Best choices in low budget video gear for great video results

If working on a shoestring budget, here's a list of video gear I'd recommend. Find details and links at http://bmyers.com/gear.html. Or see below.
Kodak Play Touch HD Video Camera - least expensive HD video camera with an external microphone port. Shoots in MP4 format, and actually produces pretty decent video. $104 at http://goo.gl/8sEuw
Note: If you have more room in your budget, upgrade to a better camera. Something like a Canon HF M400 (but only if you can find it on sale for around $350).

Remote Control for Kodak Play Touch Camera - If you plan to shoot video in your studio, having a remote control makes it a lot easier to start and stop the camera. Well worth the $9.56 price - http://goo.gl/gx7W9

16 Gig Memory Card for Kodak Play Touch Camera - The camera stores video on a SD Card, so you'll need at least one of these. At this price, I'd get two. $18.94 http://goo.gl/dHYwN

Lavalier Microphone - If you are going to record your own voice, or doing interviews, you'll want a lavaliere microphone. The Audio Technica ATR-3350 does a great job and the price is right. $21.90 - http://goo.gl/GzV5E

Tripod with Mounting Plate - The quickest way to improve video quality is shoot video with the camera mounted on a tripod. Get a tripod that is lightweight, but also strong enough that the wind won't blow it over. This SunPak 620-06 is a good choice. $25.05 - http://goo.gl/voeLU

Shotgun Microphone - If you want to get good audio from more than a few feet in front of your camera, use a shotgun microphone. This Audio Technica is a good choice for the money. $60 - http://goo.gl/SXB1c

Camera Flash Bracket - Mounting a flash bracke to your small video camera not only makes it easier to hold steady, it gives you a way to mount a shotgun microphone or video light to your camera. This Adorama L bracket is the one I use. $12 - http://goo.gl/r6fxM

5 x 7 Collapsible Green + Blue Screen - If you plan to use Chromakey in your productions, you'll want a green screen background. I prefer this collapsible one with blue on one side and green on the other. Very lightweight and easy to pack, but pops up to 5 foot by 7 foot. $44.99 - http://goo.gl/eNFOw

5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector - On most professional photo and video shoots you'll see people holding reflectors to bounce light onto the performers. These reflectors can make a huge difference when shooting in difficult light situations. This 5-in-1 reflector has fi different surfaces, including silver, white and gold. I wouldn't be caught without one or two. $19.95 - http://goo.gl/79ZJK


Sony Movie Studio HD Platinum - After you shoot your video, you'll need a way to edit it. I prefer Sony Movie Studio Platinum HD. With it, I can edit videos for YouTube, for DVD, even for TV. Has plenty of video effects, titling, chromakey, and DVD Authoring tool. http://goo.gl/k3MqP

101 Tips, Tricks & Techniques with Sony Movie Studio on DVD - the quickest way to learn to edit with Sony Movie Studio. http://goo.gl/YEqwy

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• camera
• shotgun microphone
• lavaliere
• chromakey
• sony movie studio
• tripod
• bill myers

[ChaoticMatters]

How good are the microphones?

[guerillabill]

@ChaoticMatters The lavalier is amazing.  You'd have to spend $150 more to get better sound. The shotgun is above average quality - a good choice if on a budget. There are audio clips from both on YouTube

[ChaoticMatters]

@guerillabill do you need a receiver for the lav? OR can I use the zoom?

[guerillabill]

@ChaoticMatters The lavaliere is a wired microphone with a 12 foot cable. You can get an additional 12 foot cable extension if needed.

[ChaoticMatters]

@guerillabill would that be to plug it into the computer or I could use it anywhere like a mall for a prank video?

[guerillabill]

@ChaoticMatters The lavaliere microphone plugs into a video camera. If you need a wireless microphone, check out the Azden WMS Pro.

[ForgottenTruthsTV]

Great list! 5 stars *****

[SteveHovland]

Thank you for this. Too many times when people ask what they need to do video they are given lists that run into many thousands of dollars. You can make crappy video with a $50,000 camcorder and great video with a $200 camcorder. The difference is your skills.

[EverybodyLovesAlf]

@ShiineEnterprise First of all, I'm not too young, and I'm not a troll. I just thought it could have been done more subtle. I love guerrillabill's videos, and since I use Sony Vegas, I find it very useful when making videos. 

[ShiineEnterprise]

This is a great list although you can actually get a Hama 62 Tripod and carry case from Amazon for only £13.47 (around $20) plus free delivery- it's got a 5 star rating and I bought one myself- works well. Google 'Hama 62 Tripod Amazon' if you need it.

[ShiineEnterprise]

@EverybodyLovesAlf

It's fair enough though, considering he puts out an unbelievable amount of marketing, that Sony Movie studio is probably the best medium level affordable editing solution, and that Bill is probably the biggest Internet authority on it. Perhaps you're too young to realise that people need to make money to live- and Bill's no different.

[coloradopictures]

Thanks Bill for the Good tips...