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HD Camera + Screen Capture + Audio Recording Equipment Recommendations

by BrandyM
17 replies
I'm going to start making training videos in my niche and I want to make sure I'm using good quality.

As far as recording video, I've tried the trial version of Camtasia with just my Apple iMac iSight Camera and the computers mic or a mic from a headset. I'm sure there is a better setup. I live near an Air Force base and I'm looking for something that won't pick up every little noise around my neighborhood. I don't have a studio I can go to.

Any recommendations would be great. Looking for recommendations on possible Camera + Software + Audio combos

Thanks
#audio #camera #capture #equipment #recommendations #recording #screen
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Blades
    As far as screen capture you could use Camtasia, but you would be better off looking on Amazon for the audio and camera devices. You will find detailed reviews from people who used cameras and microphones for certain things.

    You will also be able to see the pros and cons, instead of someone just telling you what they use
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    • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
      I have found a few more good resources. I found a recommendation on another thread for EasyVideoSuite the sales page looks promising as far as software goes. Then I'm liking the lapel mic and zoom recommendation as well. Then I also a saw a recommendation for a Snowball mic and that has a lot of great reviews on Amazon. I think I'm getting closer to making a solid decision.
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      • Profile picture of the author Cool Hand Luke
        Originally Posted by BrandyM View Post

        I have found a few more good resources. I found a recommendation on another thread for EasyVideoSuite the sales page looks promising as far as software goes. Then I'm liking the lapel mic and zoom recommendation as well. Then I also a saw a recommendation for a Snowball mic and that has a lot of great reviews on Amazon. I think I'm getting closer to making a solid decision.
        Do NOT use EasyVideoSuite; if you're making a video longer than a couple of minutes or so, the software screws up the audio timing during the video rendering process. I bought it a couple of months ago and spent 10 hours or so trying to get it to to render a 22-minute video into Powerpoint, and NOTHING worked, even with the owner's suggestions.

        I even tried chopping the video into a bunch of 4-minute clips and editing those together, but it couldn't even do a 4-min video without screwing up the audio timing.
        I also noticed that everyone in the EVS forum was having this problem too.

        Eventually I ditched EVS, and just used Camtasia's PP record feature to do the video. It took all of a half hour to do it and without any of the frustration of EVS.

        Take that for what it's worth, but I can just about guarantee you're better off with Camtasia and PP than you are with EVS.

        Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

        If you're looking at usb mics like the blue snowball, spend slightly more and get the blue yeti. It sounds a lot better and you can pick from all different directional patterns to suit the environment you're in and the effect you want.
        I'll second this. I have the Blue snowball and it sounds great, especially with a decent pop filter ($15 and makes a HUGE difference).

        With that said, I've heard the Blue Yeti and it does sound a bit more crisp, especially if you're not standing or sitting still.
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        • Profile picture of the author bob ross
          Luke, your'e right about the pop filter you've got to have one of those. I originally had bout the $3 one that's sold on amazon (which took like a month to arrive!) but eventually bought the $30 blue pop filter because it blends in with the mic so well.

          My S's, B's, and P's were terrible without it.

          The Yeti is really nice, especially for the differenet pickup patterns and the fact that you can plug your headphones directly into it so you can monitor in real time.
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          • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
            Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

            Luke, your'e right about the pop filter you've got to have one of those. I originally had bout the $3 one that's sold on amazon (which took like a month to arrive!) but eventually bought the $30 blue pop filter because it blends in with the mic so well.

            My S's, B's, and P's were terrible without it.

            The Yeti is really nice, especially for the differenet pickup patterns and the fact that you can plug your headphones directly into it so you can monitor in real time.
            I'm leaning towards the snowball with a pop filter and shockmount. Do you suggest getting the shockmount as well? Have you heard the different between the snowball with and without it?
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        • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
          Originally Posted by Cool Hand Luke View Post

          Do NOT use EasyVideoSuite; if you're making a video longer than a couple of minutes or so, the software screws up the audio timing during the video rendering process. I bought it a couple of months ago and spent 10 hours or so trying to get it to to render a 22-minute video into Powerpoint, and NOTHING worked, even with the owner's suggestions.

