Over the years, a lot has changed in regards to video technology. The once cumbersome, shoebox-sized camcorders are now so small you can literally fit them in your front pocket. Media has evolved from the lackluster VHS and Hi8 formats to hard drives, CF and SD cards, making it possible to store hours of footage on a memory card no larger than a coin, while never having to sacrifice picture quality due to generational loss.

No matter the changes in video technology, Videomaker has been dedicated to helping you, our readers, find the answers to your questions. Throughout the years, our goal has remained the same: to provide you with top-notch information on video equipment and technology; tips and tutorials for making better videos; and a community that can help one another become the best at their craft. But most importantly, our goal is to meet your video needs. One way we do this is by listening to what you have to say.

A Closer Look

A look at our reader survey results show that your individual equipment needs and instructional needs, are as unique as each of your projects. Oftentimes, the wide variety of equipment choices can leave you wondering which new purchases will make you the happiest, and which ones will sorely disappoint. In times of uncertainty, it's not uncommon for you to seek additional information from friends, coworkers, tech sites and magazines, such as Videomaker.

"For me, the most difficult part of buying new gear is trying to make decisions about equipment that I am not familiar with," says David Marks, a woodworker gearing up to create his own educational DVDs. "As a master woodworker I can evaluate a woodworking machine and decide whether or not it will give me the performance I am looking for. In the world of computers, I am a beginner, so I need to spend a lot of time doing research before making a purchase."

So, how much time is needed to research costly gear? When we asked the Videomaker community how long you might spend researching a $1,000 purchase, the average reader responded with three weeks or more.

While 26.2% of our readers have received formal video training, and 26.7% have at least received some, almost half of our readers have no formal video training whatsoever. Fortunately, a lack of formal training doesn't inhibit our readers from wanting to pursue video production and perfect their craft. In fact, despite formal training, or the lack thereof, 82.3% of you have considered turning your hobby into a business.

"I am a beginner," says Karetta Crooks Charles, Communications and Advocacy Officer at Saint Lucia National Trust, " I decided to start [producing video] because it will be a useful tool to increase my organization's visibility, as well as improve our advocacy mandate as we strive to make people more aware of the importance of protecting the environment".

Camcorders

Since the camcorder is an essential piece to the video production puzzle, we were pleased to see that our surveys showed 100% of our readers owning at least one. 33.3% of readers own two camcorders. 22.6% own three, and an astonishing 27.5% own four or more camcorders.

When trying to decide on a camcorder purchase, a common question we receive from our readers is "Which camcorder is best?" And while there is no definite answer, as each person's needs and budget vary, our surveys have shown that the majority of our readers choose Canon (47.3%) or Sony (51.4%), with Panasonic (24.7%) being the most common third option.

Dave Snow from Los Altos, California told us that he just recently started using a Canon EOS 7D HDSLR for his creative shoots.

"It definitely lives up to the hype. The video is gorgeous, and having the ability to really control the camera settings and lenses gives a videographer wide latitude for creative expression. I've also found that the DSLR format attracts a lot less attention from bystanders, which is helpful for staying focused on the shoot. Video DSLRs are great for travel too. You still need a good tripod, but the combo is small and inconspicuous enough to go just about anywhere."

Cynthia Cortez and business partner Angelica Huerta, also find the smaller sized camcorders preferable.

"I primarily have used an Everio JVC digital camcorder, but I am now using a Sony HVR-A1U," says Cortez, who recently purchased the Sony HVR-A1U in August 2010. "I like the small size of the Sony camera. It makes it highly portable and easy to use for long-term filming." However, Cortez also mentions that the size tends to be a problem from time to time, because "it weighs so little, making it difficult for balancing while filming."

Other readers, like Chris Wadden of Pasadena, California, prefer to have multiple camcorders at their disposal, depending on their needs.

"I use a Sony HDR-HC7 with a lot of ancillary equipment. I have a variety of tripods to provide unusual points of view," says Wadden.

He also purchased a pocket camcorder for getting certain on-the-go shots.

"I bought a FLIP video camera to carry around with me all the time to catch those unique moments. I love the convenience and simplicity, but I would like a few more features."

Of those owning camcorders, 51.9% of you own both standard definition and high definition camcorders, while 33.6% own standard definition camcorders and 13% own HD camcorders only. Interestingly, 1.5% of you weren't sure what kind of camera you owned.