What would be the best HD video camera for filming action?

best video camera for recording drums image

Talon

I need to film myself playing drums. Ideally the camera doesn't have to have any features, like zoom or any editing stuff, except recording because I'm just going to set it up on a tripod in a fixed spot. I just need a video camera that can record fast action well and has a sharp picture.

Answer
Consumer level HD camcorders have 3 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes - all times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event i have aver been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.

With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 second or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.

You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer.

Just to add to Number 2 from up above, the movements of you playing your drums would not look good on a consumer level HD camcorder at all.

Need a good camera for recording drums live?

Nicholas

Looking for a decent priced camera for recording drums live. Something that doesn't cost to much but gets the job done. Need it to record music primarily so it needs a good mic. thanks

Answer
Your requirement should read:

"Need it to record LOUD music primarily"

Which ever video capture device you get needs to have manual audio gain control.

At the low end, in consumer cams, this is usually a mic attenuator selection in the camcorder's menu. Normal for regular levels, On for loud audio. With these, lenses are small along with small imaging chips resulting in poor low light behavior. Spend a little on the camcorder, spend more on lighting.

Move up the food chain and the control gets more granular. 10-12 steps, again controlled in the menu. Get to prosumers and pro grade and the manual audio control is on the outside of the camcorder. Lenses and imaging chips get larger so low light behavior improves as the price of the camcorder goes up. Spend more on the camcorder, spend a little on lighting.

Step 1: Set a budget. $300, $1,300, $2,300, $3,000 or more? Be sure to include tripod, cables, mics lighting and all that.
Step 2: See what fits. Download the manual from the camcorder manufacturer. Be sure it does hat you need (manual audio gain control).
Step 3: Set your expectations accordingly. Pro grade gear (like your good drums) are not inexpensive.
Step 4: Any camera or camcorder can record decent video when used within its design parameters. Stray from these and expect problems. Be sure your computer can deal with the video files for playback and editing. Check your video editor, too.

If you choose to get a drum mic kit, you will need a mixer to attach them all to the camcorder. Be sure the camcorder has audio input jacks (consumer grade uses 1/8" stereo that can take XLR connections with an XLR adapter (juicedLink - BeachTek); pro grade gear uses XLR connections built-in.

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Do you know any good recording equipment for piano performances?

best video camera for recording piano image

Faerie

I'm a pianist and I need to record a video of my playing to apply for a scholarship. My church has a beautiful, massive Steinway Grand piano, the biggest one available. I would love to use it, but my family only owns home video cameras. Where could I find the proper equipment to make a good recording? Is it possible to hook a mic up to the inside of the piano? If so, how? Do you have any other ideas?

Answer
The best thing you can possibly do is to find a good audio person to record your performance. It will cost you a lot less than buying all the equipment you need. Once you have a recording you can make a video and you will use the audio track from that recording session. Try Craigslist to find an audio person that can record for you. They will come with mics and recorders. You can easily spend over $1,000 on some recording equipment and then you still don't know how to use it.

What software is used to video tape a full computer screen?

Huma

For synthesia(piano), when people upload a video on youtube of a tutorial, they record the computer screen without a video camera, but with a software, what software is used

e.g. hypercam3, full screen recorder, etc.

Answer
camstudio is a free screen recorder and camtasia is you need to pay for it


http://camstudio.org/ - camstudio

http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp - camtasia

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What is the best affordable digital camera with hd video for home music video? I have a mac and Adobe CS5?

best digital camera for video recording photography image

Johnny C

Hello,
what is the best digital camera for recording an artsy film looking music video on a budget of 450.00

Answer
Really there is no dSLR that is designed to record music the way it needs to be recorded, 20-20kHz.

Entry level camera with a video feature are mono only audio input and to get the best recording levels, You need to buy a separate microphone as well

Here is what a dSLR looks like when outfitted with all the accessories needed to shoot video with sound.

http://mauromedia.com/cameras/dslr-shoulder-mount-mauromedia-tech/

Just the stereo audio component will use up your whole budget.

The guys that used to shoot music video in our studio used real video cameras like the Panansonic P2 series cameras.

Link:

http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/P2HD-solid-state-camcorder.asp

You may want to rethink your project and rent the correct tool for the job of creating a music video and see if you can get hired as part of the crew on a music video production to learn exactly how one is made, from writing the script to final edit and what costs are involved

NOTE: Photoshop CS5 is a still photography retouching program. You will need something like Adobe Premiere Pro to edit video

I Need tips for recrording videos using standerd digital camera.?

softboxn

I Need tips for recording videos using standard digital photography camera. I have camera stand and i want record videos of origami. I need tips for lighting and what best way to make it good video. I have 9.0 mega pixel camera it can record video w/o zoom
software like what ? ?
the camer is
Fujifilm Finepix A700

Answer
If you tell us what camera and model we will be able to give you some more specific points that will help you with the specific camera.

