Model 163 Moviecorder 8 camcorder
(160-0864)                Hints and Tips              Faxback Doc. # 19174

HINTS FOR MAKING BETTER VIDEO TAPES

If you are not familiar with camera techniques, there are many books about
the subject available at your local library.  However, because the
camcorder is so simple to use and tape can be used again and again, it is
inexpensive to experiment and learn as you go.

The following information will get you started.

LIGHTING

Lighting should be uniform.  The camcorder can record in low-light
conditions, but more light is usually better.  The optimum brightness for
top quality pictures is between 500 and 100,000 lux.

This chart shows you the approximate brightness in different situations or
from different light sources.

           Brightness                  Situation
             (LUX)

            100,000                Clear day at noon
             65,000                Clear day at 10:00 AM
             35,000                Clear day at  3:00 PM
             32,000                Cloudy day at noon
             25,000                Cloudy day at 10:00 AM
              2,000                Cloudy day, one hour after sunrise
              1,000                Clear day, one hour before sunset
              1,000                Fluorescent light near window
            700-800                Factory floor
            500-700                Sales counter in department store
              500                  Bowling alley
            400-500                Library
            400-500                Office with fluorescent lighting
              400                  Fluorescent desk lamp
              250                  Flashlight at 3 feet
              100                  Factory stairway
             15-35                 During intermission at movie theater
             15-20                 Cigarette lighter at 1 foot
             10-15                 Candles on birthday cake at 8 inches

CAMCORDER MOVEMENT

When you move the camcorder while recording, move it slowly and steadily. 
Too much movement or fast movement makes your recordings look awkward.  A
video camera tripod (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 16-2017, not supplied)
is a worthwhile investment for top-quality movie making.

ZOOM IN AND ZOOM OUT

As with movement, too much use of the camcorder's zoom features can detract
from your recordings.  When you use power zoom, digital zoom, and/or
instant zoom, it is best to zoom in or zoom out in one smooth motion, not
in several jerky motions.

If you use them sparingly, movements from side to side combined with zooms
can be very effective in your video tapes.


(JC   11/15/95)