Re: Digital video camera

**D* G* <d*@kos.net>**

Jeff et al

I think the choice of a camera/software depends on the use you're going
to put it to.  (how's that for an equivocal answer)

The size of the video is determined by your hosting speed and file size
(youtube.com has 10mg limits) and the low or high definition of the
video is often a function within the camera.  Most cameras give you
multiple choices for density of image. Better cameras let you shoot in
multiple size as well as high or low definition.  But what you pick
depends on the use of the video.

If you're going to host it yourself - then the limits change to what you
can afford to host.

The camera choice depends on how you're going to use it and how long you
expect it to last.  A cheap digital will give you an image appropriate
for youtube and most other net applications.  Cheap is good.  If you
anticipate other uses for video - then you may want to upgrade to handle
a higher definition.

Are you shooting indoors or out or both?  While the camera may not
change, how you handle sound will determine the level of camera.  Is it
a remote mic or an internal mic and what happens to wind-noise etc in an
outdoor shoot.  Internal mics are almost worthless in any kind of wind
for good sound levels.  Or are you happy to dub the sound in afterwards.
External microphone capacity will likely push you up into the mid-range
cameras and remote mics themselves are several hundred dollars.

What zoom features do you need - 10X  or 20X or ??  Camera variables
abound.

How's the budget? :-)  And do you have a monetization plan for the
video?  Or a good reason to spend the money and do this work?  

What format does the camera shoot in?  MPV4 or MPV3? Or ??  Understand
that older software (like the free Windows stuff) doesn't handle the
newer MPV4.

Software. Mac and Windows software work fine and the choice is what
operating system you have and are comfortable with.  Linux doesn't have
decent video capacity as of yet although the new release is pretty damn
effective on all other counts now.

There are just a few of the questions you might want to consider before
heading out, plastic in hand, to sacrifice yourself to the great video
gods.

Not sure that helps much with a specific decision.  The key is to
understand why you want video and what you anticipate using it for.
That will tell you what features you need on the camera - and that in
turn sends you to the appropriate price range.

Doug

On Fri, 2007-19-10 at 10:25 -0400, Jeff Ball wrote:
> Nancy and I are ready to move into video for our blog and website. We  
> know nothing.  I realize there are a gazillion choices out there.  My  
> question is what is an acceptable level of definition (pixels?) for  
> using on the web?  Are there any features I absolutely cannot do  
> without?  I will probably be editing the material on Mac IDVD program  
> unless there are horrible screams from this list.  I am assuming all  
> decent cameras have a tripod fixture.  You may prefer to answer off  
> list since I suspect this topic has been covered in the past.
> Thanks
> Jeff Ball
> jeffball@usol.com
> 810-724-8581
> Check out my daily blog at www.gardeneryardener.blogspot.com
> Check out my extensive web site at www.yardener.com
> 
> 
> 
> _
-- 
Doug Green
simplegiftsfarmdotcom   Internet Garden Publishing
Home: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com
Blog: http://www.douggreensgarden.com

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