Video Camera Advice For Transparent Video Use

Christian Fox · 10-06-2009, 04:07 PM

I bought Josh Andersons package on transparent video and am excited to get to work on my recording room. (blue screen chromakey)

He makes a few recommendations for cameras but I have another question. I don't really need a camera that records to tape as he recommends. I would be fine with a camera that recorded directly to my pc via Firewire or usb? I don't foresee any need for me to get out of cable range from my PC.

I am not up on my video cameras at all I know I definitely need an external mic. Can I get away with an older but still quality camera if I record directly to my PC? I really don't care if it's an older larger model as long as it is of sufficient quality.

Any recommendations?

I know very little about cameras.

Louise Green · 10-06-2009, 05:41 PM

I haven't used the package you mention but I have used chroma key with different cameras.

Obviously the better quality camera, the better quality end result but chroma key can be used with any camera, it's the lighting that really matters.

Make sure your green screen has even lighting across it and the results should be good.. also if you apply a light blur with the chroma key, it should blend things perfectly.

Best of luck

Steve Robertson · 10-06-2009, 05:42 PM

Hi Christian,

Getting good results when making a video with a transparent background depends on a couple of key considerations:

camera resolution and good lighting

And these are related. The better camcorders have better, larger lenses and larger CCDs or CMOS chips. This allows the camcorder to create video with a higher resolution. But even with these expensive camcorders, low light will cause the resolution to suffer. In low light, any camcorder will turn up the "gain," creating grainy footage that will be difficult to key.

All things considered, older camcorders and/or less expensive camcorders are likely to be lower resolution than newer or more expensive camcorders. Unless you go into the pro market and find an older camera of the type used by TV news crews.

If you have software for your computer that will allow you to capture directly from the camcorder (bypassing tape), the captured footage will be identical to capturing from tape. Just stay away from camcorders that use something other than standard DV output. Some of these camcorders that use small DVDs or hard drives compress the video for compact storage and make life difficult for you when it comes to editing and post processing.

Steve R.
R.A.M. Video

Christian Fox · 10-06-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the advice. I am aware that lighting is important. I plan on building some soft box lights with dimmers and some other lighting so I can get that right. I can plug in direct to my pc with firewire so no need for tapes really. I have a room I am going to use for audio and video.

I'll be Using Adobe Ultra Cs3 and probably Flv Producer to encode the video.

10-06-2009, 04:07 PM	#1
Christian Fox No Fate But What U Make! War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jenison, MI Posts: 840 Thanks: 64 Thanked 36 Times in 30 Posts	Video Camera Advice For Transparent Video Use I bought Josh Andersons package on transparent video and am excited to get to work on my recording room. (blue screen chromakey) He makes a few recommendations for cameras but I have another question. I don't really need a camera that records to tape as he recommends. I would be fine with a camera that recorded directly to my pc via Firewire or usb? I don't foresee any need for me to get out of cable range from my PC. I am not up on my video cameras at all I know I definitely need an external mic. Can I get away with an older but still quality camera if I record directly to my PC? I really don't care if it's an older larger model as long as it is of sufficient quality. Any recommendations? I know very little about cameras.

10-06-2009, 05:41 PM	#2
Louise Green Marketing Since 2002 War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474 Thanks: 402 Thanked 480 Times in 183 Posts	Re: Video Camera Advice For Transparent Video Use I haven't used the package you mention but I have used chroma key with different cameras. Obviously the better quality camera, the better quality end result but chroma key can be used with any camera, it's the lighting that really matters. Make sure your green screen has even lighting across it and the results should be good.. also if you apply a light blur with the chroma key, it should blend things perfectly. Best of luck
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10-06-2009, 05:42 PM	#3
Steve Robertson HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Georgia, USA. Posts: 431 Thanks: 1 Thanked 25 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Video Camera Advice For Transparent Video Use Hi Christian, Getting good results when making a video with a transparent background depends on a couple of key considerations: camera resolution and good lighting And these are related. The better camcorders have better, larger lenses and larger CCDs or CMOS chips. This allows the camcorder to create video with a higher resolution. But even with these expensive camcorders, low light will cause the resolution to suffer. In low light, any camcorder will turn up the "gain," creating grainy footage that will be difficult to key. All things considered, older camcorders and/or less expensive camcorders are likely to be lower resolution than newer or more expensive camcorders. Unless you go into the pro market and find an older camera of the type used by TV news crews. If you have software for your computer that will allow you to capture directly from the camcorder (bypassing tape), the captured footage will be identical to capturing from tape. Just stay away from camcorders that use something other than standard DV output. Some of these camcorders that use small DVDs or hard drives compress the video for compact storage and make life difficult for you when it comes to editing and post processing. Steve R. R.A.M. Video
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10-06-2009, 06:05 PM	#4
Christian Fox No Fate But What U Make! War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jenison, MI Posts: 840 Thanks: 64 Thanked 36 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Video Camera Advice For Transparent Video Use Thanks for the advice. I am aware that lighting is important. I plan on building some soft box lights with dimmers and some other lighting so I can get that right. I can plug in direct to my pc with firewire so no need for tapes really. I have a room I am going to use for audio and video. I'll be Using Adobe Ultra Cs3 and probably Flv Producer to encode the video.