MiniDV camcorders use cassette tapes to record video footage. These camcorders have been amongst the most popular in the last few years, although some camcorder manufacturers are beginning to stop production of these camcorders for home use. MiniDV is the least compressed format and so provides the highest quality video, perhaps the best of all the formats.
- MiniDV tapes are inexpensive and readily available MinDV tapes are compact and easy to store
- MiniDV is the only format which allows frame by frame editing
- Analogue connections - playback on TV, VCR and DVD for copying
- Supported by most video editing software
- Easy connection to a computer for editing and copying Tape can tangle or jam in the camcorder mechanism Inability to view a particular part of the footage without fast forwarding or rewinding to it
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HDV (High Definition Video) is a new format that allows you to record video in HD (High Definition). HDV camcorders use a standard MiniDV or HDVMini tape but there are some differences between the two. HDVMini tape is specially produced for HD video recording and is less prone to dropout than a MiniDV tape. HDV camcorders will record both in both SD and HD. If you are looking to edit your HD footage make sure you consider software that will handle HD video.
Both forms of Mini DV use Firewire to connect the camcorder to the computer to capture video. Firewire may also be referred to as "IEEE 1394" or "i.link"