Learn About HD Camcorder Terminology

AVCHD - This technology will make video files easier and also compress them to a smaller size. You can record the highest resolution HD vidoes and burn the video to CD. Compare this to HD.

Digital Image Stabilization - HD camcorders can often be difficult to hold steady for long periods of time. Image stabilization technology helps the user control the camcorder, and helps to minimize camcorder movement by digitally stabilizing the picture.

Lines of Resolution - This is the quality of resolution as measured by the number of horizontal lines. Normally, when you compare the higher the number of lines, and therefore resolution, the sharper the image. Standard resolutions range from 250 lines for standard VHS quality to over 500 lines for digital quality.

MegaPixels -HD camcorders are commonly rated by the number megapixels. The number of megapixels are determined by multiplying the number of pixels high times the number of pixels high. The higher the number of pixels the camcorder has, the greater the resolution and image quality.

Night Recording Found on many camcorders and will let the user record images in low light without sacrificing color. Some camcorders will also come with a built-in video light for illuminating very dark scenes.

Time Lapse Recording - This is a system on your HD camcorder that will periodically automatically record a few frames of video in order to compress time. For example, a time lapse recording of 1 second every minute will compress an hour of high definition video into a 1-minute video recording.