In general, lighting will be the most important. You can use construction lamps to supply good light strong lighting for your scene until you an later afford proper video lighting.

It may be that even though the sensor in your camera is 9MP, the video feature uses only a portion of the sensor to give you a video resolution of something close to 1280 x 720 at 30 fps (about 1MP). In your research, you will find that some of the better video recorders use three sensors that are 3.1MP each (Red, Green and Blue) so can produce much higher resolution videos.

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How can I transfer something I recorded onto a vhs tape to my digital video camera?

best video camera for recording audio image

charcartoo

Someone used her video camera to record a performance for me. Her camera is old, so I couldn't put it directly from her camera to my computer, so I put it onto a vhs tape. Now my problem is trying to get it to my computer. I thought there was a way I could put it onto my (new) digital camera, then onto my computer. But for some reason it just isn't working out for me. Any suggestions?
Someone used her video camera to record a performance for me. Her camera is old, so I couldn't put it directly from her camera to my computer, so I put it onto a vhs tape. Now my problem is trying to get it to my computer. I thought there was a way I could put it onto my (new) digital camera, then onto my computer. But for some reason it just isn't working out for me. Any suggestions?

I'm not sure if it makes any difference, but it is a mini dv camera.

Answer
Most video cameras come with video in ports. There should be a wire that splits into red (audio left), white (audio right) and yellow (video). Some have S-video input, this looks like a PS mouse connection.

Play the VHS tape on a VHS player.
Plug the 3 wires into the AUDIO OUT (L,R) and VIDEO OUT connections of the VHS player.
You should see the video appear on the digital camcorder. If not, there should be some mode setting.
Press record.

I hope that helps.

Can someone audio tape you without your knowledge?

Roberta

My teenage child and I live with a roommate. My roommate owns the place where we live. Today I found a surveillance camera hidden in a window in the home. The camera records audio and video. I know that in Ohio, only one person involved in a conversation has to give consent to record. However, this camera was recording even when the roommate was not at home. Is it legal for him to record conversations that I have with other people when he is not at home? I feel very violated and disrespected.
Thanks.

Answer
No because it is his home, but it also depends on where the device is located. If it is in the bathroom or your bedrooms then that would be considered invasion of privacy. If it is in a common area no, it could be considered for security cam.
You need to ask him about it, he may just be trying to keep his home secure from theft and or damages. You got to ask him....
Good luck.....

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I need a good quality, cheap digital video camera for recording live band performances & uploading to youtube?

what is the best camera for video recording image

yvette

My bf plays for a band and I record with my kodak zd15. The sound sucks really bad. I need a nice camera that video records and has good audio for live band performance. I looked into the Mino HD 8GB Flip, I really liked the upload your own photo thing but it has a lot of downs.
Is the cannon sd1000 a better choice?
I need help.

Answer
Consumer-grade camcorders don’t record audio very well especially music. Most have omni-directional microphones that tend to pick up all sound around the cam, like sound bouncing off walls, etc. And some are not even stereo mics. If your Kodak ZD15 is okay with the video imagery, then use a separate audio recorder which is the best way to record for music video projects. You did not state your budget but something like a Zoom H1 digital recorder ($99.00) and used with a quality microphone is the cheapest option. But better yet, something like the Zoom H4n or Tascam DR100 (both around $290.00). They can use two mics (and the two on-board mics) and the ability to balance up to 4 channels. The important part is the microphone and for a way to adjust the gain, as music will peak and fall throughout the performance, and each instrument has its own unique sound waves. Using ear-muff style headphones will allow you to listen more accurately what the mic(s) is picking up. You may be able to rent a recorder and try it out to see if it will work for you. Check with your local music instrument stores. If you still are leaning towards another camcorder, just make sure it has an external microphone port and headphone port.

What Digital Cameras Can Allow Zooming During Video Recording?

Ace U

I go to a lot of concerts and record them on camera. I was wondering which cameras allow zooming during video recording. I'm looking for something not too expensive. $300-400 max price. Thanks.

Answer
I have a Samsung L200 and it's great. 10 megapixels, zooming while video and its only 200.

If you're doing a lot of video, invest the money for the Canon HG20. $600 from amazon.com, i have one, trust me, its the way to go.

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What are the benefits of having a video camera to use in the classroom?

best video camera for classroom recording image

Angel_Witt

I teach first grade at a rural school in Alabama. I want to purchase a video camera so I can record experiments, plays, and learning that is taking place in the classroom. The recordings will then be transferred to the school website for the community to see or to a DVD for students and parents to enjoy. I have to write a GREAT proposal to get the camera. What are other benefits of having a video camera for classroom use? Thanks!

Answer
This is great for both you and the students. When recording students' plays, upon review the students will be able to monitor their fluency/expression/prosody and then improve it. Repeated performances and viewings will show growth.

