The Hardware

If you are going to use iMovie and iDVD, you need a camcorder and a host of accessories—as I found out.

If you don’t have a camcorder and are considering buying one, there is a long list of factors and features for you to consider. You may find it helpful to understand the choices I made. Your hardware decisions may differ from mine, but you will have to address the same general concerns.  

Checklist

After researching a number of consumer MiniDV camcorders, I decided on a Canon Optura 50 MiniDV (recently discontinued), which had garnered good reviews on many websites. I chose this compact FireWire camcorder for these reasons:

• Price ($399.95 from B & H Photo),
• IEEE 1394 compliant. (iMovie requires that your camcorder connect via a FireWire port using a 4 to 6 pin connector, which you buy separately),
• Widescreen (16:9),
• Recording option mode, optical (not the less effective electronic),
• image stabilization, which helps compensate for subtle movement in handheld shooting—a feature found on pricier cameras,
• Manual override of the camera’s auto settings, such as shutter speed, and
• Manual adjustment of audio levels for the internal or an external microphone.

Canon Optura 50 The Canon Optura 50 had (now discontinued) the features I needed and at a price ($399.95) that made it a great value, too. The new generation of MiniDV camcorders is incredibly compact—if the last camcorder you looked at was VHS, you will be amazed.

You can, of course, spend thousands of dollars for a proconsumer HD camcorder, which would be necessary if you were shooting an Indie film. [Ed.Note: See UG’s article on this subject.]  For my project, in which I wanted to capture the artist working and talking about his art in his studio—documentary style—the video quality of the Canon Optura 50 was more than adequate, since the final output size would be viewed within the small confines of a television, not the Big Screen.

Your camcorder is only part of the expenses you will have to consider in your budget.

Note: As mentioned earlier, iMovie is able to work with footage shot inthe MiniDV format directly to a DVD. Another Mac-compatible format is HDV, which records high-definition video on MiniDV tape, and, although you can import and edit HDV in iMovie, burning “true” high-definition video to DVD is not currently supported with a Mac. 

Are We On?

If you are taping in a quiet place (lecture, play, interview, etc.) or need to do a narration or voiceover, for example, be aware that the camcorder’s internal microphone will pick up ambient sound from all directions, including camcorder motor hum. Although iMovie has a Noise Reduction filter, it’s best to avoid unwanted noise of any type altogether while recording with an external microphone. For flexibility, a shotgun type with a suspension mount is a must-have accessory. Shotgun type microphones do a good job of capturing sound directly in front of it and ignoring sounds from other directions. No matter how great your video footage, if the sound quality is poor, you’ve lost your audience.

Although the built-in microphone of the Canon Optura 50 camcorder is handy, sensitive, and acceptable for home movies, it is not ideal for recording sound on a professional level, which was my goal. After much research, I decided that the Rode VideoMic was a sound investment. This lightweight shotgun style battery-powered unit had all the features I needed, at a reasonable price ($149.95). I could use the VideoMic outdoors (which it is primarily designed for), and even indoors, where it also worked well; and, for the same nickel, it would do double duty for recording voiceovers or narration.

 

The Rode VideoMic is beautifully engineered. It includes a suspension mount that prevents the microphone itself from touching the camcorder, keepingpotential motor and noise vibration to a minimum. It also features Power On and Replace Battery (100 hours 9V battery life) indicator lights, a High Pass Filter setting for removing rumble and other low frequency noises while recording, plus threaded fittings for attaching the microphone to a stand or tripod—a feature I needed for my narration sequences.

Minijack Mayhem

The VideoMic cord is long enough to plug into the camcorder via a 1/8-inch stereo minijack (3.5mm) audio lead. But that’s about it. To use the VideoMic for narration work, I would have to plug the cord into the minijack line in the back of my G5. I asked a salesman if I would be able to record narration using a Rode 10-foot extension cable plugged directly into the minijack on my computer. “No problem,” he said. 

After plugging the audio extension cable into my computer, I connected my VideoMic to a tripod and set it up so that I was speaking directly into the microphone, a few inches away from my mouth. When I tried recording narration with this minijack system, the audio input level in iMovie was far too low to record. This type of configuration, I later learned, requires an external power supply for proper audio recording. While there are external amp devices you can buy for the minijack system to work, I decided on another less expensive route, without compromising sound quality. I needed a way to plug the VideoMic’s minijack into one of my computer’s USB ports, which draws power directly from the computer. 

iMic from Griffin Technology allows you to connect virtually any microphone or sound input device to your iBook, PowerBook, PowerMac or other Mac or PC systems with a USB port. iMic supports both mic and line level inputs via a selectable switch, as well as a variable- level output for connecting speakers or headphones.

I plugged the Rode extension cable into the iMic and the iMic into one of the USB ports on the front of my G5. After verifying that the input volume was sufficiently strong in System Preferences > Sound > Input Levels, I once again clicked the Record Voice button in iMovie. With the iMic unit drawing power from the USB port, the iMovie’s Microphone record level indicator immediately jumped way into the green (meaning ”strong signal”). This time my narration was clear with a good solid tone.

Steady, Now

Although it is sometimes artistically valid to shoot video while holding the camcorder in your hand, most handheld video footage looks amateurish. Jerky camera movement is disorientating and will make your audience dizzy. A steady camera is usually preferable, making a tripod a necessity.