          I even tried chopping the video into a bunch of 4-minute clips and editing those together, but it couldn't even do a 4-min video without screwing up the audio timing.
          I also noticed that everyone in the EVS forum was having this problem too.

          Eventually I ditched EVS, and just used Camtasia's PP record feature to do the video. It took all of a half hour to do it and without any of the frustration of EVS.

          Take that for what it's worth, but I can just about guarantee you're better off with Camtasia and PP than you are with EVS.



          I'll second this. I have the Blue snowball and it sounds great, especially with a decent pop filter ($15 and makes a HUGE difference).

          With that said, I've heard the Blue Yeti and it does sound a bit more crisp, especially if you're not standing or sitting still.
          Awesome thanks, I was a little nervous about the price tag on the EVS just to try it out. I'm glad you told me because I was just going to get camtasia just because of the price tag being a lot more affordable. As far as the mic I know the snowball gets higher ratings in amazon but it might be because of the price tag. but I've heard it in the video review and it sounds great for what I need it for and they have a combo pack that comes with the pop filter too.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
      Does anyone suggest the GoPro Hero for the camera?
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  • Profile picture of the author briny
    I would suggest joining some forums about Home recording / How to set up your own home recording studio. There are bound to be different opinions but overall I'm sure you will get an idea of what equipment is most popular
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  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    Atr-3350 lapel mic plugged into a zoom h1. ($120 total on amazon).
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    • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      Atr-3350 lapel mic plugged into a zoom h1. ($120 total on amazon).
      Thanks this is perfect!
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    • Profile picture of the author bob ross
      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      Atr-3350 lapel mic plugged into a zoom h1. ($120 total on amazon).
      If you're looking at usb mics like the blue snowball, spend slightly more and get the blue yeti. It sounds a lot better and you can pick from all different directional patterns to suit the environment you're in and the effect you want.
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  • Profile picture of the author 10kaday
    evs is great check it out
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    • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
      Originally Posted by 10kaday View Post

      evs is great check it out
      I love the features they have built in but I never thought about the video recording issues. I mean for the price seems like all the kinks should be worked out. I wish they had a trial version like camtasia.
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  • Profile picture of the author drlelong
    I use Camtasia with my iMac camera and a Blue Yeti.

    Camtasia is great for doing quick screen capture and editing.

    A lot of people like the iMac camera, but I think my video comes out too dark. External camera might be better.

    The Blue Yeti definitely rocks. There are some comparison videos on YouTube that demonstrate its sound versus the Blue Snowball and others.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrandyM
      Originally Posted by drlelong View Post

      I use Camtasia with my iMac camera and a Blue Yeti.

      Camtasia is great for doing quick screen capture and editing.

      A lot of people like the iMac camera, but I think my video comes out too dark. External camera might be better.

      The Blue Yeti definitely rocks. There are some comparison videos on YouTube that demonstrate its sound versus the Blue Snowball and others.

      Wow, I just listened to the difference between the Snowball and Yeti and the Yeti is way better quality. Probably even better with a pop filter.

      I guess for now I can use either my iMac cam or I also have a microsoft HD webcam I can use as well until I can upgrade to something better later. I'm mostly going to be doing screenshares and audio so I figured that's the most important in the beginning to get good sound and HD quality video.

      Camtasia for iMac is considerably less expensive only $99 compared to windows version being $299. I'm torn between which one to get. I don't have a super great windows desktop only a Sony Vaio Windows 8 laptop. The specs on the laptop will run the Camtasia Studio fine but should I invest in the windows or mac version?
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  • Profile picture of the author drlelong
    Depends where you'll be doing most of your screen captures.

    Usually, it's easier to screen capture when you have a larger monitor.

    You can also experiment with some free screencast tools:

    Screencast-o-matic
    Jing

    Screencast-o-matic as a 15 minute limit and Jing has a 5 minute limit.

    Both are great for doing quick screencasts.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Does anyone suggest the GoPro Hero for the camera?
    I have a go pro camera. The quality of video is poor. This is the latest Hero 3 Black version. Like you cannot do a close up. Do not waste your money.

    Instead, get a canon t4i camera. Video is super. Also, so are pics.
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