Back to Video in the Online Class
Video Equipment and Software
The Camera
Today almost everyone carries the ability to shoot video around with them every day. Most common cell phones have a rudimentary video recorder built in. It isn't Spielberg’s camera of choice but it is a wonderful illustration to make a point about the ease and affordability of creating video. In today’s video camera market, a "point and shoot" camera can run you anywhere between $100 and $1000. Obviously, the quality of the camera and the video footage will vary according to the price range. The cameras we are going to talk about are of standard quality, as opposed to the High Definition (HD) versions that are currently on the market. A quick word for the consumer looking at the HD option, unless you plan to show the video on a HD screen, you are wasting money and file size. Also, video editing is extremely difficult and current computer monitors are not capable of showing an HD quality picture.
Today’s market also still has analog or tape recorders for sale. The analog options are quickly disappearing and are being replaced by the digital recorder. The price on a tape video recorder may look good, but the hassle of keeping up with tapes and the trouble of exporting the information from tape to digital are not worth the cost savings. You will also find digital recording options that have a built-in hard drive or that record directly to a DVD. The upside to the DVD model is that you can go straight from the camera to a viewing device such as a DVD player or computer. The downside is in the difficulty found in editing the video. The models with a built-in hard drive memory allow the file to be downloaded straight to the computer for editing with the camera's software or with an outside video editing application.
There are several key things to consider when purchasing a video recorder. The first consideration is: what are you going to use this camera for? If the main function is to capture video indoors with the camera mounted on a tripod, size and weight are not a huge concern. However, if you will be taking the camera for a handheld video excursion, you will want to look at how the camera feels in your hand and how heavy it is. A good camera will feel comfortable in your hand and you will be able to reach the knobs and various controls without much effort.
A second consideration is to check out the LCD or viewer panel. This panel can get washed out under daylight conditions, so check out the panel adjustments to make sure it will work for you. The same holds true in low-light conditions. Make sure the camera can utilize the existing light or if you will need to add additional lighting to create a quality video. Many camera companies have additional lighting accessories. An inexpensive option is to use a clip-on light from your local hardware store to improve your video results.
A third consideration is to check out the microphone. Many of today's video cameras have a front-mounted microphone. This microphone has a recommended maximum distance for recording good quality sound so be sure to learn the recommended range. If you are routinely using your camera past that range or if you want to enhance the quality of the sound recording, an external microphone would be your best option. Be sure to check the size of the hot shoe (the mounting piece for microphones on the camera). There are several sizes of hot shoes and you need to know the size before before you purchase an external microphone. There are several styles of microphones to choose from. Shotgun microphones are for recording sound from the front of the camera. Directional microphones are for recording sound from various directions. Think about whether you will be recording single individuals or if you will have a need to pick up sound off-camera.
The last thing to consider is the battery life for your camera. The standard battery that comes with your camera will last about an hour. If you will working away from an electrical outlet, you may want to purchase a long life battery (and consider one more to have as a spare). To extend the life of your battery, always remove the battery from the camera when not in use and don’t leave the battery in the charging unit after it is completely charged.
Editing Software
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Specialized video editing software is pricey and has a steep learning curve for the average user. So, before investing time and money on a video editing application, try using the software application that comes with the video camera. Most applications come with a variety of editing options to make a good quality video. These usually include the ability to cut and paste video segments, provide transitions, and make titles for your video. Also, the software will allow you to choose the resolution or size of the video output, which will affect the file size of your video. Depending on the manufacturer, you may also have a choice in the output format of your video.
After you have become proficient at editing your video with the manufacturer's software, you may want to expand your capabilities by using a software application designed for editing video. There are many options, dependent on the type of manipulations you want to do to your video. Some of the more popular applicationas are; Pinnacle Studio Ultimate, Adobe Premier, and Roxio Creator. For more information read PC Magazines Software Review: http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1738,4835,00.asp
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