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Is there a difference between miniDV cameras and (not-mini???)dvd cameras?

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Yes. "MiniDV" is the size of the tape. DVD cameras record to DVD. I've never heard of mini???, so can't help you there.

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What's the difference (if at all) between a "camcorder" and other dv cameras?

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Nothing. It's simply a word that people use. Perhaps you're asking about the difference between a camera that records to analog tape (VHS, Beta, Hi-8) and cameras that record to digital tape. If you are interested in detailed technical specs regarding analog and digital, do a search on Google. But a "camcorder" is simply what many people call a camera.

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what is a "single-chip" camera? what's the difference between this and multi-chip cameras?

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A "chip" or CCD (charge coupled device) is the technology for capturing images digitally. In a CCD sensor, every pixel's charge is transferred through a very limited number of output nodes (often just one) to be converted to voltage, buffered, and sent off-chip as an analog signal. All of the pixel can be devoted to light capture, and the output's uniformity (a key factor in image quality) is high.

In a three chip camera each of the primary colors has its own CCD with delivers better color. The bigger the chip, the better the image. Once again, google is a great place to find the detailed information about CCD's

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I am going to take cinema classes next sem. and I have to buy a (simple) minidv camera for the basic courses.
any suggestions (including prices...)?

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A great resource is http://www.camcorderinfo.com But you can also use this forum. Check here for topics called "camera", "starting camera" and things like "advice" and "question". Go back 5 to 8 pages and click on these topics. You will find several discussions about the cameras that people use and like.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Thanks!
I'll do just that.

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Life is definitely something that takes practice...