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Techniques and Product Reviews

Hundreds of how-to articles and product reviews; audio/video software, video editing hardware and help with video lighting techniques.

Camcorder Reviews

  • Panasonic AG-HMC70 AVCHD PRO CamcorderPanasonic AG-HMC70 AVCHD PRO Camcorder
    A big camcorder is a professional camcorder. The layman often assumes this, and a large form factor camcorder can be useful, especially for making an impression on a client. Manufacturers are often caught up in miniaturizing, making their camcorders increasingly pocket-sized. The downside of this is you end up with ports disappearing, image stability issues and basic camcorder functions disappearing into cryptic menu settings...more
  • JVC Everio GZ-MG330 Hybrid CamcorderJVC Everio GZ-MG330 Hybrid Camcorder
    The GZ-MG330 sets its crosshairs precisely at the entry-level user. Its small size, low price and color options will most likely appeal to the family reunion shooter or to the non-technical members of Generation-Y who want to link their YouTube clips from their MySpace page. Such a customer on a limited budget will find value in the GZ-MG330...more
  • Canon Vixia HF10 CamcorderCanon Vixia HF10 Camcorder
    No more tape? Not for Canon's new Vixia HF10. It records directly to a built-in Flash memory. As if that weren't enough, the HF10 also offers high-definition video recording at a 1920x1080 resolution...more
  • Sony PMW-EX1 XDCAM CamcorderSony PMW-EX1 XDCAM Camcorder
    The rarified realm of professional video cameras used to require an outlay of $60,000 and up, and this was minus a lens. Adding decent glass to that package got you to $80,000 or more easily. But you got what you paid for when it came to image quality. The challenge of the independent video producer was to always balance the quality of the image with the cost of the gear, and most often quality lost. Sony's Broadcast division has stepped up to try to meet that challenge: to make broadcast quality images, but to make them for less than $7,000. The result of that effort is the PMW-EX1...more
  • JVC GY-HD200u HDV CamcorderJVC GY-HD200u HDV Camcorder
    Manufacturers sometimes like to slap the word "pro" on their camcorders as a way to compensate for less than professional capabilities. Clearly, this is not the case with JVC's recent addition to their professional products line, the GY-HD200u high definition camcorder...more
  • Sony HVR-V1U HDV CamcorderSony HVR-V1U HDV Camcorder
    Sony's latest addition to its professional HDV camcorder lineup is the HVR-V1U. This camcorder is packed with a host of features designed for serious amateurs and budding professionals...more
  • Canon XH-A1 HDV CamcorderCanon XH-A1 HDV Camcorder
    We had the opportunity to join about 20 journalists and critics at a special Canon event to usher in the XH-A1 and XH-G1 camcorders. We realized just how confident Canon is that these two camcorders will make a huge splash in the market. But, are they for everyone?...more
  • Panasonic AG-HVX200 DVCPRO HD CamcorderPanasonic AG-HVX200 DVCPRO HD Camcorder
    Panasonic has bypassed making an HDV camcorder and has gone straight for the jugular by introducing its full bandwidth HD camcorder...more

Comparision Shopping

Shop Videomaker for Your Next Camcorder or Video Editing Gear!

When you shop at Videomaker.com you'll find the right camcorder from the right seller at the right price. That's because Videomaker now provides the fastest, most convenient way to locate and research the best camcorders and accessories at the best prices online. As a subscriber you'll have access to our extensive reviews and be able to shop and compare with the click of a button. While you're at it, get the lowdown on sellers from buyers just like you. From camcorders to tripods to editing software and computers, you'll find everything you need in Videomaker's new comparison shopping service.

Start comparison shopping now!

Call for Entries: 21st Annual Videomaker Short Video Contest

Call for Entries open art

It's time once again for the Videomaker/Canon Short Video Contest. You've got the video, we've got the prizes - go ahead ... take the chance. Whether you operate in standard definition or have taken the HD plunge, we can't wait to see your entry. Don't wait around, though - to qualify for the contest, your entry must be received in our office by Friday, October 31, 2008, at 5PM Pacific Time... more

Featured Article

duplication open art CD/DVD Duplication Services versus Home-Use Duplicators

A guide to which DVD mass-production option works best for you.

You've burned a master disc of your pièce de résistance and are ready to ship it all over. Just one problem: you have only one disc, and burning hundreds by yourself isn't feasible. Or is it?... More

Video Production Classes and Workshops

Videomaker Training Events 2008

If you have questions, it helps to ask an expert in person. In addition to our published video educational resources, we offer video production Workshops, Summits and Conferences. By attending one of our Chico, CA video production workshops, you can learn video editing, lighting, and camcorder techniques while you network with your peers. To find a Videomaker educational event coming to a city near you, see our schedule of upcoming video production events!

Register Now For Our 2008 Events

Videomaker's Vidcast

Segment 1 Tips and Tricks

Jennifer shows you how to make sound effects free of royalties and copyright problems.

Videomaker's Tips and Tricks brings you the best in video production techniques.

Videomaker's Tips and Tricks is now available in a higher resolution, with download times remaining low. You asked for it, and you got it! See more detailed video by clicking on the Hi-Res button below.

New Video Equipment

  • Cerise Eight-Core WorkstationCerise Eight-Core Workstation
    It used to be that the best way to guarantee best performance in a computer for editing was to build it yourself. Don't get us wrong - it's still fun to build systems from time to time, but what if you need to just start editing instead of spending quality time with a screwdriver? That's why there are high-end system integrators like Cerise, building solid systems by hand to serve the requirements of pro digital photographers and video producers...more
  • G-Technology G-DRIVE Mini 500GB Hard DriveG-Technology G-DRIVE Mini 500GB Hard Drive
    There's a ton of external hard drives on the market. The way to stand out: offer more capacity or make it cheaper.

    G-Technology has taken the offer-more-capacity route, with its 500GB G-DRIVE mini hard drive. It's a handsome external drive that has Mac written all over it, from the cheese-grater front panel to preformatting for journaled HFS Plus (the primary disk format used by Mac OS, starting with version 10.3)...more

  • Xerox D103 DVD DuplicatorXerox D103 DVD Duplicator
    When it comes to disc duplicators, it's a topic that we could dismiss easily enough. "Ah, it's all been done." Sure, they all pretty much do the same thing - make copies of DVDs (or CDs, or Blu-ray Discs, if so equipped... whatever). However, Vinpower (licensing the Xerox brand name) has added a few new wrinkles that come through in the D103 duplicator...more
  • Litepanels Micro LED LightLitepanels Micro LED Light
    The main problem we have with on-camera lights is the same problem we have with on-camera microphones. By definition, they're almost always in the wrong place. In placing the light right over the lens, you end up with a straight-on, deer-in-the-headlights look that flatters no one. However, when shooting conditions are so dark that your choice is between bad picture and no picture, it's always best to go with the former...more
  • Primera Bravo SE Blu DuplicatorPrimera Bravo SE Blu Duplicator
    When, exactly, does the time come for a duplicator? If you're making money with video, and you've got a lot of discs to ship out to a lot of places, and burning them individually would take too long or be too tedious, but you need too few discs to bother taking the job to a duplication house... a duplicator is your friend...more

Community

You can connect with people who make video like you do. People that use the same editing software package, have the same camcorder, produce the same type of videos or you can find people that have all three things in common. You can engage in discussions about your favorite genre or about your most admired technique.

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