Video Futures and Futures Planning
Equipment Recommendations: What equipment you can’t live without
Camcorder consider Panasonic PV-GS35 Mini DV, probable cost: $450
Must have high quality picture and sound. Important features for the self modeler include: line out or firewire jacks; headphone & microphone jacks; image stabilizer; manual iris or back light control; auto & manual focus; viewfinder eyepiece for shooting outdoors; tripod connection, and not bottom-loading tapes. Any such camcorder is good!
These days we recommend the DV (tape) format because prices are coming down and it offers significant editing advantages. In the near future camcorders with DVD or solid state memory for movie recording will become competitive. Theoretically, Digital 8 should be as good as DV, but we’ve seen some problems. Hi-8 and even S-VHS-C are still good (and much cheaper) options—but increasingly they don’t have simple but important features such as microphone or headphone jacks. Used camcorder recommendation: Sharp VL-Z7U Mini DV.
Video Cassette Recorder any major brand (Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, etc) VHS about: $100
Provided it has the following features: good quality picture and sound, line in jacks (preferably on the front), line out jacks, efficient pause control, and flying erase heads. Check Consumer Reports for minimal repair reputations (currently Panasonic scores best). Avoid the cheap, 2-head machines of any brand. Currently, we recommend VHS format for the self model tape product only because it is very to be more convenient for viewing purposes. If your client/trainee/student has preferred access to something else, then you will need to be flexible. DVD is rapidly becoming more popular. The future will see more digital formats, including Web streaming.
Note of DVDs. DVDs are now cheap enough and DVD players are ubiquitous enough to include this option. If you edit on computer (recommended), it’s easy to cut a DVD. Just note, the DVD may have compatibility problems on DVD players (+R, -R, etc.), though should be fine on another computer. If you do crash editing, you will need a VCR to hook up to your camcorder.
TV / Monitor any medium quality, 20"- 27" about: $300
Features for self modelers include sufficient size and quality for rewarding viewing and line in jacks, preferably on the front. If you edit on a computer, a TV-style monitor is not necessary; but see Section 3 for Additional Monitors.
Patch Cords: 1 video and 1 or 2 audio RCA type $7, and/or firewire: $20
Other patch cords (S-video, component video) may be applicable, but not essential—check your equipment manual or vendor. Essential: enough patch cords of the right type, for the equipment you use. Almost certainly what comes with the camera, VCR, etc. will be insufficient. And the industry is notorious for its confusing array of connectors. In particular, there are two types of firewire connector, 4- and 6-pin.
Videotapes DV, any name brand, 5 pack, around: $30
VHS medium grade, any name brand, 5 pack: $10
If applicable, Hi8 or S-VHS-C metal particle, don’t get metal evaporated type; 4 pack: $12
Features to consider are medium quality tape and robust transport/packaging—and what not to get. We recommend standard length tapes from established
electronic or photo equipment manufacturers. We recommend against extended length tapes (they are thinner) and against store brands or any brand you don’t
recognize.
