Online Video Production Equipment
To produce a quality online video, you need to know the basics of camera equipment and video editing software.
Digital cameras are the standard for quality video production, producing much higher quality videos than traditional analog cameras. There are a variety of digital cameras capable of producing professional quality video.
Selecting a Camera
The primary difference among digital cameras is the storing and saving functions. Mini-DV cameras use a small cassette tape, DVD-R cameras use recordable DVDs, hard drive cameras store footage internally and other cameras use SD or memory cards.
Regardless of the type of camera you select, be certain you understand how the stored footage is transferred to a computer, edited and uploaded to an online format. You also need to make sure the camera has all of the necessary ports and components to connect to your computer.
When selecting a camera, features to consider include pixels (higher is better), low-light performance, the zoom mechanism and weight distribution and size. You may want to use a tripod to ensure a steady image.
Sound quality is also very important, as often external microphones need to be connected to the camera to produce the highest quality sound. Make sure your camera has this capability.
Editing Software
To produce the final version of your video, you need editing software. Most home computers offer this software as standard with purchase. Mac offers iMovie and most PCs offer Movie Maker, which will both allow you to make a basic video.
There are more professional quality packages for purchase, as well as free software packages. For your online video, the standard software packages are fairly intuitive and offer tutorials. Each package allows for editing video and audio, adding photos, logos, text, music and narration.
Before you start production on your online video, you need to know your equipment. Take some time to learn about everything it will take to make an effective and top-quality product.
Other articles in Online Video Production
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Production environment
Understanding video file formats
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