A frequently-asked query:
I’m looking for a general recommendation from any people in the know about video cameras as to which model or type of camera I should use.
I’ll be as specific as possible.
MY PURPOSE
I am a test prep teacher who will be recording lectures to upload to my website, video hosting sites, and perhaps to burn to DVD for sale if things turn out well. This is a new venture – I’ve never done video classes, though I’ve been told that I should – so while I want a decent camera I don’t want to go overboard on anything too professional.
WHAT I NEED
Something broadcast quality (or near) image and sound, but in an affordable range (ideally around 00, but up to 00).
I will be shooting in a small room, and would need a way to reduce echo in my videos.
The camera will be mounted on a tripod at all times, with little movement. (I’m wondering therefore whether I can get away with a less expensive model that still has great picture quality, seeing as I don’t need any bells and whistles for capturing high-speed car chases or anything.)
I will be doing some minor video editing (subtitling, transitions) in a program like Sony Vegas and directly uploading the files to the Internet, where they can hopefully maintain a professional, commercial-like video image despite being compressed.
What kind of things should I keep in mind as I hunt for the ideal camera? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
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To reduce/eliminate echo in the room, get rid of hard-wall surfaces. carpet on the floor and thick fabric, carpeting or foam audio-dampening stuff on the walls (and maybe even on the ceiling) would be very helpful.
A mic will also be very helpful – the close the mic element is to your mouth – the audio source, the better off you will be.
This means a camcorder with a mic jack – and ideally, manual audio control. Using the "auto mic gain" will likely result in audio during quiet periods that has a "whooshing" sound as the auto mic gain tries to "listen" for audio. Being in manual audio control mode bypasses that circuit.
Being inside means lighting control – think of your local TV newscasts and talk-shows or anything else planned and professionally shot indoors. You might be able to use a few worklights available from your local hardware store. Or Guitar Center or Musician’s Friend have DJ lighting kits that you could modify to suit your requirements (Light trees and PAR cans). Dimmer controls would be usefull, too.
Starting at the low-end and working up…
Consumer grade:
Canon ZR900, 930, 960. MiniDV tape, standard definition only, 1/8" mic jack but no manual audio control.
Canon FS series. Flash memory, standard definition only, 1/8" mic jack but no manual audio control.
Canon HV30/HV40. MiniDV tape, standard definition and high definition, 1/8" mic jack + manual audio control.
Prosumer grade:
Canon GL2, Sony DCR-VX2100. MiniDV tape, standard definition only, 1/8" mic jack + manual audio control.
The Sony HVR-A1 does HDV and has XLR audio connectors.
The Sony HVR-HD1000 is a shoulder-mount unit but has only 1/8" audio-in.
Pro grade
Panasonic AG-DVX100. Standard definition, XLR audio-in connectors
MiniDV tape continues to be the higher-end choice because HDV is less compressed than AVCHD/MTS. MiniDV tape means your computer has a firewire port – USB won’t work and USB-to-firewire converter/cable/adapter/hub things won’t work.
Mics require some attention. Since you are in a small room, you might be able to position the camera – hence the built-in mics – close enough to you to not require an external mic… but manual audio control is still required. Best would be to use a clip-on lapel mic (lavaliere). Wireless is easiest. Look for UHF, full diversity, to keep any potential for interference (radio frequency or electro-magnetic) as low as possible. A decent shotgun mic can work, too – best if mounted to a mic stand with a boom and kept out of the frame. shotgun mics are typically wired so if you go with a good one, you will need XLR connectors or an XLR adapter.
Wireless lavaliere and shotgun mic manufacturers include Shure, Sennheiser and Audio Technica. It does not seem like portability is a requirement, so you can spend a little less because you can use big (rather than portable) base stations for the Lavs if you go this route.
i recommend Sony HDR-SR8 100GB Hard Drive Digital Camcorder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UCKYLI?ie=UTF8&tag=omegamenswatch-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000UCKYLI"
what i recommend is a teleconference camera, sony makes a variety of models. this class of camera is generically called PTZ because the pan, tilt and zoom functions can all be remotely controlled. what they don’t include is a recorder. but for your purposes, using a computer for the recorder should even be better, since you need to make the edits. Audio could be a wireless mic, the receiver going to the computer as well.