Reccomendations or tips on purchasing Video Camera?

[tylertt]

Hey Hive,

So my gaming group decided to start making some batreps for fun as we all enjoy watching batreps on youtube and thought we could input into the community as well. The thing is that we only have a lower quality camera as of right now and we are thinking of getting a better quality camera.

Now I don't know all that much about video cameras and did not know how all out I should go with one. So I was wondering if anyone who has any experience or knowledge of them, could you please help shed some light on the subject for me.

I don't want to go and spend 350+ on a camera I could have bought for only 150-250.

[Overread]

What country are you in? (affects the prices a lot).

I can't comment really on video cameras save to give a few thoughts;

1) A big thing with battle reports is audio. If you're going to have any spoken parts consider how you are going to do them;
a) Mics on the players as they play - a few of those small mics that clip onto their shirts would be ideal; although if you go this way try to game without other people around - nothing is worse than having to turn the volume up lots just trying to hear the players over people in the background

b) Commentator after the event - gives the chance to record audio in a quieter environment and since you only need one mic and it hasn't got to be tiny you can get a decent larger one.

c) Music over the top - can work well but not ideal for longer complex games; esp if you want to explain what's happening - any music you do use make sure to get copyright free material (There is loads out there on various sites). If you want copyrighted material get the creators permission.
This not only helps protect the general music industry and copyright; but it also protects your videos from being pulled off youtube and other services because of copyright claims.

2) Lighting - so long as you've a decent camera and a decent bit of lighting in the room you shouldn't need too much of this for youtube quality videos. That said if you find you've got some free budget look into things such as light stands - constant lighting and constant lighting softboxes. A bit more light can work wonders in helping to show the detail on the table and; like audio; good lighting is often the difference between good and bad videos.

3) You will want a tripod - what kind depends on how you're going to do the videos. I would advise trying to avoid shaky handheld cam effect where possible - if you don't need to handhold the camera put it on the tripod for stability.

4) Editing software - some cameras might come with it others won't so have a mind to finding commercial or freeware software that you can use for this.

I'm afraid I can't comment on specific makes and models of cameras (my area is photography rather than video). You might actually find it helpful to ask people like Wargamergirl and other who make high quality videos on youtube as to what equipment they are using. Most should be more than happy to share details of their setup and experiences.