rewritable), but you can read it on anything (computer, household DVD-player).
Step 3
MiniDV and Digital8 cameras record in digital form on special cassettes. Devices of the second format are able to read cassettes of analog Video-8 and Hi8 formats, as well as to digitize them. Most of these cameras are not only incompatible with Linux, but also require the machine to have an uncommon FireWire interface.
Step 4
Cameras that record footage to a memory card or built-in hard drive are very interesting. They are produced by a large number of companies, from well-known to little-known Chinese ones. Among them there are those that use regular USB instead of the FireWire interface, and some of them are even compatible with Linux, at least when using a card reader.
Step 5
Remember that any concealed camcorders disguised as, say, fountain pens are prohibited by current legislation.