Invite local community officials and leaders in to speak to the children and record it. Use this as a model for students to develop a short minute speech about a topic. Record it. Show it back to them. The possibilities are endless.

For science simply tape different environments and have students make observations, compare/ contrast.

Here are a couple of links:

http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=6753
http://www.woodworkingteachers.com/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=380

As you know already, this benefits you as well. Although all teachers have built in with-it-ness, things still go unnoticed. You will be able to assess students long after the moment has already played out. Also, you will improve by critiquing yourself and delivery to your students.

Good Luck!

Is it illegal for a teacher to film students in class secretly?

Swishbig

My sister said that when she was in high school, she was taking a test and a student found a camera hidden some where in the classroom recording them while they took the test. The teacher said that it was to catch if anyone was cheating. Most of the students said it was illegal because it was hidden and the teacher didn't send out parental consent for their kids to be video taped. So is it true that it's illegal?

P.S. My English class just got a new student teacher and she is filming us to send to her professor to evaluate. But she had us get parent signatures.

Answer
There are cameras all over the place. You cannot even go into a 7-11 without having your picture taken. I have cameras in my house in case of theft. Since the cameras were to stop cheating and were never used for anything else, there is no case as there was no harm done. Students do not have any idea what is legal and illegal. Some even think a teacher cannot check their lockers. Student teachers have no authority over anyone in a class and have to be super careful not to offend anyone. The student teacher was sending it to someone else so she needed the permission slips.

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How long is a 25MB video, recorded from a Canon camera?

best canon camera for video recording image

Unknown

Just a 25MB video recorded from a Canon camera of me talking.

Answer
It is dependent on a variety of factors(resolution, fps, etc) however as a general guide the average 30 fps 720p hd video will average a little over a mb per minute

What is the best camera to use for photography and video recording at concerts?

Lexie

I really want to buy a camera that's really good for taking pictures at concerts, (probably outside) and recording. I have some FujiFilm 14 mega pixels camera now, but I mean I want a REALLY nice camera. I was looking into Nikon and Canon cameras but I don't know which one would be good for video recording too. I'm not really too concerned about the price, but under 4,000 would be cool!

Answer
First of all, you may not be allowed to bring a camera into the venue, I'd check first.
You might get away with smuggling it in, but personally I hate the possibility that I might either have my camera confiscated, or I won't be allowed inside.
Next problem is that concerts are a low light situation, usually also coupled with much movement as well as a fair distance from the subject.

All up, that makes it EXTREMELY challenging. The only hope of half decent concert photos are good DSLR cameras and even for those you need very good and very FAST lenses.

Small P&S cameras have tiny little sensors, so they don't do well with low light situations.
Concert photos are often blurry because there isn't enough light, so the shutter speed is too slow to hand-hold it, even worse when you add the movement of the performers to it.

You could try raising your ISO, but that will add noise to your photos.
You could try using your little flash, but it can't reach very far, and won't do you a whole lot of good other than lighting up the back of the heads directly in front of you.

I'm afraid there are a number of good reasons why the pro's carry around huge, expensive cameras, lenses, and lights.
It would be lovely if a tiny camera could do it all, but the reality is that small P&S's just can't handle concert situations very well. Some places do allow small P&S cameras (but no DSLRs). The reason for that is because they KNOW you will never get any decent shot with a little P&S.

However, I do realize that some of us a lot easier to please than others, so perhaps what is totally unacceptable to me might be fine in YOUR eyes.
If you can't have a good camera with you, at the very least make sure you learn how to you use what you have, so you can make the most out of it. Read your manual several times, attend a class, read some books on photography - it will help a lot.
If you're not interested in learning much, at the very least learn how to turn off the flash. Those tiny on-camera flashes only reach a few feet, so all you do with it is illuminate the bodies in front of you.

As to sound - there is a good reason why the audio pros carry around a lot of very big and very expensive gear. Even a good camcorder can only do so much in that regard - let alone a little P&S still camera! Don't expect miracles - don't even expect anything you'd ever want to listen to again.

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What is a good compact camera for recording high-volume, high-definition audio/video?

best camera and video recorder image

S3NT13NT_G

Hello everybody. Here is the problem I'm having:

I am an enthusiastic concert attendee, and I go to a lot of Metal shows. I also like to record parts of the shows I go to, so I can go back and re-live the experience later. But these shows are LOUD! Around 115-130 decibels, to be more specific. And at that kind of high volume, most camera microphones are overloaded and the resulting videos have sound that is distorted, scratchy, and unlistenable.

What I have tried already:

I have owned a Fujifilm JV-100 in the past, and I currently own a Canon SX-260 HS and neither of these have decent audio. My fiancée's old Sony Cybershot DSC-W50, on the other hand, has great sound quality. The only issue with that is that it's ancient, shoots poor quality photos, and doesn't have full-HD video capability. I'm also not sure if the newer models of Sony Cybershots have the same quality of internal microphone and when I asked a sales representative about this and she was unable to give me an answer.

