Whether you're buying a camcorder to try your hand at amateur film-making, or you just want to record your daughter's ballet recital, there are a few accessories that you should consider to make your experience that much easier.

The essentials:

Camcorder bags don't just protect your camcorder — they give you a place to store and organize your accessories.

• Extra memory — Even if you're going for the highest capacity hard drive camcorder you can find, you'll still want to carry a spare memory card around. You never know when you could run out of memory, and if you're out camping or on a trip overseas, then you many not be able to find the right memory card at an affordable price. The same goes for blank tapes and discs — never leave home without a few extras in your bag.
• A spare battery — Maybe your memory card can hold six hours of footage, but that doesn't mean your camcorder's battery will last that long. That's why it's a good idea to carry a spare battery charged up and ready to go for those long trips away from home. It's also good idea to look for a portable charger if your camcorder doesn't already come with one, since it'll generally take up less room in your suitcase than the charger that came with your camcorder.
• A camcorder bag — Unless you plan on storing your camcorder in the box it came it, you're going to need a camcorder bag to stow and protect it. Look for a bag with ample padding and a weather-resistant material to keep your camcorder safe, as well as enough pockets to organize your memory cards and spare batteries.

Add-ons to improve your video:

External mics can pick up more sonic detail, giving you a more engaging video.

• A tripod — Built-in image stabilization has come a long way, but it still can't beat the stability you gain by using a tripod. It's a great thing to have if you're planning on filming long events, like a soccer game or high school graduation. Most tripods these day are compact enough to easily carry around, but expand to provide the height and stability that you'll need.
• A video light — Not all camcorders come with built-in video lights, and those that do may not provide the illumination you need. Adding a larger, external light will help boost your ability to record in dimly-lit settings, and also give you more natural lighting in general.
• A microphone — The microphone built into your camcorder will suffice for most people, but if you really want to record detailed sound then check out an external mic. They're usually larger, and sit on top of the cam where they can record more sounds with better detail.
• Lens attachments and filters — Some higher-end camcorders let you add different lenses to your camcorder. For example, a wide-angle lens might help you capture more people in a group shot or more players on a field, while a telephoto lens will give you about twice the zoom power for better long-range shooting. You can even add different filters to your lens for better color and contrast.

Helpful tools to enjoy your video:

Many camcorders offer a number of different video outputs.

• The right audio/video cable — While most camcorders come with some kind of A/V cable in the box, it may not always provide the best-quality connection for your gear. Most high-definition camcorders that output video via an HDMI connection don't come with a cable in the box, and you'll need to purchase a mini HDMI-to-HDMI cable separately to enjoy your high-def video on your HDTV. If your camcorder outputs video via a component video connection, then consider getting a higher quality cable than the one that came in the box. You can also read our article on cable quality to help you choose the best connection for your TV.
• Editing software — Just about every camcorder on the market comes with some sort of video editing software, but can you make all the edits that you want with it? And better yet, is it compatible with your computer's operating system? If you plan to do a lot of video editing, then consider checking out some other types of software that may better satisfy your needs. Our article on watching, sharing, and editing your footage can help you get started.
• An external hard drive — After you've shot and edited your video, and then shown it to friends and family, what do you do with it? You could put it on your computer's hard drive, but computers fail eventually. That's why it's a good idea to buy an external hard drive as a back up — it'll save space on your home PC and protect your footage if you get a computer virus.