Informative Movie Monday

So I am starting a new topic on Mondays. Product reviews are extremely helpful especially in todays economy.  Having the right information can save hours of stress in making the perfect decision.

See all Grocery reviews at Expotv.com

Canon Announces Prices For Its 2009 Camcorder Lineup

Yesterday Canon announced its prices for their 2009 consumer camcorder.

Camcorder Info. has all the 411. 

Check it.

What Do People Say About You

Check out more from Ben.

Take This Survey

I invite you to participate in this first survey of several that examine the State of the Church Online.  This survey begins by examining what churches are doing with social media and community networks.  

(ht digital.leadnet)

Flip The Switch.

Switch is a great FREE audio converter that will convert your Pastor’s messages to a nice small mp3.

 You can convert your sound files into the formats you need to compress for storage, create ringtones, add to a presentation, listen on your portable device and much more.  Windows or Mac.

• Convert wav to mp3 files to save hard drive space.
• Convert mp3 to amr to load your own ringtones on your cell phone.
• To open or convert strange or audio file formats not supported by other audio software you use.
• Extract audio from video files (favorite sound bites) for your phone or other audio player.
• Convert multiple format audio files to mp3 for your iPod, PSP or phone.
• In professional audio studios to open formats not supported by your sound editor.
• As a command line plugin for other software to convert or compress audio files.

So How Was The Video?!?

This past Sunday we filmed for the first time using our new equipment.  Were starting with just one camera for now until we train and have enough volunteers consistently involved in the video part of our media team.  I wanted to give some details on the outcome of our first week.

We shot in full HD (1920x1080 30p) to a 8 gig SDHC card.  Once uploaded to Final Cut it was a 50 gig file. I spit it out at 640x360 to a more reasonable file size. (226.3mb)

Here are some screen shots.

The Unpacking

What We Got (Part Two)

Memory:

Even though the CANON has a built in hard drive, it also allows you to record to SDHC. This card will record 63 minutes at a full 1920x1080.  It’s just good to have two options to choose from.  One thing, get ready for huge file sizes.  I recorded 53 minutes of video on the card last night, after import (it converts the mts files to mov files) I had a whopping 42 GIG file. WOW!

Battery:

One of the biggest complaints about the CANON was the battery life.  Wo got the BP-819, about a 4 hour battery.  One problem I wasn’t anticipating, it does not give the remaining time left on the battery. (bummer)

Monitors:

Last we grabbed two 15” 720p TV’s for monitoring.  I have an IKAN for my monitoring needs but it wasn’t cost effective for us. I grabbed my HV-20 and headed to Best Buy to look at this monitor with a camera connected.  It looked great.  Nice crisp image that was perfect for composition and focusing.  The only issue we will have is we have to plug it in (the IKAN) runs off of camcorder batteries.  But, the price and screen size was irresistible.

What We Got!!

I’ve had some peeps on Twitter ask me what video equipment we just bought for church so I thought I would dump it all on the virtual table here.

Now I have an amazing job.  I am the Media Director for a church plant that runs about 250 a week in attendance.  It’s unheard of to have someone on staff full time for media in that small of a church, but my Pastor didn’t think so.

I had a budget of $3000.00 to get what we needed.  I think guerilla anyway so this was very easy for me to pull off!!  Here we go.

CAMERAS:

I went with two CANON HF-10’s.  Why?  Simple, It is (right now) the best small format camera out that is tapeless.  In fact it’s #1. (only behind the HV-20 and HV-30 both NOT tapeless) 

Now why are we going with consumer based cameras.  Again simple, ever heard of a show called SURVIVORMAN?  He has one Prosumer camera (about $3500.00) and several small format HDV cameras ($500-600).  So what’s my point?  That show is on Discovery in HD on TV!!!  If those little consumer $600.00 cameras are good enough for BROADCAST TELEVISION out in remote locations all over the world, then they’re good enough for a church to film their services, etc. to put online!! Right!?!

Moving on,

Next, sticks (tripods)

 We grabbed the Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 501HDV,351MVB2K. It has the 501 HDV Fluid head for smooth panning and tilting, a mid level spreader, quick release plate, etc.  It more than fits are needs and we can grow into larger cameras in the future as the costs continue to drop.

Audio:

When buying your camcorder and external microphone jack is extremely important.  The CANON has a 1/8” input jack.  We needed to convert that to XLR.  In comes the BEACHTEK.  It attaches to the bottom of the camera plugs into the 1/8” mic jack and provides two XLR inputs for the camera, both individually controlled by volume knobs on the adapter itself.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Glidecam HD1000

The Glidecam HD1000 is a lightweight, hand-held camcorder stabilizing system. This system is upgraded from the 1000 Pro and offers fine adjustments and an improved gimbal and balance system. It is designed for small format HDV Cameras 0-3 lbs. Buy yours here.

Key Features

• Upgrades from 1000 Pro

This system is upgraded in its gimbal movement and adjustment of convergence and camera balance.

• No Tools

A no tool telescoping central post allows for precision balance and easy adjustment.

• Docking Bracket

This model comes with a bonus balance and docking bra