best video camera for recording church services image
Tom
I want a webcam or video camera that will plug into a computer USB port and be able to record and broadcast live using upstream.tv. It will be used from the balcony of a church, about 25 yards from the pastor. Under $100 please. It needs to have good sound quality and good video quality. If there is something you know of that is a little more expensive but worth the price feel free to post it. Thanks!
Answer
Webcams are just not designed to get good video or audio from 25 yards away. They are designed to be used more like 25 inches away! From 25 yards away, the audio will be quiet and echo-ey, and the video will make the pastor look like a flyspeck (or, if you use digital zoom instead of optical zoom, like a checkerboard).
Assuming you already own a camcorder, the solution is to use a video capture device on your computer (such as a Pinnacle Dazzle -- see link below) and the A/V output cable from the camcorder. I'm going to assume that's what you are going to use in the instructions below...
Video: Put the camcorder on a tripod and zoom it in. Now (by using the camcorder's optical zoom) your pastor won't look like a flyspeck or a checkerboard, and the tripod will keep your audience from getting motion sickness. Connect the Dazzle's video input (yellow) to the camcorder's video output (also yellow).
Audio: Sound quality from the camcorder's built-in mic will be somewhat better than the webcam's built-in mic. But for better sound quality, you need an external mic (a shotgun mic would be best type), and still better would be a feed from the church sound system. If you are using the Dazzle unit below, your can tell the church A/V expert that the kind of feed you need is a line-level unbalanced RCA connection with a "y" adapter. Connect the Dazzle's audio inputs (red and white [sometimes red and black]) to either the camcorder's audio output (same colors) or to the church audio feed (whatever the church provides). I would also recommend using headphones to monitor the sound instead of the computer's speakers.
So, assuming you already own a camcorder and tripod, your investment is the A/V capture unit below (list price $80 but street prices from about $50!) and some face time with the church AV person -- and your results will be superior to using a webcam. You will need internet access at the church, but I assume you know that. Good luck!
Webcams are just not designed to get good video or audio from 25 yards away. They are designed to be used more like 25 inches away! From 25 yards away, the audio will be quiet and echo-ey, and the video will make the pastor look like a flyspeck (or, if you use digital zoom instead of optical zoom, like a checkerboard).
Assuming you already own a camcorder, the solution is to use a video capture device on your computer (such as a Pinnacle Dazzle -- see link below) and the A/V output cable from the camcorder. I'm going to assume that's what you are going to use in the instructions below...
Video: Put the camcorder on a tripod and zoom it in. Now (by using the camcorder's optical zoom) your pastor won't look like a flyspeck or a checkerboard, and the tripod will keep your audience from getting motion sickness. Connect the Dazzle's video input (yellow) to the camcorder's video output (also yellow).
Audio: Sound quality from the camcorder's built-in mic will be somewhat better than the webcam's built-in mic. But for better sound quality, you need an external mic (a shotgun mic would be best type), and still better would be a feed from the church sound system. If you are using the Dazzle unit below, your can tell the church A/V expert that the kind of feed you need is a line-level unbalanced RCA connection with a "y" adapter. Connect the Dazzle's audio inputs (red and white [sometimes red and black]) to either the camcorder's audio output (same colors) or to the church audio feed (whatever the church provides). I would also recommend using headphones to monitor the sound instead of the computer's speakers.
So, assuming you already own a camcorder and tripod, your investment is the A/V capture unit below (list price $80 but street prices from about $50!) and some face time with the church AV person -- and your results will be superior to using a webcam. You will need internet access at the church, but I assume you know that. Good luck!
Anyone know of a board that can control multiple camcorders?
fxfreak30
My church is about to purchase 3 camcorders to record services with. Our main problem is how to merge the 3 feeds. I know we need a controller board to do that with, but I don't even know what they're called. My only media training was on an old SEG board from the 80's. And we're looking for something relatively cheap (under $400.00). Thanks in advance.
Answer
"Video Mixer".
Beware going cheap... you get what you pay for.
http://www.edirol.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=385
bhphotovideo is a good, reputable and trustworthy source.
Camcorders were not designed to be used as "studio cameras". I *strongly suggest you check with someone knowledgable about what you want to do.
"Video Mixer".
Beware going cheap... you get what you pay for.
http://www.edirol.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=385
bhphotovideo is a good, reputable and trustworthy source.
Camcorders were not designed to be used as "studio cameras". I *strongly suggest you check with someone knowledgable about what you want to do.
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