[col=maroon]Choosing Your Video Production Equipment
In the previous tutorila we said that there were five ingredients that made a great video:
1) A great story board, or outline.
2) Good lighting of all aspects. Especially for outdoors.
3) A digital camera with good resolution
4) An outdoor directional microphone
5) Video Editing Software
The first one is not really "equipment", so we will deal with it later.
Just remember that it was number one, because it is very important.
Camera
In order to produce good quality video products, you will need to invest in a good quality web camera or digital camera (or both). Remember that the higher the resolution it has, the better the output it provides will be. So if you are looking to present your product/service in the best possible way, you need to get the best.
For indoors work you may be able to get away with just using a webcam with built in microphone. ıf you are doing an interview with an expert on a subject, or if you are filming some work done on a desk or table, then you may not need anything else.
Of course dieffernt webcams offer different features:
Basic Design
These web cams are specifically designed for use with your desktop or notebook computer. They can either sit on the table or rest on a monitor. There are even some which can clamp on to your portable notebook screen, while others offer an adjustable base so that they can be used with both kinds of cameras.
So you want to think about how and where you are going to use your webcam.
Audio Capture
Most web cams come with a built in microphone (so you will need no other equipment).
USB Interface
In order to produce higher quality video, you will need to purchase a camera which supports the faster USB 2.0 high speed interface. Most web cams and digital cameras today will also support the much slower USB 1.1 interface, but the resolution provided by this is much lower. Just make sure that you have USB 2.0
Digital Zoom
Unfortunately consumer web cams do not have an optical zoom lens as this would make them much more expensive. However many do offer digital zoom of up to 4x and this can be useful in order for you to enlarge an area of the captured frames.
Web Cam Software
But apart from the driver software, these cameras may come with other software bundled into the package. They may well include video monitoring and capture, video instant messaging, video e-mail, video editing, video conferencing and video surveillance. Most of this you won't have much need for.
In fact, if you want to get on with producing your video product, then stay away from the distractions of extra facilities and focus on the the features that you are going to use.
Sound Capture
If you are going to want to record outside, on location sound, then, then you need a directional microphone. Many people shoot the video and then do the voice over afterwards at the editing stage. this has the advantage of being able to control the sound quality without the expense of an outdoor microphone.
Lighting
This is extremely important otherwise it is going to look like you are creeping about in the shadows! Not a good way to build confidence!
The entire area that you are going to use for making your video product needs to be well lit. The more light you have in the area, the crisper the video pictures will be. You may also decide to use lighting effects in order to add further appeal to your video presentation.
Lighting must be diffused otherwise the shadows caused by the bright lights will appear very dark. To diffuse the light, you need to bounce the light off of a white ceiling or walls. You can also use linen to diffuse bright light, but remember that strong lamps get very hot, so keep any material a good distance from the filaments or you could start a fire!
Many use 500watt tungsten flood lights as they can be cheaply bought at any hardware store. Just be carefull with the heat and to bounce or diffuse the light.
Video Editing Software
There are many programs to chose from, but the free Movie Maker that is bundled with MS XP is good enough for most work. Have a look in the software tools section to look at other useful and free programs.
The video editing software will enable you to add further sounds, delete some bad angles and even allow you to insert some still images as well. Some programs are available which are very user friendly which help you do the job without you having any knowledge about video editing.
Next tutorial:
Working up your outline, or storyboard.
