How to make better videos

That camcorder you got for Christmas a couple years back is in the closet gathering dust. The last time you broke out your videos, friends and family suddenly remembered their urgent dentist's appointments. Every time you view your tapes, you get motion sickness and wear out your fast-forward button.

Sound familiar? If so, you're one of the millions of camcorder owners who have been frustrated by the results they're getting. Fortunately, shooting better-looking home videos is easy; you just need to follow some straightforward guidelines.

Camera movement
If your videos look as if they were shot by a drunk during an earthquake, keep these four steps in mind.

Zoom lenses
Don't get zoom-happy.

Autofocus
Keep your videos sharp.

Using light
Well-lit shots look better.

In-camera editing
Short bursts of shooting will make a more viewable video.