Limitations:

Using an actual camcorder is out of the question, as is buying an expensive digital SLR. It must be a compact, point-and-shoot camera because otherwise the event staff/venue security deem it a "professional device" and will not allow it inside the concert venues without a press pass, which I obviously do not have. I also cannot use a separate audio recording device, because it is impractical and I need the convenience of all the components (camera, video recorder, audio recorder) in one single device.

What I need:

Simply put, I need a compact, point-and-shoot camera that is capable of shooting in low-light settings, that is capable of recording HD video, and has an internal microphone that doesn't fuzz out at high volumes. I also need it on a budget, which is less than $400.

Please offer me some suggestions for what model camera I should look into buying. I'm tired of wasting my money on cameras that don't work under the rigorous conditions I have described. If there are other metalheads out there who've had the same problem, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me your recommendations. Thanks in advance.

Answer
The Sony Cybershot DSC-WX10 [ 16.2 megapixels]
Panasonic Lumix LX5 [ 10.1 megapixels ]
Nikon Coolpix S8100 [ 12.1 megapixels ] check the great prices via abesofmaine.com

What is the right phone for me, suggestions please?

brunzy23

I am planning on getting a new phone with Verizon and I don't know what to get. The features I would like are a decent camera/video recorder, mp3 player, and maybe some other unique features. I am not going to use it for texting or internet browers because I can't afford an expensive bill every month, but I want something that is cool looking and has some nice built in features. If there is anything that fits this or is close to this please recommend something. Thank you.

Answer
You can try Sony ericcson z558i...it's cool with all features you require.....including touch screen....

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What kind of video camera should I get ?

best digital video camera for recording sports image

Bebing

What kind of video camera should I get? Look, I'm a craft person here, I make things out of polymer clay , resin , and other stuff. So... I wanted to make videos of me doing this and me doing that.You know, like I want to teach them how to make resin charms and stuff ! Please HELP!!! Can't decide!!
Thanks!

Answer
HD camcorders interpolate the video, which means of every 25 frames of video, 4 or 5 frames are taken by the lens assembly; the other frames in between these are filled in by the camcorder inner circuitry, thus giving you not true video. It looks like this -one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, from front to back of the video. Near impossible to edit, even when you have the Multi processor computer with the big Graphics and sound cards that is required to edit, view, watch and work with the files a HD camcorder produces.

Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes – four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.

MiniDV is currently the most popular format for consumer digital camcorders. MiniDV camcorders are typically more affordable than their HDD and DVD counterparts. Each MiniDV tape will typically hold an hour of footage at normal recording speed and quality. MiniDV tapes are available for purchase at not only electronic and camera stores, but also at drugs stores and grocery stores, making them easy to find while your on vacation. There are literally hundreds of MiniDV camcorders available; both in standard and high-definition. And add the fact that to get a HD camcorder that could produce better video quality footage, one would have to spend in excess of $3500 for that camcorder that could produce higher quality video.

http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part1_camcorder_choices.htm

http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part2_connect_camcorder.htm

http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/products?m=gp&pid=1017#_030

Are videos on the Canon SX10 as good as the one on the Canon FS100 video camera?

jhoo828

I need a nice (not HD) video camera. I decided that an SD-based Canon FS100 would at least be close to the image quality on my old Sony TRV250 Hi-8 camcorder. Rather than pay for the FS100 alone, would the video quality on a new Canon SX10IS be about the same as well as giving me a nice still cam?

Answer
You can't quite get both in a single model, yet.

By spec, the Canon's movie mode is decent enough... it's recording at 640x480, which is a "square pixel" version of the standard 720x480 that pretty much all NTSC SD camcorders use... slighly lower pixel count, but it's not a huge issue. Canon still recording tends to be in same ballpark as lower cost video camera video... I have not used this particular model, but in general, I can state this. 30fps will be a bit more "movie like" than the 60i (interlaced) you would get with regular video. If you're making DVDs, you might notice this, particularly with sports and other fast moving things. If your goal is computer video, the non-interlaced video from the SX100 might actually be preferable (I don't know if the FS100 has a progressive mode... most of Canon's HD models do today).

So look at compression.. the SX10 can record 1 hr. 30 min on an 8GB flash card, while the FS100 at top quality can record 1hr. 50min.. That sounds like the SX10 is actually using less compression, but we have to check the format. The FS100 records in MPEG-2, as used on all DVDs. At that bitrate, the FS100 is slightly better than DVD quality.

