Media & equipment

1. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Unit 1
The Camcorder

2. Video Tapes:
Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
How They Work
Left and Right Audio Channels
Video Track
Time Track
Two separate audio tracks are recorded, a left and
right track.
Video, which is individual frames, 30 per second,
are recorded on a diagonal.
A time track is also recorded: 0:00:00: 00 First zero is hour,
minutes, seconds, frames (frames may only appear after it has been logged
and captured to a computer)
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3. Video Tapes: Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
6 second rule
Transition area
Before and after each recording allow at least six
seconds, with eight or ten being better, of tape to roll.
This has two purposes, one to allow for a good Log &
Capture which is how video can be transferred into the
computer for editing and two if transitions are desired
when editing.
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4. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Digital formats
MiniDV and DV8mm
Advantages
Outstanding picture and sound quality
IEEE-1394 (FireWire) connector
Small camcorder size
Disadvantages
Length of tape
Transfer to computer
is linear not by file,

5. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Non-videotape formats
Direct digital recording
DVD-RAM
Record on a DVD
Erase and re-use
DVD-R (DVD dash R)
Record on a DVD
Single-use
Internal hard drive
No tape or DVD
Connect directly to your editing system

6. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Common Microphones
•There is no perfect microphone for
all situations
Omnidirectional – collects sound from
all around; 360 degrees. Good for a
group
Unidirectional – collects most of the
sound from the front, and very little
from the back and sides.
Cardioid Pick-
up pattern
Lavaliere Microphone Shotgun Microphone 6

7. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Viewfinder and viewscreen
Viewfinder – small video monitor mounted on
camcorder, accessible by eyepiece
Viewscreen – larger (2”– 3”) LCD monitor mounted on
the side of the camcorder Good for battery
conservation and when in sunlight,
Viewscreen Viewfinder

8. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Headphones and speakers
Important for hearing audio while recording, especially
if external microphone is attached.

9. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Focus
Most camcorders have automatic focus and
manual focus. Manual focus
works better in situations
like these.
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10. Television Production: A Classroom Approach, 2nd edition
Important Operational Controls
Fade – pressing this button gradually changes
the picture to a background color. Both Fades
and graphics are NOT recommended to apply
using the camera. Better to add in post edit