In the world of Filmmaking Industry, Video techniques are very important, here are some tips, hope it helps.
THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT - make sure you are putting the tape in correctly - if you accidentally put the tape in backward, or upside down, and try to close the door - you will probably ruin your camera. Every Digital Camera is vulnerable to stupidity.

When you are loading the camera - never get in a hurry - put the tape in carefully - gently close the mechanism - let it cycle and load and then close the door. Never ever rush, you may miss a shot - but sorry.

If you have a Digital camera, and you see one edge of the screen with strange things happening, you have a tracking problem. Hopefully you have the warranty and can send the camera back for repair. In all probability they will simply remove the tape transport assembly - heads and all - and give you new ones. The heads on the DV cameras are tiny, and the tape is small, this means they are delicate. So take care to be gentle when loading and unloading the camera.

BUY A GOOD TAPE ERASER IF YOU PLAN ON TAPING OVER - RE-USING DV TAPES. A curious thing happens sometimes when you reuse a tape. The new picture will have 'BARS' of two different pictures - the new one and the old one. I think this is a tracking problem with the recorders, and the old signal is not being erased, and the new signal is recorded just slightly to the side of the old one.

Make sure there is a - ieee1394 - Firewire - socket on the camera. If you don't have one you will have to have a special docking station to feed the video to the computer, or another camera.

Buy at least 3 batteries and have them charged at all time. You will find if you are out shooting all day, one battery will not last the day.

Some cameras come with universal DC voltage in connections. Those that do will allow you to use a motorcycle battery, and adapter. This will allow you to shoot for long hours with no worry of running out of power.

A diaper bag makes one of the best camera bags. They are waterproof, have a lot of pockets, and are large enough to hold all your gear.

Always carry your power supply, an extension cord with you and a two-prong adapter for your cord. You should include Duct Tape or Gaffers Tape to tape the cords to the wall, and floor for the protection of the public and so you will not loose power because someone knocked the plug out of the wall.

Large Plastic Garbage bags, have at least two with you, one for your equipment and one for you to use as a rain coat.
A few smaller bags to cover the camera and hold other equipment are also a good idea. You cannot always stop shooting just because it is raining. So you will have to improvise on the spot. Thin saran wrap is clear enough to cover the lens, and the heavier bags can be taped to protect the camera. 'More uses for the duct tape.'

If you use extra on-camera lights - use one that has its own battery - these lights will drain your camera battery faster than anything will.

Refer to the sports page for the contents of the home-videographers camera bag. I have listed a good comprehensive list of equipment there.

You can use inexpensive mikes, mixers, lights and other additional equipment to start, and as the need happens you can buy better and more expensive equipment. :thumbsup: