Video Marketing: Which Camcorder?

6 replies
I am planning to do a lot of online videos for youtube and also one sales video with complete white or black background (The one like in Apple commercials that can be achieved by over exposing a simple white background).

Currently I own a Sony Handycam (DCR-DVD910), a cheap tripod, 8 GB sony HG pro duo flash card. Do I need to upgrade to HD? My handycam is not HD capable.

I went through Gideon's suggestion and was thinking about getting Kodak Zi8 or Flip for HD videos. Do you think that is necessary?

Canon VIXIA HF M32 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder 4743B001 B&H

I also found this to be a great deal. Please suggest.

The video quality of my current cam is OK with decent lighting. I haven't tried to set up a three point lighting system. But I am not sure if that is good enough for a sales video.

For audio, I have bought SONY ICD-PX820 voice recorder and Audio-Technica ATR35 lavalier microphone.

P.S: I know that at the end, what matters is the content of the video.
#camcorder #marketing #video
  • Profile picture of the author billspaced
    Originally Posted by smallbusinessguy View Post

    I am planning to do a lot of online videos for youtube and also one sales video with complete white or black background (The one like in Apple commercials that can be achieved by over exposing a simple white background).

    Currently I own a Sony Handycam (DCR-DVD910), a cheap tripod, 8 GB sony HG pro duo flash card. Do I need to upgrade to HD? My handycam is not HD capable.

    I went through Gideon's suggestion and was thinking about getting Kodak Zi8 or Flip for HD videos. Do you think that is necessary?

    Canon VIXIA HF M32 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder 4743B001 B&H

    I also found this to be a great deal. Please suggest.

    The video quality of my current cam is OK with decent lighting. I haven't tried to set up a three point lighting system. But I am not sure if that is good enough for a sales video.

    For audio, I have bought SONY ICD-PX820 voice recorder and Audio-Technica ATR35 lavalier microphone.

    P.S: I know that at the end, what matters is the content of the video.
    I absolutely LOVE my Kodak Zi8. I think they've been discontinued, though, so you'll have to get the newer model.

    The HD is stunning. It works *okay* in low light. Best to have good external lighting. The built-in mic works reasonably well, but an external is better.

    Still photos are really good, too, by the way. Great digicam in a pinch.
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    Bill Davis
    Chief Marketing Officer, SoMoLo Marketing

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    • Profile picture of the author smallbusinessguy
      Originally Posted by billspaced View Post

      I absolutely LOVE my Kodak Zi8. I think they've been discontinued, though, so you'll have to get the newer model.

      The HD is stunning. It works *okay* in low light. Best to have good external lighting. The built-in mic works reasonably well, but an external is better.

      Still photos are really good, too, by the way. Great digicam in a pinch.
      Yes now that I saw their site, it;s no longer available. The newer version Kodak PLAYSPORT Zx5 seems to be pretty good as per the initial reviews I saw and it's very cheap at less than 120$.

      It's the editing software you probably need to look closer at.
      I already have Sony Vegas Pro and Cyberlink power Director.

      Why don't you try a few short productions and go through the entire process of filming and editing?
      I did take some videos. However, since I do not have the lights yet, I am still to test with good lighting set up.
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  • Profile picture of the author ~kev~
    I use a canon SX130 IS for all of my videos and pictures. The only problem I have had, is the camera takes a few seconds to focus in really low light. By low light, I mean by a campfire, or using a flashlight in the woods.

    The sx130 films in 1020p HD, and takes pics up to 12 megapixel, and it has something like a 12x zoom.

    Video about a boat ride filmed with the sx130

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    • Profile picture of the author smallbusinessguy
      Originally Posted by ~kev~ View Post

      I use a canon SX130 IS for all of my videos and pictures. The only problem I have had, is the camera takes a few seconds to focus in really low light. By low light, I mean by a campfire, or using a flashlight in the woods.

      The sx130 films in 1020p HD, and takes pics up to 12 megapixel, and it has something like a 12x zoom.

      Video about a boat ride filmed with the sx130

      Boat ride into wilderness area - YouTube
      It costs 175-250$ depending on which country you buy it from.

      It still costs above the Kodak one. My question to you is, is it good for face shots and interview style videos?
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      • Profile picture of the author ~kev~
        Originally Posted by smallbusinessguy View Post

        It still costs above the Kodak one. My question to you is, is it good for face shots and interview style videos?
        Check my youtube channel, all of my videos for the past year have been filmed with the sx130

        survivalistboards's Channel - YouTube

        The welcome video on my youtube channel was filmed with a Canon SD750, it films in 640x480 and at 30fps. Some of my older videos from 2009 were filmed with a Canon D10 waterproof camera. The D10 waterproof has some sound issues, so I stopped using that camera for video.

        In the first video I posted, go to the 0:30 second mark and watch from there for the next 15 - 20 seconds.

        Notice how well the colors stand out, the blues, the greens, the details. There is very little blur as the water goes under the boat, and the sky is reflecting off the water.

        One of my most recent videos about a forest fire. This video has some facetime in it.

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  • Profile picture of the author mlm2gether
    Hi ....in my opinion it doesn't matter what camera you intend using. I see great videos done with webcam, flip, powerpoint, Jing, even the handycam you have/had is a start. It's all in the planning. Text video (kinetic typography) is huge at the moment in all sorts of places. It's in the planning.

    You must have some good vids up by now. How is it all going? Which editing programs are you using now?
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