Checking into the SX10, I find that, like most digital still cameras, the SX10 uses Motion-JPEG for video, which is very similar to the DV format. To DV and MJPEG are simpler compression schemes than MPEG-2, so you need more bits per second to get the same quality. DV camcorders use 25Mb/s, while the SX10 is recording around 11Mb/s here. So I would expect this video to be relatively low quality, compared to DVD or the FS100, at least in terms of digital noise (artifacts and other ugly bits due to compression). It might still look fine, but it's probably more like one of the FS100 "long play" modes rather than top quality.

Next is sound.. most digital still cameras have pretty evil microphones, in mono, and no way to add an external one. The SX10 is a bit better than this.. you can't add a mic, but at least it's recording in stereo. Also, the mics are apparently just above the lens housing, and thus less probe to being blocked by your hands (a real problem with many still cameras used for video).

Then there's "features while recording". Traditionally, most digital still cameras with video recording were not good camcorders, even given their limitations, because some features didn't work during recording. The first one I had with this mode, a Canon from the 90s, didn't even keep the viewscreen active. It's more common for autofocus, autoexposure, and/or zoom to not function while doing video. Some do it.. I have a Panasonic TZ5 which does keep everything active during video, and functions as a somewhat reasonable camcorder (with bad sound and too-high compression, but I have used it as a third video camera on shoots from time to time). So I looked it up, and while it's not easy to find, one review (included below) did find that auto-focus/exposure remain active during video, and you can zoom. In general, this camera is better designed for video than most.. for example, there's a separate video button which can be used in any photo mode -- most DSCs make you switch to a different "movie mode", which is a bit annoying (my Panny is like this).

So yeah, I would bet that the SX10 would deliver video comparable to the TRV250, if not quite on par with the FS100. And naturally, the stills will be dramatically better than using the FS100 as a still camera. You are limited to 4GB file sizes, which means you get about 40 minutes at top quality before you have to stop shooting, but you can start again right away if you have an 8GB memory card (my Panasonic is the same way... it's because they use the FAT32 file system on the SD card, which is limited to 4GB maximum). With some limitations, it's going to be decent for casual video use, much better at least than most digital still cameras.

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what color powerpoint presentation would be good if I have to use a projector and video camera?

best video camera for recording presentations image

John S

I have to make a powerpoint presentation, then project it on to a white board and stand there and give a lecture based on the power point slides. The lecture will be recorded with a video camera. The lighting is strong in the room and good for the video camera. But, what color powerpoint presentation would show well in strong light and with a video camera? Thanks

Answer
I have recently write this article about background color for presentation so I think I could contribute to your question pretty well. If you have the light on all the time and recording it, you probably want to avoid using darker color as background with white color font.

For usability purpose, having a white background and black color font like the traditional BCG presentations would work. Otherwise, choose a light background color and match it with black color font will work well too.

I hope I have answered your question well.

how do you make a video without having to literaly record one with a camera?

Julia

people make videos with pictures and words they type themselves without having to use a video camera to record it or anything like that. how?

Answer
The process all ends with a video-editing program (i.e. Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro, Pinnacle Studio, Sony Vegas, Apple iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, etc.), or an animation program like Blender or Adobe Flash, or a video graphics program like Adobe After Effects.

To get there, it's a matter of what elements are going into the video. Are they still photos? PowerPoint/Keynote/Impress presentations? Animations? Whatever the case, the program that you use to create them should have a still image export or video export option. You can then take these files into your video-editing, animation, or graphics program.

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Can I take my digital camera to a Rammstein concert?

best camera for professional video recording image

astrozombi

Well I am going to see Rammstein perform at the LA forum tomorrow and on the site it says that professional cameras and audio/video recording devices are not allowed. Does this include my little casio exilim digital camera? I want to take pictures and I don't want to use my phone (it sucks).

Thanks. :D

Answer
Yeah you just can't try to sell the pictures and vidoes you take. As long as you use it just for yourself and not to sell.

Looking for a professional video camcorder for independent film making?

Gage

I'm looking for a professional video camera that can be used for an independent feature film. I want image quality that I can be proud of so that I can send my work off to a Film Festival. My budget is between $2000-3000 and don't want to go over $5000. The camera MUST have a place to plug in an external microphone and must come with a lens (hopefully a detachable one). I'd like for the camera to be used on multiple brands of tripods and dolly equipment.

Answer
My definition of "professional video camcorder includes:
Lens filter diameter 70mm or larger
Imaging chip (preferably 3CCD, though 3CMOS is acceptable)

When you find the camcorder with these attributes, all the other stuff is included:
audio input
manual audio gain control
separate manual focus and zoom rings on the lens barrel
XLR audio connectors
lots of other stuff.

An interchangeable lens system can be found on the low end using dSLR cameras and a few prosumer camcorders... or *really* high end camcorders. Your price range is the low end of pro-grade camcorders and includes the prosumer Sony HDR-FX1000 and pro Canon XHA1. We don't know which tripods or dollys you'll be using, but generally the standard 1/4" thread mount is available and standard.

