I am looking to get into basic video production. Could use some suggestions

I hope I'm in the right place, I am looking to get into shooting some HD video and than editing it in video editing software. I'm not looking for anything high end, hopefully something in the $300 range.

I am not very knowledgeable on the topic and need to get some advice. Is anyone here familair with videogame reviews, gear reviews and so on that you see on the web? I would like to basically do some basic video for similar type of things and than upload it to a website for viewing.

How do sites like joystiq and giantbomb shoot their video, what are the tools they use?

I was looking at something like this. http://www.bestbuy.ca …a3678e00dbea7d7​bbb13een02

Camera: Your basic p&s camera will make perfectly fine 720HD video in good light; or 1080 if they are capable. This includes the super zoom p&s, Flips, and Zi's. Super zooms are fine as well if you need or want the reach. I have an SX20 and the 720 video from that is perfectly fine in good light and fine in room light. For shooting product reviews and such for Youtube or the like, a p&s is perfectly fine. I would stress that you get something with a variable or swivel screen. Framing yourself or doing any angles is a PIA w/out it! You can live without it, but if you're shooting yourself, save yourself the cursing and constant retakes because you're head was cut off.
Editing: You can go with the free basic editors like movie maker for windows (which I didn't really like) but the consumer versions of editors such as Vegas Platinum or Adobe Premiere are going to be good enough for you to not outgrow anytime soon. For anything less than $100, Vegas Platinum is a complete STEAL for the power it packs (I haven't used Premiere but it is supposed to be good as well). Its easily worth $150 so getting it for less, even better. Prepare for the learning curve involved, but once you get even a moderate grasp on it, it will become exponentially easier to use each time.
Sound: The internal stereo microphones on p&s will be fine for you to start with, and will give you good enough sound for sure.
I'm keeping in mind that you're starting out and trying to work with a modest budget so I can tell you, don't think you need to invest massive amounts to start out. I still use my SX20 for video and have no problem pulling it out and rolling. Enjoy learning and practicing most of all!

Thanks for the reply, so I guess I can do decent video with the camera I'm looking at than. And yeah, I am looking for something really introductory, nothing crazy but something that can deliver quality hd video.

What about someone looking to maybe venture into photography, would you say this is a decent camera for someone just looking to get into it and get a taste for it?

I 'm still a little unsure on how the actual production of some video reviews are done. How do sites get direct feed video where the feed is focused on the content of the video and nothing else?

Take this video for example. http://www.giantbomb.c​om …l-2-video-review/17-4033/ A video review for game Portal 2. How do you get good quality video like that? I understand a lot of it is video editing, is that also the case for getting direct feed video, or is other equipment needed other than a camera and video editing software?

for recording gameplay your gonna need a capture card.

and for a camera, I think you should get a camcorder dedicated mainly for video.

The Kodak Zi8
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Pocket_Video_C​amera.html

That will def save you money and serve you better. For reviews, sound is important so the viewers can hear. The Zi8 lets you plug in an external mic. So instead of $300 on a point and shoot camera, spend it on the Zi8 pocket camcorder and an mic.

super nova wrote in post #12330998
That will def save you money and serve you better. For reviews, sound is important so the viewers can hear. The Zi8 lets you plug in an external mic. So instead of $300 on a point and shoot camera, spend it on the Zi8 pocket camcorder and an mic.

The Zi8 has very good IQ, both in reviews and video footage. Supernova makes a great suggestion for what seems to be your interest in video primarily. The Zoom H1 is very handy and simple to operate (although I hate the plastic thread mount). But Tascam is also an inexpensive option that will give you increased sound quality. Heck, Zoom makes a handy video recorder like the Zi8 with their mic already on it.

Thanks for the suggestions. The Zi8 looks pretty good. I might go with that.

I realize this isn't directly on topic to the forum, but regarding a capture card, does anyone know the best way to do this if I have a laptop? I don't really want to open up my laptop if that's even what I would do.

You can try this program to record gameplay:

http://www.fraps.com/

I haven't tried it but I remember reading about it on some gaming websites.

jesb wrote in post #12335335
Thanks for the suggestions. The Zi8 looks pretty good. I might go with that.

I realize this isn't directly on topic to the forum, but regarding a capture card, does anyone know the best way to do this if I have a laptop? I don't really want to open up my laptop if that's even what I would do.

Wouldn't work that way on a laptop - it would be firewire, expresscard, etc. These are also quite a bit more limited than what you'd get in a card going into a desktop. That said...

If you go with something thats saving direct to its on disk, be it flash, built in hdd, whatever, you don't need a capture card - its just a file, same as with a dslr.

jesb wrote in post #12335335
I realize this isn't directly on topic to the forum, but regarding a capture card, does anyone know the best way to do this if I have a laptop? I don't really want to open up my laptop if that's even what I would do.

There are two ways to do that, one is to use an external video/audio capture device either analog or HDMI depending the outputs available on the gaming console such as those offfered by Pinnacle and others which depending on the device you selected would connect to the laptops USB or Firewire port (Firewire would be the preferred method) or utilize a PCMCIA TV tuner card that has an analog audio/video input.

You would then connect the analog outputs (audio/video) or HDMI port of the game console to the capture device and that device would allow you to ingest the audio/video of the console into your editing app.

Wayne