Tech at Work: Best Quality for Lower Tech for Video Camera & Microphone?
July 27, 2017 10:31 AM Subscribe
My work team is in search of a video camera and a microphone – both should be relatively low user tech required but have good quality output.
Video camera – we train adults and need a camera that our faculty and staff can operate when recording students for feedback.
The specifics of what we need:
• Low/accessible tech (some of our faculty are not comfortable with tech but of course some degree of training can be given to them)
• Recordings would all be taken indoors
• Recordings need to be good but not Oscar-worthy quality – may be used for development of training videos, etc.
• Importantly – we need to be able to connect the camera to a screen (laptop/standalone) and it would be great if we can also stick content on USBs/another tool (for example, we have seen students be provided with a chip that they put in the camera, recording takes place, they carry chip away with them and can then play the video elsewhere for feedback).
• Syncing to macs and PCs
• Price could be $500 - $1000 per device (less expensive is welcomed)
Microphone – we need a microphone to record conversations among multiple people in the same room for a podcast. We use iPhone Voice Memos for individual recordings but with people around a table the sound quality is not as good.
The specifics:
• Having an easy way to connect and sync to a computer would be great.
• Professional quality is desired but it does not have to be NPR-quality if that makes sense.
• Price again is in the $500 - $1000 range (less expensive is welcomed)
Thanks so much!
Video camera – we train adults and need a camera that our faculty and staff can operate when recording students for feedback.
The specifics of what we need:
• Low/accessible tech (some of our faculty are not comfortable with tech but of course some degree of training can be given to them)
• Recordings would all be taken indoors
• Recordings need to be good but not Oscar-worthy quality – may be used for development of training videos, etc.
• Importantly – we need to be able to connect the camera to a screen (laptop/standalone) and it would be great if we can also stick content on USBs/another tool (for example, we have seen students be provided with a chip that they put in the camera, recording takes place, they carry chip away with them and can then play the video elsewhere for feedback).
• Syncing to macs and PCs
• Price could be $500 - $1000 per device (less expensive is welcomed)
Microphone – we need a microphone to record conversations among multiple people in the same room for a podcast. We use iPhone Voice Memos for individual recordings but with people around a table the sound quality is not as good.
The specifics:
• Having an easy way to connect and sync to a computer would be great.
• Professional quality is desired but it does not have to be NPR-quality if that makes sense.
• Price again is in the $500 - $1000 range (less expensive is welcomed)
Thanks so much!
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Camera: Go for a Canon camcorder like this one. Make sure the one you choose has an input jack for an external mic.
Camera audio: When I checked, the vendor I link to there suggests what looks to be a decent camera-mounted mic for less than $100. This clip-on lavalier mic would work for semi-closeup interviews, talking heads, etc.
Tripod: Get and use a sturdy tripod like this one or this one or similar. It seems expensive up front, but you want it to stand up to inevitable unintended abuse by newbie users who don't know better. It protects the rest of your investment and will make your videos look *much* more professional. Handheld is for rookies and Jason Bourne movies.
Podcast mic: the Blue Yeti is a deservedly popular mic for this. Connect via USB to a laptop, record (and edit later) with Audacity, the free open-source audio editor.
Here's an experienced podcaster's take on setting up a starting rig. I also recommend Transom.org, "A Showcase and Workshop for New Public Radio." As such they're more attuned to strict sound quality than most beginning podcasters need to worry about, but it's very good information.
Multi-mic setups are more complex; let pros advise you here.
One last word: professionally produced videos and podcasts take more effort than they seem to. You should expect to make some really bad videos and podcasts to start. That's okay - you're building a new set of skills. Play with them: make a few goofy videos and audio recordings just to see how your new toys work. Have fun!
posted by conscious matter at 1:47 PM on July 27, 2017 [1 favorite]