Digital Video Camera Rental — Getting You in the Picture

Digital video cameras are still more popular than ever. As they level up techno wise they are giving you more quality and more features in a smaller footprint. High definition videocams, top-of-the-range, can run into $3000 plus to purchase. Using existing mechanisms that enable HD videos to be recorded on a traditional DV tape this number would be even larger.

So, is it really any wonder that digital video camera rental is quickly becoming the obvious choice for anyone using a digital videocam but only required to use the equipment on special occasions? As the technology continues to improve quickly, so quickly that a model given the green light one moment will over the next be outstripped by a better car six months from now, the rent-not-buy trend looks secure.

As an intermittent user, hoping to take photographs at weddings or on vacation, it is neither a practical, nor cost-effective solution to be continually upgrading your digital videocam. Why not have the best of both worlds — the newest models and the lowest prices — and pick the rental option? For the most part, your main concern will be to book well in advance at peak times of the year, such as Christmas and New Year or Thanksgiving, to avoid disappointment. Check the Yellow Pages or go online, and you would discover there are some great bargains out there.

If you shop around, great offers are available. At Christmas and New Year in particular, there are deals on extended and weekend rentals — as we’ve noted, book early. Throughout the year, even, numerous digital video camera rental outlets will have an additional free rental day, and, at short notice, many stores will put together and a video camera bundle at extremely competing prices.

The standard rental kit most often will include spare batteries, charger, camcorder case, makers book and a “quick-start” manual. How easy it is to use depends on which model you have, but the “Get Started” guide you should have received with your package will go through the main controls of On/Off, record and zoom buttons. You'll also be provided with a manual if you'd like to delve further into options.

Or if you're a rare user of digital camcoders, there are many rental outlets who will provide a photo-printing or video transfer service or copy your film on to CD or DVD. Again, shop around for a full-service deal (if you want that). Even with this service charge on top of the hire cost, on any cost-benefit analysis you'll still be getting a bloody good deal.

Optional extras are available in addition to the basic package. Accessories, like tripods, external microphones and camcorder lights, however are not considered trimmings for many who wish to shoot that perfect picture at the right time. As for video tapes and mini-DVD-Rs, you will be charged extra hire for these. Although the software to transfer your pictures to your PC will typically come as part of your hire package. This software is quite popular nowadays and has almost replaced continue with memory cards. Rent, and you’ll get more for less.

Now that you've decided renting a digital video camera is right for you, the most pressing question you need to answer before you go any further is: what do I want from a digital camcorder? Is a standard format color, cheaper, stereo video, or a high definition video all I want?

Conventional ones take small tapes, 60 minutes long and can be plugged into the camcorder/playstation input found on the front of many TVs and video recorders. The playback quality is quite well. Small cameras (in the standard models category) have few features. You want more optical zoom? Then you will need to hire an extra of the slightly bigger cameras. Still, none are that large and all easy enough to use for the novice.

But you are more technical-minded? If that is so, then an HD videocam, giving beautiful playback quality of four times the pixels than standard definition, forced you to film a online video of the wedding and edit the footage on HDV. Note that video editing packages require a very powerful PC. Then you can record the HDV footage onto a high definition DVD player with breathtaking outcome.

Europe is behind the U.S. in that we have already been spoiled of high definition TV, and consume content from most of the major networks. Aficionados of HD, the superb picture quality that HD produces, hold standard models in contempt. For those with a technical bent, renting a videocam means that some more demanding techniques can be practised and that pictures of the very highest quality can be produced without the huge investment needed for a first-rate videocam. And one more thing to consider: As a perfectionist, you’ll also want accessories, which only makes renting more appealing.

So whether you’re a novice or an enthusiast, the best move is to rent the gear. For a videocam to remain relevant it needs continuous and costly updates to keep pace with the relentless advance of technology. That coupled with the high price tags of top-of-the-line videocams as well as the ready availability of bargain packages with accessories, are some compelling reasons to rent, not buy.

They say “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Not quite, but a few hundred of it will have been worth reading if you’re convinced now of the advantages of digital video camera rental.