Doing some online teaching vids. Recommend a video camera!

Hi. I'm in the beginning stages of taking some of my test prep classes to the internet.

I've got a small room in my place that I'm setting up as a studio, and the idea is to upload videos to a YouTube channel, my website, and if things go well maybe look into a paid subscription service or DVDs down the road.

I'm very happy to have come across Mark's videos, and this production value is exactly what I'm aiming at. But to achieve that kind of picture quality, what camera do I need?

For my videos, all shooting will be indoors with limited movement. Most will involve shots of a teacher writing on a green marker board. In a camera I don't need amazing zoom functions or any other bells and whistles. I do need a picture that looks moderately professional, perhaps something I can burn to a DVD and sell later on. At the same time, I don't want too large of a picture file as I still need it to fit on YouTube.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

If I were you I'd go for a consumer HDV camcorder.

Very nice picture quality, but no real external controlls (where you asked for).

Also handy if you're on a budget.


-Boyan