These compact, sturdy, lightweight Manfrotto tripods are great value at a reasonable price. The heads worked smoothly—very important for slow steady pans—on all three separate axes of movement: pan, front tilt, side tilt. It’s worth repeating: good work here requires slow smooth pans. Zooms should be used sparingly, and slow and smooth at that.

Note: if you have an older tripod hanging around (as I did) that you plan on using with your MiniDV camcorder, make sure that the length of the tripod’s fastening screw (the screw that secures the tripod plate to the camcorder) conforms to the specs of your camcorder. If it is too long, it will damage the camera; the Canon Optura 50, for example, requires a fastening screw no longer than 0.2 inches (5.5 mm). Also, newer models like the Manfrotto tripods feature anti-rotation fittings on the release plate, ensuring that your camcorder locks down and stays put. 

Manfrotto Tripods

I’ve used both of these tripods and either one will serve you well. If you’re working with a lightweight MiniDV camcorder, you might choose the Manfrotto 785B, which features a handy video lock switch, for outdoor taping; I keep the slightly heavier Manfrotto 728B reserved for indoor video sessions.

Manfrotto 728B ($118.95): The 728B (supports 7.7 lb or 3.5 kg) has a built-in smooth-moving 3-way head in cast aluminum suitable for small camcorders as well as cameras. The head has separate pan and tilt locks, a quick-release camera plate and a short pan/tilt bar (ergonomically suited for panning or tracking moving subjects.) The leg pivot system uses a unique single hinge design in aluminum that both keeps the cross section small and allows the leg to fold shorter than conventional tripods. The D-profile tubular legs provide extra torsional rigidity and quick-flip leg locks. A quick action lever also locks the reversible center column extension. This tripod comes complete with a carrying bag with twin shoulder straps for backpack style carrying.

Manfrotto 785B ($78.95): this tripod(supports 2.2 lb or 1k. It features a hybrid joystick head shape (see detail right) for a comfortable, natural grip to easily position your camcorder or camera; a handy built-in level bubble, and a photo/video selector button—when shooting stills, choose the digital camera symbol and enjoy the freedom to move the head on any axis. For video turn the dial to the video symbol, and use the grip bar as a handle for tilt and pan movements—in video mode, the side to side (horizontal) motion is locked to keep your camcorder image level.

One-Stick Pony

At times when setting up a tripod is impractical, especially in crowded situations where quick set up and breakdown is essential, a monopod is a great alternative: lightweight, portable and quicker to set up than a tripod. With practice, they’ll keep your camcorder steady—which is what you want in the first place.

No, it’s not a pogo stick. The Bogen NG Tundra Monopod ($44.95) provides support when you can’t use a tripod. Attach your camcorder directly to the top QR (quick release) platform and begin shooting. To make the monopod more compact, the ball head can be removed. This also allows you to attach the camera directly to the monopod. Extended view (left); monopod closed, with head removed (right). I carry mine around like a small baton on the included strap (not shown).

Using a monopod takes some knowhow. You do not, for example, hold the monopod perpendicular to the ground, which beginners tend to do. One approach is to hold the monopod with the bottom leg angled away from your body—which in essence forms a tripod arrangement that includes both of your feet. For some useful tips how to use and hold a monopod, check this link.

IN THE BAG

Don’t forget a good quality camera bag to protect your investment. After researching many camera bags, I found the Mini Camcorder Convertible model 974 from Tamrac had the best combination of features, quality, and value (under $70).

Shown here are my camcorder and only a few accessories (I have others) that need a protective carrier.

Tamrac model 974: As you can see, my accessories fit neatly into their respective compartments. The camcorder rests in the center under the shotgun microphone. This bag includes convenient ZipDrop pockets that hold an amazing amount of stuff.

The Mini Camcorder Convertible model 974 from Tamrac zips up neat and tight and my equipment doesn’t jostle about. This bag has the Tuck-A-Way Hip Belt (not shown) that converts the bag to a hip pack for hands-free carrying convenience; a shoulder strap is also included.

Additional Camcorder Accessories

There are a few more indispensable items for your checklist and checkbook. You’ll need:

• at least one additional rechargeable battery for your camcorder. Battery packs are available that offer more life (often double the recording time) than the one shipped with your camcorder,
• an AC/DC charger,
• a UV filter (doubles as inexpensive insurance to protect the camcorder lens),
• a supply of DV tapes. Many users claim that it’s important to stick with one brand of DV tape or another; alternating between brands tends to gum up the camcorder video head,
• and finally, a video head cleaner.

End Credits: Follow the Money

The modern Mac is truly a multimedia machine. Documenting your experiences and editing your video is one of today’s perks in video storytelling. And what makes this possible? Let’s put a name on it: Digital Publishing. And, yes, it’s also all about the money.

With a FireWire-based MiniDV camcorder—models ranging from $300 and up (don’t forget the cost of accessories), most of us can afford to call our own shots with lights, camera, and action. 

And, for the price ($79) of Apple’s iLife suite of multimedia apps, Mac users now have access to iDVD and iMovie. Sophisticated DVD and Video editing production software that once cost hundreds of thousands of dollars is now affordable for the general population.

Caveat: If you purchase a third-party battery (a common practice among camcorder owners), do not send in your camera for service under warranty with that battery attached because the camcorder manufacturer will most likely void your warranty.

Now get that shot!

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Metropolitan New York Macintosh Alliance