Guide to Making the Most of Video Production Equipment

Get your cameras and video production business rolling with video production equipment

By Rachel Davy, Writer/Editor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to use digital video equipment and create films and TV shows

It's essential to your business that you learn how to properly set up cameras and lighting equipment in a studio or remote setting. Using different lighting techniques to create dramatic effects will excite your audiences. Take the time to learn those techniques to begin creating exciting and dramatic video productions.

I recommend: Get detailed instructions on how to set up and use TV production equipment when you're going to do a camera shoot from Video Expert. Read the information about how to use video editing equipment, along with various techniques that you as a professional will need to know from Videomaker. Receive training to learn how to use digital video production equipment for various lighting techniques for studios and other environments from Lowel-Light.

Get information about the kinds of professional video equipment you'll need to start production

In order to be successful as a filmmaker, you're not only going to need to know to use film equipment but what kinds you need as well. For instance, use aerial or robot-controlled cameras to do aerial photography, and use studio cameras and trolleys for studio shoots. Determine what you need before looking for video production equipment for sale.

I recommend: Go to TVProGear.com and Mandy.com to purchase professional video equipment for pre- and post-production, as well as video production carts and other supplies. Buy video duplication equipment from Sign Video. This site also offers instructions in how to use video duplication equipment and is a great resource for information how to use video production equipment.

Buy or lease digital video equipment to save money on production costs

Since professional film equipment can be expensive, it's a good idea to buy used video equipment. That way you can still get camera turrets, video monitors and teleprompters without spending a lot of money. Another option is video production equipment leasing, which is a great idea if you're on the road and want to save on the expenses of shipping video equipment.

I recommend: Purchase used broadcast video equipment such as tripods, cranes, cameras and generators from K.P. Pro Video. Lease digital video equipment from eLease, which leases new equipment so that you can get the latest technology at the lowest cost.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can also receive training in how to use digital video equipment through college courses and receive degrees and certificates in video production.

Guide to Video Production Equipment

How to choose the best video production equipment for your business

By T.S. Johnson, Sweet Potato Pie

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase a computer best suited for digital media applications

When it comes to digital video equipment, all computers are not created equal. When searching for a computer that will be responsible for storing all of your media files and acting as your editing bay, you want one that is specifically designed for video production and has sufficient storage, memory and won't crash on you every time you sit down to edit or open any of your other media applications.

I recommend: The Macbook Pro from Apple is arguably the best computer on the market for digital media production. It is a production powerhouse that comes with all of the software you could need to create films, TV shows, video podcasts and any other type of media you can think of. It also includes a built-in video camera.

Decide what kind of editing software you need

The type of videos you plan on shooting determines the type of editing software you need. If you just want to produce in-house training videos, then any of the popular home editing software will work. If you want to produce professional quality videos for release, then you must invest in the top of the line video editing equipment to get the job done.

I recommend: Final Cut Studio by Apple is a set of bundled software that includes the award-winning Final Cut Pro and gives you everything you need for post-production.

Choose a camera that shoots for web, film and TV

The digital video camera you choose determines the quality of the footage you shoot. The quality of the footage you shoot determines how well your final project turns out. No amount of editing can save shoddily shot video.

I recommend: The Panasonic AG-DVX100A is the best consumer digital video camera on the market. It offers features that you can only find on professional video equipment that costs eight times what the DVX100A costs.

Go to companies that specialize in video production supplies

Professional video equipment outside of the camera and software mainstays include lighting, audio equipment for sound, tripods, cranes and dollies.

I recommend: The Production Hub is a great resource for new and used broadcast video equipment; here, you can search by what type of equipment you need, by state and whether you are looking for new or used equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become an expert in video production equipment with a degree

Earning a degree from an accredited college is the best way to learn all aspects of television or film production. At a University, you will have access to the most cutting-edge technologies and experience hands-on learning on video production carts.

I recommend: Earn an Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts from Collins College and be qualified for entry-level positions in the video production industry. Study video production and learn about TV production equipment at The Art Institutes International, which has nationwide campuses and flexible class schedules.

Find training classes or seminars on digital video equipment

Attending single classes or seminars to learn video production equipment is an adequate way to train for specific areas of film making, such as videos for businesses, shooting wedding videos or stage productions.

I recommend: ProVideo Training offers programs for specific areas of video making, with classes and at-home study materials, and the cost is much cheaper than college tuition. Look at the schedule of upcoming 2-day courses on video production provided by GeniusDV.

Buy training materials for video production supplies

Buying training materials to learn about professional video equipment on your own is probably a good starting place, or if you are an experienced camera operator and simply need to get used to a new style or model, it is probably feasible to simply use training materials such as instructional DVDs or handbooks to learn about the new equipment.

I recommend: Try the instructional DVD, How To Shoot Like a Pro With the Sony HC1 for Sony camcorders, at SJ Media Systems. Use the Digital Filmmaking Handbook, which can be purchased at Barnesandnoble.com, for all aspects of video production.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If buying used video production equipment, make sure that training can still be found for that specific technology.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

AVI

This term is an abbreviation for Audio Video Interleaved. One uses video production equipment to film in this specific file format for Windows applications. It weaves corresponding audio data with images from the video data resulting in synchronous audio and video data.

I recommend: John McGowan offers a definition of AVI.

Decibel

A decibel (dB) is a measuring unit for sound systems that describes power ratios. It is 1/10 of the mathematical term Bell, and due to human ear sensitivity, decibel values refer to calculations 10 times the logarithmic values of acoustically or electronically measured power ratios in a sound system.

I recommend: WiseGEEK offers a detailed explanation of a decibel and its measurement. It displays a chart defining decibel levels compared to sound sources.

Sound Pressure Level

Sound Pressure Level, also referred to as SPL, is a certain level measured by unit area for a specific location near a sound source.

I recommend: National Instruments offers a detailed tutorial on sound pressure levels and demonstrates ways professionals use this measurement when working with a microphone.

DB SPL

This term refers to the value of sound power or sound pressure levels. It is the decibel reference detailing the level of sound pressure against the unit area in a specified location in relation to the sound source.

I recommend: Trace R&D Center offers information on dBspl, demonstrating how one uses this measurement in daily life. It offers a chart so you can measure sounds when working with recording equipment.

Gaffer

A gaffer is a person in charge of working the video production equipment including lighting and cameras. The gaffer is generally an electrician.

I recommend: Wordorigins.org offers a look at the history of the term gaffer. It shows how Hollywood uses gaffers in its recordings and explains terms related to a gaffer.

Tripod

A tripod is a three legged stand, generally adjustable, that supports and moves cameras and other video production equipment.

I recommend: The Digital Photography School website offers tips to photographers on using recording equipment with a tripod. It also offers images of a tripod.