A person with experience, skill and a compelling story can provide great results. A person with no experience and skill generally won't - it does not matter how good the equipment is.

Tip: You should be recording the audio externally - not depending on the camcorder's audio recording subsection (other than for synching the external audio)...

Depending on the Film Festival you plan to enter, it is very possible your "competition" is using equipment like the Red Epic or something from Silicon Imaging.

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How Can I record video games with a camcorder?

What video cameras are not sensitive to sound?

best video camera for recording concerts image

Brittany M

I need a camera to record my friend's and I. We make a LOT of really loud noise.. I also wanted to take this camera to a concert one day and (the Lady I want to see is really loud) I notice a bunch of people record concerts of hers on youtube and they pick up very good sound quality. It is really important that we get a non sensitive to sound video camera so we can create these videos for our facebook page and youtube channel. Maybe even school projects.

Answer
The issue is not whether a particular camcorder or camera that records video is "sensitive" to sound, but rather whether the audio gain can be controlled so when loud audio happens, the camcorder's automatic audio gain control is not overwhelmed resulting in static or muddy audio being recorded.

For consumer grade camcorders at the ow end, *some* have a setting called "mic attenuation". "Normal" audio is recorded with attenuation off. For loud audio, go into the camcorder menu and select Mic attenuation to be on.

As the camcorders get more expensive manual audio control get more granular - that is, rather than "loud or normal" it is more like a volume control. This is the best way to go... The Canon HF R series has the attenuator selection. The HF M and HF S series have 10-12 steps to control the audio level. Similarly priced Sony and Panasonic camcorders will have similar functionality.

Good luck not getting the camcorder confiscated during the concert... once they take it, the camcorder is gone forever. Hope you can afford that.

What is a good but not really expensive video camera to buy?

eK

I want to buy a video camera to make videos like stuff to put on you tube or record concerts, what is a good quality video camera I can get for not extremly expensive? (not over 125$)

Answer
I recommend the Fujifilm Finepix S1000fd, it's not actually a video camera but takes great video, and also awesome pictures.

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How to adjust the lighting on a digital camera video recording?

best digital camera for video recording image

MonroeGirl

So I recorded a video on my digital camera, unfortunately the lighting was not the greatest. Is there anyway to enhance the video to make it brighter?

Answer
There is hope.

First off, the great thing about digital is that it's easier to get a good image from a dark one than it is from one that's overblown. The reason being is this: the sensors on a digital camera only soak up so much light before they turn to white. If a pixel is recorded as white (blown out, zebra striped, etc.), there is absolutely no way of bringing it back down to a color.

When shooting film, the exact is opposite. A bit off topic but good to know.

So, unless what you shot is completely black, and even if it is, there's sure to be some data in those pixels, and data in pixels is a good thing! Having data in a pixel means it recorded the image. However, finding that image requires the proper software.

A basic editing program with decent image control is Final Cut Pro. I would assume Windows Movie Maker and most video editing programs would have the most elementary of controls as well. What you want to look for is:

1.) Levels - If you have the option of working with levels, you can bring the blacks / shadows up to a visible range, while leaving the midtones and highlights relatively untouched.

2.) Brightness / Exposure - If you have the option of working with brightness or exposure, you can boost the blacks / shadows up to a visible level, but keep in mind anything that looks good now will become overblown or white.

3.) Saturation - If you have the option of adjusting saturation, this may be a good step after adjusting the light levels of your image. Usually when you boost the 'brightness' of an image, it also becomes more washed out, which can be countered by boosting the saturation until you get a natural look.

4.) Noise Reduction - This adjustment would be the icing on the cake. When you boost those shadows, you'll quickly notice that they're very grainy. Noise reduction helps to lower than grainy look, but also tends to slightly blur an image. Worth a try at the very least.

In the future, there are a few things you can do to avoid a repeat. Look for these settings on your camera:

-F Stop - rare for low end cameras, but if you have control of the F stop, you can adjust the brightness and depth of field (area of picture that's blurred or clear) by increasing or decreasing the numbers. The smaller the number, the brighter the picture. Also, the smaller the number, the less depth of field you have. This is also known as aperture.

-ISO / film speed - Film speed or ISO is how quickly the sensor records the image. This affects the amount of light necessary to light a scene. A lower ISO (200) is slower to absorb light, but will give you less grain or noise in your video. A higher ISO (1600) will be easier to light with little light, but will also be much more grainy (noise).

Hope that helps!

I'm looking for a 12 mp minimum, HD video recording digital camera?

Q. I'm looking for a digital camera with HD video recording capability.
I want it to have a descent optical zoom, a minimum of 12 mega pixels and good recording capabilities at night time (and photo).
What kind of camera/make should I look for? Any suggestions?

