Editor’s note: In the February issue of Newspapers & Technology, Andy Dickinson discussed how a newspaper could equip a newspaper video production with products that cost less than $350. In this installment, Dickinson reviews products for those newspapers with larger budgets.

If a mobile phone or stills camera seems a bit limiting and you have some money to spare then you could take a trip to your local electrical retailer and buy a camcorder.

There are two things to consider when you buy a camcorder. What does it record on to and how are you going to get it on to your computer?

Tape: Over the last year or so the tape-based camcorder has been replaced by versions that record to DVD or digital media (hard disc or removable cards).

As a result prices have been driven down and you can now pick up a decent MiniDV tape based camcorder for less than $300. Tape may seem like an old-fashioned way of working but it does give you a ready-made archive. If you want to save the footage, just put the tape away.

If you decide to go MiniDV then be sure to pick up a camera that has a “DV Out” so that you can connect it to your computer.

DVD: I would avoid the DVD versions of camcorders. Not that they aren’t very good. The problem is they rarely come with the ability to connect directly to your computer. If you do copy content from the camera it tends to be via some modified software. This may make things too time consuming in a newsroom.

SD card: A number of manufacturers make camcorders that record to SD card (the same kind of card you will find in a compact stills camera.) The Sanyo Xacti range is worth a look as they offer a waterproof version for those tougher assignments. The small, compact nature of these camcorders may appeal and transferring the files to your computer is pretty simple.

However, with prices averaging $300 for a good SD camcorder, you may be just as well off buying a decent compact stills camera.

HDD: Hard disk drive camcorders are fast becoming a popular choice for newsrooms, as they don’t constantly need the tapes that can make a tidy hole in the consumables budget.

The downside is that when the disk is full you need to either delete the footage or store it on your computer. Some models come with both hard disk and SD storage options to ease the load but eventually you will need to spend money on more storage for archiving.

The other downside is that you’ll get very little very little change from $800 for something at the bottom of the range.

Editing

The free Windows Movie Maker/Macintosh iMovie option will still serve you well at this level but you could splash on something more flexible. Adobe’s Premiere Elements would be my first choice on a PC and Apple’s Final Cut Express would make the cut for the Mac. Both retail for less than $200 and will keep 99.9 percent of non-broadcast newsrooms happy.

Accessories

Again, a tripod is a vital accessory. A decent photography tripod will do the job and not take up too much space. But be prepared to spend at least $60 f you want something that will last. You could try a Monopod as an alternative ($40 to $60 for a good one).

Issues

Like the nearly free option, audio is always going to be a problem at this level. Many manufacturers have a range of microphone accessories but you should be looking for a camcorder that has a socket to let you plug in your own. The Canon MD101 at around $360 is worth a look.

Then you need to buy a microphone. The most flexible type will be a tie-clip microphone. I’d pay at least $50 for one to ensure at least some quality.

Looking like a pro (+$600)

If you have a bit of money to spare and want to kit yourself out with pro level kit then you will find yourself spoiled for choice.

Camera

That said, the choice of recording format shrinks at this level — not because there aren’t great camcorders at around the $800 mark but because most people are looking at high definition-HDV tape or high definition hard disk camcorders.

The hard disk options are great but they record in a format that can be tricky to edit so the popular choice seems to be for tape-based camcorders. In a recent survey I did the Sony A1HE, Canon HV20 and the Canon XH1 came out as the most popular.

Editing

If you’ve got money left you could really indulge and buy the full versions of Premier and Final Cut Pro. But Premier Elements and FinalCut Express will work perfectly well with these camcorders.

Other options at this level include Sony Vegas and Avid Express.

All are fit for the purpose but you may have to buy an even more powerful computer and lots more storage to get the best out of these applications.

Accessories

Tripod: A decent video tripod is a must if you are buying a good camcorder. Be prepared to spend at least $800 on a tripod that will last.

Sound: You should also be prepared to spend a reasonable amount on microphones. I would look at getting hold of a “reporter’s microphone” like the Beyer Dynamic M58 ($300). You may also want a decent tie-clip microphone. Something like the Sony ECM44B won’t break the bank at around $320, but it’s clunky. Many people opt for a wireless microphone set up but expect to pay over $600 for a decent set-up.

Lights: An on-board light is a handy addition to a camera kit. PAG is a well-known brand in broadcast circles and it offers a decent camcorder light at around $300.

Hopefully there is enough there to get you started. There are millions of iterations of kit but the most important thing is that it’s got to fit the way you work.

Set a budget and then explore what there is in the price range. When you buy a camera, don’t buy from anywhere that won’t let you try the camera first. Don’t worry about looking like you don’t know what you are doing. See how it feels in your hands. Once the video bug bites you’re going to be carrying it around a lot.

Andy Dickinson teaches digital and online journalism at the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom. He can be reached at andydickinson.net. This article was first published at journalism.co.uk.