- About DV
- Matching a DV Camcorder to Your Shooting Style
- Access to Controls
- Camcorder Resolution and Picture Quality
- What Are NTSC/PAL/SECAM Broadcast Formats?
- What Do You Need to Know About Scanning Modes?
- Do You Need Automatic Camcorder Controls?
- Optical vs. Digital Zoom
- Audio Options
- Getting DV into Your Computer
- Your Mission
Access to Controls
Especially if you're shooting one-person news style, you must be able to work all the controls easily as you cradle the camcorder in your hands, or rest it on your shoulder. You'll probably prefer camcorders that divide functions between your right and left hands—with all of them easy to reach, so that you don't have to take your attention from the eyepiece to make adjustments.
Camcorders vary considerably in the placement of their controls. As you hold the camcorder, note the location of the controls you'll use most frequently. Obviously, one of the most important ones is the Record Start/Stop button—usually bright red in color.