Answer
Megapixels means nothing these days.. do you print out on A2? No? Good then you don't need more then 8 Megapixels

Right that said a good lens does matters. Good glass is so nice to have! And of course looking for image quality always important sometimes it is better to invest in a more limited model with better image quality because.. well you want the best right?

Night time recording? What is your budget? The point is that the laws of nature don't change to make a picture or a video you need LIGHT! Raising ISO' s will only get you so far..


I guess a DSLR could, it has a nice big sensor so low noise and coupled with the right lens [in your case a wide aperture prime] it would give relative noise free images and video at night. Do buy one with an external sound jack though because the in build microphones are usually pretty good at catching wind noise.

So most basic DSLR with HD video + Prime Lens + Tripod [really you are going to need it] and the basic set of memory cards and batteries. Oh and of course an external Microphone.. mmm $1100?

You know a HD video camera is cheaper.. but won't make as nice still shots ;)

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What kind of point and shoot camera has a fast shutter response?

best slr camera for hd video recording image

Rayne Wolf

Just what the question says. I'm a person that loves to take pictures, but I don't do it because I can't find a camera that has a fast shutter response. Just to be clear, I'm talking about the time between pressing the button to take the picture and when the picture actually takes. I see the perfect opportunity for photos all the time, but then by the time the picture is actually taken, whatever I'm taking a photo of has moved.

I don't want an SLR because I'm not a photographer and it'd really be just a waist of money. I'm looking for digital point and shoot cameras. I'd also like to have the possibility of HD video recording on the camera but my heart isn't set on it.

Answer
Shutter lag is caused by the camera's Auto Focus (AF) system and if it's too sluggish, taking photos can be quite frustrating. On cameras that do have problems with shutter lag...the trick to minimize lag is to allow the camera to lock in the focus by half pressing the shutter button, then when focus has been achieved...hold it there till the moment is right, then press the button down fully to take the shot. This allows less missed opportunities, but is still somewhat annoying having to do it all the time.

Luckily, these days you can get compact/point and shoot cameras that have minimal shutter lag, so are very quick to take a picture. This is due to improved processors and much improved AF systems.

In the link below you will see a list of some reviewed camera models. There are many more models that aren't in the list...you would have to see older reviews on the same site. As you can see, the camera up the top of the list takes around 0.15 secs to take one photo. The slowest camera in the list takes around 1.6 secs to take a picture. Times for taking 5 photos and using the flash are also included...
http://www.cameras.co.uk/html/shutter-lag-comparisons.cfm?sort=ShutterLag

Be aware that the fastest compact cameras don't necessarily take the best quality photos...so it's best to read individual reviews before making a decision.

Here are other review pages that include image samples and performance times...
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Can you get still images from video recorded from a DSLR?

Smee

I'm wondering if it is possible to get still images from a HD video that was recorded on a digital SLR camera. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Yes, but you won't get anything beyond 2 MP because HD is just that.

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Whats the best video camera for recording live music?

good video camera for recording live music image

Jamie

Whats the best video camera, for under $500, that i can record good live music and have a pretty good image quality?

Answer
You need a camera with good mics and adjustable sound levels for the loud concert:

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Q3-null-Optical-Screen/dp/B002J95GVI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1297458274&sr=1-1

Whats the best video camera for recording live music?

Jamie

Whats the best video camera, for under $500, that i can record good live music and have a pretty good image quality?

Answer
http://www.soundmakesthemovie.com/

Video quality is similar to something like a Flip camera (passable, not great) but the sound is pretty good. You can get one for under $300 if you look around.

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What are some digital cameras that can also record videos?

best digital camera for video recording reviews image

Q. Like, at least a video thats 5 mmin. long. ya i know depenging on the memory.
Cuz i got DV304 canon today. its so cheap and ugly. 10 secs of vid and idk. i dont like it.

i need a small digital camera that can record videos too. small size of course. and slim and thin. w/e.

kk thnx!

Answer
I got the canon SD 750 about a week ago, and I love it compared to the previous cameras that I have owned. I bought it because of the high review rates for the price of $299. One of the many great features is it take 1 second to turn on, and your ready to take a picture, so you can almost instintly take a picture, once you know your subject. It also has great features like color accent mode or color switch mode. Well, the movie feature that you are wondering about, depends on the amount of memory that you have. You can also use a sd card and it can hold well over 1,000 pics with a 2 gig SD card. It can aso take well over 20min of video with the same card. This card can cost about $45. The camera itself is really small and thin, for all the features it has. You can download pics to your computer by using mini usb cable included with the camera. Overall I think this camera would be perfect for tourism, sport events, events, and protraits.

Looking for a good digital camera?

DLS_CB

Hey guys, I am looking to buy a moderately inexpensive digital camera (35-85 bucks).

I am just planning on using this for taking pictures of myself or my friends, just casual stuff. Video recording isn't really needed, self-timer would be nice.

