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Resolved Question

Looking for a recommendation to make training videos

by Mar 22, 2013 6:22AM PDT

I'm sorry to annoy you experienced users with a really newbie question. I am greener than green, but I need to make training videos of product demonstrations. I will edit in PowerPoint slides where appropriate. Final product will be mp4 uploaded to training server. I don't NEED HD but I might in the future, so I think it would make sense to get it now.

Needs are:
Video format compatible with Cyberlink PowerDirector editor
Hotel meeting rooms, florescent lights
Often hand held
Accessory shoe for accessory mic to pick up un-amplified speaking voice
Under $1000 for entire kit including extra batteries, chargers, mic, any lighting.
Might need to record up to 8 hours in a day in 1.5 hour segments

I know I'm asking for a lot for little money but would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for your help.
Jeff
I looked for threads relating to this application, but couldn't find anything. If this question has been answered many times, my apologies. Maybe a link to those threads would help.

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jcrump55 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Not an annoyance.
by Mar 23, 2013 6:18AM PDT

We all started somewhere. It is merely your turn.

I agree with most of what terfyn said... and add some:

We don't know which version CyberDirector - assuming it is relatively new, you should be OK. Worst case is there is a "transcoding step to get the video into a format your editor will deal with.

Some hotel rooms use incandescent... bottom line, whichever camcorder you end up with, learn to use the "white balance" feature in the camcorder.

Try as hard as you can to NOT capture handheld. If a tripod is not available, at least use a shoulder-mount steadying device. I am not a fan of these
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/884805-REG/revo_sr_1000_shoulder_support_rig.html
but they are better than handheld.

An accessory shoe can be added if one is not on the camcorder you get:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734090-REG/Vello_CB_500_CB_500_Dual_Shoe_Bracket.html
Two accessory shoes - one for video light; one for audio wireless receiver. Has a standard 1/4" tripod mounting screw hole, too.

"External mic" cam mean lots of things. Generally wired vs wireless. In your situation and budget, one of these
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68061-REG/Audio_Technica_W88_68_830_Pro_88W_Camera.html

Optional high capacity batteries from the camcorder manufacturer...

Several high capacity SDHC cards.

Lighting? You are making this difficult...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/814471-REG/Vidpro_K_120_K_120_LED_Video_Light.html
but it won't last for 8 hours.

On your $1,000, we just spent about $500. That leaves $500 for the camcorder. Something in the Canon HF M series... has a 1/8" (3.5mm) mic jack, manual audio gain control, and probably the largest lens diameter and single imaging chip available.

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Answer
Training videos
by Mar 22, 2013 8:33AM PDT

I hope I can help on some points.

Video recording conforms to generic formats and, providing you don't switch your camera to something odd, should work with any editor. Most new cameras do HD now so stay with HD. Again most editors will burn a DVD in SD from an HD source.

No point in fixing an accessory mic to the camera, the camera mics will do equally as good a job. Every point in having a mic located close to the interviewee (say on a table) and plugged into the mic socket of your camera.

If you want extra lighting, go for the new LED lights. Low power consumption, battery driven, cool output and can have colour gels fitted. Two with 100+ LEDs should do the trick. (Serious photographers will hate this suggestion!)

I don't expect your subjects will survive 1.5 hours of interview without a break and your audience certainly will not. Expect to stop and start. Your batteries won't survive either so run the camera from a mains supply.

For interest, my set up is a Panasonic HC-V700 camcorder and VideoStudio Pro editing suite.

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