This is the begining of a series about how to get started using video in agility. Including processing the video on your Windows based computer, using open source software tools that you can download off the internet.

First you need to get a camcorder. The main differentiating factor is what format they record the video in and what they record it on.

• Digital 8 - Old outdated technology. No reason to get a camcorder that uses this.
• Mini DV - Uses tapes called MiniDV. The most popular format with the most software tools that support it. Very easy to hook your camera up to your computer and transfer and edit the video.
  
• DVD - These camcorderc record to directly to small DVD discs. They record in the MPEG 2 video format. No straight forward way to get video into the computer. Editing options are also limited compared to Mini DV.
• HDD - These camcorders record to a hard drive in the camcorder. Again it is in MPEG 2 video format. Easy to transfer to the computer. Editing options are limited, but expanding.
• HDV - Uses the same tape as MiniDV. Records in High Definition MPEG 2 Transport Streams. Easy to transfer to computer. Need specialized software to edit.
  

My first camcorder was a DVD variety. It worked very well for what I was doing, which was transferring runs to DVD for people. Since they were already in DVD format. My second and current camcorder is an HDV type. Both need not so common software to work with the video. That I will discuss in a future article.

I recommend for most people to get a Mini DV camcorder. Prices range from a couple hundred dollars up into the thousands. The format has been around for over a decade. It is very robust and easy to get started with.

It is easy to connect to your computer and edit the video. Now that we have a camcorder, the next article will teach you how to hook your new Mini DV camcorder to your computer and transfer the video. In the meantime shoot some video!