It seems it takes most shoppers quite some time to decide to invest their money in a new electronic device such as a flat screen television, a digital camera, or camcorder. Then, once they’ve sifted through all of the available information and feel great satisfaction that they’ve made the right choice, they immediately learn about all of the accessory items that the salesman tells them are really necessary to get the most out of their purchase.

At that point, shoppers are on information overload, and are very unsure of how to proceed. Do they really need or want these additional items or are they things that are better deferred until a later point in time when the shopper can better assess the situation?

In most instances, the instinct to wait is probably a good one. Let’s look at the example of camcorder accessories. There are really only one or two items that are of urgent importance.

The first is the need for memory. If the new camcorder doesn’t come with a memory card, or it’s so paltry that the user can’t record more than 30 minutes or so without having to download, then a new owner should probably consider buying a card with larger capacity.  Having to download frequently can dampen the enthusiasm of any home movie maker. Of course, if the new camcorder comes complete with a huge hard drive memory cards can probably be skipped as well.

Secondly, batteries and a charger are critical. If the camcorder doesn’t come with both a rechargeable battery and charger, then investing in these are important. Most however, should come with these basic accessory items.

Among the other accessory items commonly offered with a new camcorder are video lights, filters, lenses, cases, tripods, and microphones. They can all be great items, but delaying the decision isn’t a bad thing to do to assure they are something the new owner feels will add value to their filming experience once they’ve had a chance really try out the new camcorder and determine what is lacking.

A camcorder tripod is probably one of the more necessary items if home movie makers hope to capture good video quality. Handheld shots tend to be unsteady, particularly if the user is panning or trying to follow action. Yes, most modern camcorders offer image stabilization which helps, but nothing assures a steady shot like a tripod.  Secondly, an external microphone is often needed to get better camcorder audio quality. Few camcorders ofter the type of microphone that can provide great sound on recording, so adding an external microphone can be important. However, recording a few movies, playing around with how to block out unwanted sounds and so forth, is wise before deciding to make a purchase. Significant improvements can be made just with learning more about how to record properly.

Video lights can be important when shooting in low light, but many users are satisfied with the built in video light that many camcorders offer. Filters and special lenses can  help users get more creative, but many home movies don’t really require these. Certainly a good camcorder case is important in order to protect this new investment and make it more portable. However, a bag should also accommodate other accessory items that the user needs to take along. Until you know all of the things you want the bag to carry, this decision might be delayed. Gaining a bit of experience  with the device will help the user determine what they need to have to enhance their recording results.   

In the end, having some time with the camcorder and using it several times will help the user know what types of accessories they really need to get the kinds of video they really want.