2011 Video Camera Shopping Glossary

CCD, CMOS:Types of imaging sensors or light-sensitive chips used in digital cameras and camcorders to capture the image. The amount of image information the chip gathers determines the megapixel rating.

DLNA:A certification standard identifying hardware, such as cameras and smartphones, which can exchange content such as video with other compatible devices over wireless and wired networks. This standard is supported by more than 250 manufacturers in products across the full spectrum of consumer electronics. See the Digital Living Network Alliance Web site for more info.

Fixed focus:A lens that is permanently set and cannot be adjusted. Everything within the picture is always in focus, and there is no optical zoom. This lens is typically found on smartphones and low-end cameras and compact camcorders.

Flash memory:Internal circuitry or removable cards used to store video. The amount of memory, expressed in gigabytes, determines the length of video that can be recorded for each resolution.

Frame rate:The number of images captured and displayed per second in a video recording, expressed as a number like 24 frames per second. To see how frame rate impacts video quality, try this comparison tool at SuperCircuits.com.

HD: High-definition video, an indication of picture quality and horizontal lines of resolution in a recorded or displayed video image. HD video is designated as 720p, 1080p, or 1080i.

Lux rating:A specification used to describe a camera’s light sensitivity in poor or dimly lit situations. In general, the lower its lux rating, the more sensitive it is to light and the better the image will be.

Video formats:The type of file a device creates when it captures, converts, or compresses a video recording. Some common video file formats include MOV, MPEG4, WMV, and AVI. Here’s a file guide to formats supported by YouTube, the most popular video hosting site.