Headshots Rentals

Pro Video

The popularity of video has exploded in the last few years due to websites like YouTube, the decrease in unit cost, and improved quality and features. While most units still use MiniDV tape as the primary storage media, we are now seeing the use of solid state memory. The systems we have listed for rentals represent a wide range of upper end systems, some of which provide good overall features for general recording and others that offer the most advanced features on the market today for pros with specific high end requirements.

To help you decide which is right for you, we have added a few basic summary points about each unit (listed with each rental item) and defined those parameters below. Please review both to ensure you are getting the correct unit for your needs.

Pro Video Selection Parameters

There are more than five parameters that define the features of any camcorder, whether it be the most basic or the most advanced available. However, by selecting five of the most common features, coupled with the rental rate (proportionate to retail cost), you get a strong sense of where the model is positioned in the low-medium-high scale of performance. These parameters are defined below.

Video Storage Method: Today's models feature mostly MiniDV tape storage for HD recording. The newest method of storing data is solid state media, which could be the well known CompactFlash card, the high capacity Sony SxS ExpressCards, or Panasonic P2 Memory Cards. Both methods will require the end user to transfer that data from the storage device to either a secondary storage device, or directly into a computer for editing. In all cases, a separate card or tape reader is not necessary, as the camcorder serves as a playback device as well.

Sensor Size: As in still cameras, video cameras have been the beneficiaries of larger, faster, more accurate sensors at steadily reducing costs. The 1/2" CCD's offer more pixels and a larger surface than the 1/6" sensors, and some applications demand the higher resolutions of the 1/2" sensors. Therefore, wherever the data is available, we have provided the relative sensor size and pixel count.

Resolution: Many of the units we offer can record in HD, either 1080i or 720p, and some in 1080p. It is generally understood that 1080i/p is higher resolution, but by its nature, still images from 1080i video have more jagged edges due to the refresh rate. 720p on the other hand refreshes the entire image up to 30 times per second, making stills of sports or rapid movement appear smoother. For continuous play, the human eye cannot see the difference, so both 720p and 1080i become one and the same.

Stills Capture: There are several ways that camcorders achieve this. Some have onboard media cards such as SD, CF or Memory Stick that still images are recorded to, and others record stills on MiniDV tape. Some do not record still images at all. This feature is useful for recording scene data that you do not necessarily want to include in the video files, such as your lighting set up, off camera details, etc. Note however that the pixel count of the still file is only that of the video sensor, and purists will argue that each device, video and still camera, are designed and built to do one thing well, and secondary functions are just that, secondary.

Shoulder Mount: If you plan to record in a free-flowing, walk-around style versus a static location, shoulder mount models are easier to use and produce a more stable result than a hand-held unit.