I know I can probably just spend 2 hours looking all over the internet for one, but I really don't trust some of the reviews on those sites.

I prefer to listen to my trusted comrades here on yahoo answers :)

Answer
my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
be sure to check titles on the left side
the guide should answer your questions

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How to adjust the lighting on a digital camera video recording?

best digital still camera for video recording image

MonroeGirl

So I recorded a video on my digital camera, unfortunately the lighting was not the greatest. Is there anyway to enhance the video to make it brighter?

Answer
There is hope.

First off, the great thing about digital is that it's easier to get a good image from a dark one than it is from one that's overblown. The reason being is this: the sensors on a digital camera only soak up so much light before they turn to white. If a pixel is recorded as white (blown out, zebra striped, etc.), there is absolutely no way of bringing it back down to a color.

When shooting film, the exact is opposite. A bit off topic but good to know.

So, unless what you shot is completely black, and even if it is, there's sure to be some data in those pixels, and data in pixels is a good thing! Having data in a pixel means it recorded the image. However, finding that image requires the proper software.

A basic editing program with decent image control is Final Cut Pro. I would assume Windows Movie Maker and most video editing programs would have the most elementary of controls as well. What you want to look for is:

1.) Levels - If you have the option of working with levels, you can bring the blacks / shadows up to a visible range, while leaving the midtones and highlights relatively untouched.

2.) Brightness / Exposure - If you have the option of working with brightness or exposure, you can boost the blacks / shadows up to a visible level, but keep in mind anything that looks good now will become overblown or white.

3.) Saturation - If you have the option of adjusting saturation, this may be a good step after adjusting the light levels of your image. Usually when you boost the 'brightness' of an image, it also becomes more washed out, which can be countered by boosting the saturation until you get a natural look.

4.) Noise Reduction - This adjustment would be the icing on the cake. When you boost those shadows, you'll quickly notice that they're very grainy. Noise reduction helps to lower than grainy look, but also tends to slightly blur an image. Worth a try at the very least.

In the future, there are a few things you can do to avoid a repeat. Look for these settings on your camera:

-F Stop - rare for low end cameras, but if you have control of the F stop, you can adjust the brightness and depth of field (area of picture that's blurred or clear) by increasing or decreasing the numbers. The smaller the number, the brighter the picture. Also, the smaller the number, the less depth of field you have. This is also known as aperture.

-ISO / film speed - Film speed or ISO is how quickly the sensor records the image. This affects the amount of light necessary to light a scene. A lower ISO (200) is slower to absorb light, but will give you less grain or noise in your video. A higher ISO (1600) will be easier to light with little light, but will also be much more grainy (noise).

Hope that helps!

I'm looking for a 12 mp minimum, HD video recording digital camera?

Q. I'm looking for a digital camera with HD video recording capability.
I want it to have a descent optical zoom, a minimum of 12 mega pixels and good recording capabilities at night time (and photo).
What kind of camera/make should I look for? Any suggestions?

Answer
Megapixels means nothing these days.. do you print out on A2? No? Good then you don't need more then 8 Megapixels

Right that said a good lens does matters. Good glass is so nice to have! And of course looking for image quality always important sometimes it is better to invest in a more limited model with better image quality because.. well you want the best right?

Night time recording? What is your budget? The point is that the laws of nature don't change to make a picture or a video you need LIGHT! Raising ISO' s will only get you so far..


I guess a DSLR could, it has a nice big sensor so low noise and coupled with the right lens [in your case a wide aperture prime] it would give relative noise free images and video at night. Do buy one with an external sound jack though because the in build microphones are usually pretty good at catching wind noise.

So most basic DSLR with HD video + Prime Lens + Tripod [really you are going to need it] and the basic set of memory cards and batteries. Oh and of course an external Microphone.. mmm $1100?

You know a HD video camera is cheaper.. but won't make as nice still shots ;)

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what is a high quality camera for recording music?

best video camera for recording piano image

TYcck

what is a high quality camera for recording music (singing, piano, electric guitar, drums)?
how can you make music videos smooth and professional sounding? i don't have a studio either.

Answer
Well, you don't say what kind of budget your have but, you want high quality so, start with this article - http://www.videomaker.com/article/8243/ - Now, that you understand a little about what's involved, here is one of the least expensive high quality cameras. The average price if a high qualtiy camera is around $10,000.

However, for recording live sound, if you want the highest quality, you need to record it with Pro Tools recording software directly off the mixer that the band plays through and you then need to sync your video with the Pro Tools audio using Pro Tools.

What video camera is good for youtube covers?

Charlotte

Im thinking of doing some covers on youtube singing or playing piano or guitar not sure yet, what video camera should i use i have a camera already but it dont pick up sound well and its not in HD.

Answer
It doesnt really matter what kind you get. Sony is a good brand if you want to try them. Make sure you ask how well the audio records and if it recordes in HD.

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