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Are you selecting a camcorder from the myriad of brands and models? As it can turn out a baffling virgin experience, stick to the commonly known brands. Be wary of sales persons who try to get us to buy a cheaper but same' version. I was nearly hoodwinked once due to my limited budget but fortunately, as I was testing out the two versions, I noticed that they were made in different countries and the cheaper version was indeed not as same' in quality as the more expensive one.

Here are the five steps I take in purchasing a camcorder.

1. Try out the camcorder we will finally purchase and not just the demonstration sets. It is important for the camcorder to fit snugly in our hands and have all its controls easily within reach of our fingers. Do not get anything that requires a tripod to help us support its weight as it takes away some mobility. Do not get a camcorder that you will not be able to hold up for a long time. Although each clip lasts only a few seconds, we may need to keep the camcorder in a ready-to-shoot position for a longer duration. If you do find one that feels right and the clips come out nicely, try out other brands and models too before making a hasty decision.

2. Look out for these key functions. Ensure the start-stop-pause buttons are easily maneuvered and the mode clearly indicated on the display screen. Although many advise that the zoom function is not that important as the quality of the final movie depends more on the software used to edit and save it, it is one button I always consider. Imagine the scenario whereby we are not allowed to get within ten meters of the rostrum during our daughter's graduation ceremony. We would still be able to capture her clearly simply by zooming in on her. Check that the camcorder responds well to changes in the lighting too and that auto-flash is available.

3. Check out the accessories and post-purchase support. Does the camcorder require the saving of work on memory card, tape or diskette? Will the clips be easily read by our computer and editing software? Are spare batteries easily available and hold at least two hours? Can our camcorder plug and play? Are the spare parts easily available? Will we be able to get our camcorder easily repaired and at a reasonable cost? The answer to all the questions must be a reassuring yes'.

4. Post-recording: Does the camcorder assist ease of playback for review, keeping or deleting as we record? As a highly enthusiastic first-timer, I had two hours of clips for my first five-minute movie. Seven years later, now I plan my clips and delete any clip immediately if it will not be useful to my final movie. Most camcorders do not allow part-of-the-clip deletion, especially those which save on mini cassette-tape. We may override our previous clips but that may prove another danger. Another very important area worth investigating is whether the camcorder will work well with our present editing hardware and software. If we do not have any idea what editing software would be compatible, try to locate a computer shop which sells both camcorders and computers. Cajole the salesperson to put up a demonstration. If you plan your budget ahead of time, you may want to buy everything at a go and save time and energy trying to piece purchases together later.

5. Balance your budget and expenditure. Do not try to save the few tens on a foreign model that is unheard of as it would most likely mean that the accessories and post-purchase support are virtually none. I would rather wait a month more till the next pay check. Who knows? By then, there would be a more suitable model in the market or the prices may fall further!

Learn more about this author, Lokemun Magar.
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