In her defense, it was a brand new camera.  It was much smaller than our old one.  (Why did I have to pick out the one camera that could so easily go unnoticed.)

It's NO fun if you lose your camera.

Is there something you can do in advance to retrieve a lost camcorder?

Let’s start with some easy stuff.

• Engrave your phone number on the bottom of the camera.

The person who stumbles across your lost camera, may be honorable and just.

Other people, however, have been so mistreated and abused in their lives,  that their human decency has been covered up by a hard-candy shell of maleficence.

To appeal to these people…

• Make a creative message that even the most jaded of human beings would have no choice but to do the right thing.

If I found this camera, I'm calling the owner immediately!

Now if a message like this doesn’t get somebody to pick up the phone, then they are truly bad people.

You can at least console in the knowledge that the Universe will eventually deal out some sweet karmic justice.

For those who have trouble seeing the picture, the example message is:

“Against my better judgement, I trusted this camera with my wife.  If you’re reading this now, then you still have time.  She hasn’t tracked you down yet.  For the love of God, call me and return my camera before she finds you.  Please. I know what she’s capable of.”

• The 4 types of recording media
• The Pros and Cons of each
• How to make an informed camcorder purchase

Now go out there, and make your old teacher proud!

This is the second part of a 3 part series dedicated to expanding your knowledge.

Get all the information you’ll need to make a smart choice when you buy your next camcorder.

Or, just learn how camcorders work.  This stuff is really cool- really.

but you must see this before you lay down your cool cash for those hot camcorder deals out there.

• Did you know  there are 3 different categories of camcorders?
• Can you tell me  the biggest thing to consider when looking for your next camcorder?
• Any idea why I’m grilling you like this?

This is Part 1 of 3 episodes that will help answer all these questions- and more!

I’ll give you the skinny on these new slim cams.

Sony DVC and TDK DVC Tapes

People ask me all the time, “What brand of tape is best?”

The answer is simple:

Buy the least expensive name brand tape that you can find.

There is ZERO difference in the picture quality between different brands of MiniDV tape.

• This is because your camera is recording a series of digital files to your tape.  the data is recorded digitally, and the information would be identical no matter what kind of tape is being used.

There is a slight difference in the integrity- or strength- of the tapes.  However, the differences should prove to be negligible for the amount of wear and tear a NORMAL user will subject them to.

For those of you who will insist on getting a real answer:

I recommend Panasonic AY-HDVM33AMQ and the SONY HDM63VG because they are produced with high tensile-strength backing, and they are factory scrubbed to ensure the absolute minimum amount of dust particles on the tape.

If you just took a note of the above tape models, then you’re really missing the point here.

Now, stop obsessing over this, and go make a fun movie!