Broadcast quality video camera

[MissMoneyPenny]

Hi Guys,

Just after some advice here, any help is much appreciated.

I am looking to buy a camera capable of producing broadcast quality video for streaming educational videos over the web. My budget is £2000 - £5000.

I was wondering IF I can actually get a broadcast quality camera for my budget and if so which are the ones to consider?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

[hufartd]

I think joe fernand moves in these circles.
try him at TMF
you'll get an email at http://www.tmfsolutions.co.uk/

[MissMoneyPenny]

Thanks for that. I will invesitgate TMF- would you believe Romanno Bridge is only a few minutes away from my house!

Small World.

I should point out that the educational content will come from the company I work for. It's basically a broadcast quality camera that we need to spec before we buy.

I presume we can get a fairly decent camera for £2000-£5000?

[AndrewB]

Not wanting to stop you from spending the money - but if the only use for the camera is going to be producing compressed video which is suitable for streaming over the internet, then you are probably wasting your money by getting a "broadcast quality" camera. That's like spending £8k on a fancy digital SLR only to use it for producing 100k JPEG files for putting on web sites...

Happy to be corrected - just my opinion.

Andrew

I would agree, buy a camera with a mic input and manual focus manual exposure, then do a course in camera technique, a hi8 can outperform a digibeta in the right hands.

[AndrewB]

Originally Posted by Roy Mallard

I would agree, buy a camera with a mic input and manual focus manual exposure, then do a course in camera technique, a hi8 can outperform a digibeta in the right hands.

Also buy a high quality video tripod...

Andrew

[MissMoneyPenny]

Thanks guys.

We would be employing someone to actually film and edit the content.

I should have mentioned that this camera will not only be used for streaming content but willl be used to shoot footage to be included in cd-rom/dvd based educational software which needs to be broadcast quality. Obviously we'll have to compress the video and audio a fair bit (in FC Pro) to stream it. Sorry guys, was so caught up in the excitement of buying a shiny new camera that I left out the vital information!

I take it broadcast quality cameras can't be bought from your local currys, it's got to be a specialised store? I've had a look through online reviews which seem to only include your average family owned cameras.

Tripod has been added to the shopping list aswell

Thanks again guys, your advice is invaluable.

[redsox_mark]

I’m not sure of the definition of “broadcast quality”. Cameras the likes of the BBC use for most of their broadcast are in 10s of thousands of pounds, though you can get ones in your price range which are also used for broadcast. Your general camcorder at Curry’s isn’t. I think you are looking for a “professional” rather than a “consumer” camera.

I’m not an expert on that end of the market, but I suggest looking at the Sony Z1. This is used for broadcast, in fact I see the BBC has a training course on it

http://www.bbctraining.com/courseDet...=6117&cat=2781

This is a High Definition camcorder, though you can also shoot in SD mode as well.

Here is a link to one supplier
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/gimme...m=sony_hvr-z1e

Mark

[MissMoneyPenny]

Thanks Mark,

At the moment we use a Sony MX 500, which is 3 years old now. I didn't expect to be able to get a HD video camera for under £5000 to be honest but the Sony Z1 was a very pleasant surprise, especially with the BBC running a course on it.

I have sent a copy of the spec to the director of the company, who also thanks you for your help. The Z1 looks like it could be the one.

Thanks again.

[redsox_mark]

You are welcome!

Manuals etc can be found on the Sony business site
http://www.sonybiz.net

Mark

not being funny, but i fyou are going to hire somebody in then you should reasonably expect them to have their own camera that they are conforatable with, this saves you a capital expense and it means that you don't have the responsibility of an expensive asset that can be dropped stolen malfunction blah blah blah. If you are going to hire in the the labour anyway I would hire the camera, it means you always have the latest bestest gear, accountants also seem to prefer current budgets than capital budgets.

Boradcast quality is also a very ambiguous term, most reality and lifestyle tv you see is shot on z1's or PD150's. 'Broadcast quality' is more about technique than the camera.

[Mr Cheese]

Originally Posted by Roy Mallard

Boradcast quality is also a very ambiguous term, most reality and lifestyle tv you see is shot on z1's or PD150's. 'Broadcast quality' is more about technique than the camera.

Too true

Budget for lighting and decent audio equipment, personal mics etc.