Tapeless camcorder

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JVC GZ-MG555 hybrid camcorder (MPEG-2 SD-Video)

A tapeless camcorder is a camcorder that does not use videotape to store its data. Common alternatives include flash memory, memory stick, a hard disk, USB port connected to the computer or other mass storage or DVD media. All tapeless camcorders use digital formats to store their data.

The technique exists throughout the range of camcorders; inexpensive flash memory units, while not particularly high quality, can be used as essentially disposable substitutes for a more expensive DVD or MiniDV camcorder; similar flash technology is used on semi-pro and high-end pro cameras for ultrafast transfer of high-bandwidth HDTV content. Hard drives can also be used.

Using DVD media as a base for a camcorder is becoming increasingly popular due to the convenience of being able to drop a disc into the family DVD player; however, DVD capability, due to the limitations of the format, is largely limited to consumer-level equipment targeted at people who are not likely to spend any great amount of effort editing their video.

Most consumer-level tapeless camcorders use MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 as encoding formats.

They generally include a USB port to power the batteries and transfer data.