camcorder

camcorder definition - computer

(video CAMera reCORDER) A combination video camera and videocassette recorder in one unit. Sony introduced the first camcorder in 1983 with its Betamovie. It recorded directly onto Sony half-inch Betamax videotape cassettes, but did not play back. Subsequently, camcorders were made to play back, and today, camcorders record and play back using videotape cassettes or DVDs (DVD-R or DVD-RAM).


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The First Camcorder

In 1983, Sony's Betamovie was the first device to combine camera and recorder in one unit. (Image courtesy of DrT, www.drt3d.com)





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Cam, But No Corder

This RCA video camera from 1939 used the all-electronic Iconoscope picture tube, but did not even have a viewfinder. That came later. Videotape recording would not come until 1956. (Image courtesy of Early Television Foundation, www.earlytelevision.org)






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