From Emily Price,
Your Guide to Camcorders.
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With graduations right around the corner many people are thinking about purchasing a new camcorder to videotape the big day. Whether you are purchasing a new camcorder or already own one you can benefit from these graduation recording tips.

Test Your Camcorder Early

As soon as you decide that you are going to want to record the graduation take out your camcorder and make sure it is in working order. Camcorders can become broken while in storage. You don’t want to find out your camcorder is broken the day of the graduation. If possible try to check it a month or so ahead of time so if there is a problem you will have time to get it repaired before the graduation takes place.

Get a Tripod

Graduations are long, very long. While you may think you can hold you camcorder for the length of the ceremony chances are you will not be able to make it. As your arm gets tired you will start to move the camera up and down, and your video will start to look more like a roller coaster ride than a graduation. A tripod can make shooting a graduation easy. Simply set your camcorder up on the tripod, press record, and relax.

Get an Extra Battery

If ever you needed an extra camcorder battery graduation is the time. Make sure you have enough battery life for one and a half times the length of the graduation. Batteries tend to never last as long as they claim they do, especially when you need them to.

Bring More Tapes

Don’t show up with just one tape. Come prepared with a few extras in case the ceremony runs long or you have a problem with a tape.

Use the Viewfinder

While it can be tempting to use the huge color LCD screen on your camcorder the LCD screen drains your battery. Conserve your battery power by using the viewfinder, or setting up your shot and leaving the camera alone during the event.