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A tapeless camcorder is a camcorder that does not use videotape for recording video. A modern tapeless camcorder records video as digital files onto random access media like optical discs, hard disk drives and solid-state flash memory.

The technique exists throughout the range of camcorders; inexpensive flash memory units, while not particularly high quality, can be used as essentially disposable substitutes for a more expensive DVD or MiniDV camcorder; similar flash technology is used on semi-pro and high-end pro cameras for ultrafast transfer of high-bandwidth HDTV content. Hard drives can also be used.

Using DVD media as a base for a camcorder is becoming increasingly popular due to the convenience of being able to drop a disc into the family DVD player; however, DVD capability, due to the limitations of the format, is largely limited to consumer-level equipment targeted at people who are not likely to spend any great amount of effort editing their video.

Most consumer-level tapeless camcorders use MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or its derivatives as encoding formats. They are normally capable of still-image capture to JPEG format additionally.

Consumer-grade tapeless camcorders include a USB port to transfer video onto a computer. Professional models include other options like SDI or HDMI. Some tapeless camcorders are equipped with a FireWire port to ensure compatibility with tape-based DV and HDV formats.

Contents 1 Media 1.1 Optical discs 1.1.1 Professional Disc 1.1.2 Blu-ray Disc 1.1.3 DVD disc 1.2 Hard disk drive 1.3 Built-in drive 1.4 Removable drive 1.5 Memory card 1.5.1 P2 1.5.2 SxS 1.5.3 SDHC 2 See also 3 References

[edit] Media

[edit] Optical discs

These include Professional Disc, Blu-ray Disc and DVD disc (including the small 8cm variant).

[edit] Professional Disc

Pros:

• Reliable high-quality media in a protective cartridge
• Fast data transfer rate
• An established format in ENG applications

Cons:

• Expensive
• Susceptible to vibration
• Requires a special disc reader

[edit] Blu-ray Disc

Pros:

• More affordable than Professional Disc
• Relatively reliable with scratch-protective coating
• Fast data transfer rate
• Recorded disc can be played back in a consumer Blu-ray player
• Discs can be used as immediate backup media

Cons:

• Expensive
• Susceptible to vibration
• Capacity of 8cm variant is limited to 7.5GB

[edit] DVD disc

Pros:

• DVDs are familiar to most consumers, thus considered user-friendly
• Recordable DVDs are relatively cheap
• Immediate playback of recorded disc in almost any DVD or Blu-ray player
• Discs can be used as immediate backup media, can be stored separately from a camcorder

Cons:

• The longevity of recordable DVDs is argued to be much shorter than expected^[1]
• Rewritable DVDs cost more than write-once discs
• DVDs have to be "finalized" to be played back on set-top players
• DVDs with high definition recordings cannot be played back on regular DVD players
• A single-sided single-layer 8 cm DVD can fit only 1.4GB of data
• DVDs are susceptible to vibration
• 8 cm DVDs cannot be used in most slot-loading drives and may even damage the drive

[edit] Hard disk drive

[edit] Built-in drive

Pros:

• Higher capacity than other media types, which allows for longer continuous recording.
• Faster data transfer rate than DVDs and memory cards; may require less time for uploading video on a computer than a memory card.

Cons:

• Sensitive to atmospheric pressure. Most HDD-based camcorders cannot be operated at altitudes above 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
• Vulnerable to mechanical shock or fast movement.
• To transfer video to a computer the camcorder must be connected with a USB cable. Usage of an AC power adapter is often needed as well.

[edit] Removable drive

Removable HDDs are used in professional applications. When attached to a tape-based camcorder, a removable HDD offers fast direct-to-edit workflow and also acts as a duplicate media. When attached to a tapeless camcorder, a removable HDD offers redundant storage and often higher capacity than a memory card.

[edit] Memory card

Utilizing solid-state flash technology, memory cards offer rewritable storage in a compact form factor with no moving parts.

Historically, flash memory capacity and pricing have improved steadily since introduction to the consumer market.

Pros:

• Do not require time for spin-up and initialization, always ready for recording.
• Not vulnerable to magnetic fields.^{[citation needed]}
• Can withstand a wider range of air pressure and humidity than HDDs and tapes.
• The camera is more likely to survive being dropped than DVD, miniDV tape, and hard disk, which all have very delicate write/record head components.
• Can store mixed media content, including still images (snapshot photos or still-frame captures).

Cons:

• Compatibility issues: may need a proprietary reader
• Vulnerable to electrical damage, such as static discharge.
• Not yet proven to be reliable archival media.

[edit] P2

[edit] SxS

[edit] SDHC

[edit] See also

• AVCHD
• HDV
• XDCAM
• DVCPRO P2
• Editcam
• Mobile phone

[edit] References

1. ^ Dixon, Douglas (September 2003). "DVD "rot": DVD Longevity and Reliability". http://www.manifest-tech.com/media_dvd/dvd_compatibility.htm. 

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