Recommendation for Videocamera for Taping Games?

[soccerdad1214]

Anybody have a recommendation for a decent camera to video games and upload to Youtube? I am using an old camera with Mini DV tapes and even though it looks ok on the camera screen and even when loaded onto the Mac, when i upload to Youtube using Mac's iMovie software everything turns out fuzzy. Clearly i need to go digital....any recs?

Thanks for any help

[Unregistered]

I don't have my camera with me but I went into shutterbug in downtown (broadway) and told them exactly what I wanted to do and they steered me to a great camera. Super sharp, uploads to computer or directly to YouTube easily. One button copy of the whole thing or sections to a DVD. Really worked great. Great advice highly recommend that shop. I think it cost me around $300.

Also got a portable tripod and a footstool to get a few feet off the ground for a superior viewing angle.

I only filmed one game but it turned out great.

[soccerdad1214]

I don't have my camera with me but I went into shutterbug in downtown (broadway) and told them exactly what I wanted to do and they steered me to a great camera. Super sharp, uploads to computer or directly to YouTube easily. One button copy of the whole thing or sections to a DVD. Really worked great. Great advice highly recommend that shop. I think it cost me around $300.

Also got a portable tripod and a footstool to get a few feet off the ground for a superior viewing angle.

I only filmed one game but it turned out great.

Thanks, that is helpful to know the price range. If you get a chance to leave a message with the make and model that would be really helpful, especially since you have uploaded to YouTube and like the result. It will probably be a few weeks before i buy. Have a great day.

[Unregistered]

Does anyone know of a company that will video tape games? In pdx metro area?

[Unregistered]

Does anyone know of a company that will video tape games? In pdx metro area?

Try Nick Heffernan, Student Athelete World Oregon

saw.oregon@gmail.com

He spoke to our teams at a meeting and explained how to videotape yourself or else he can do it for you based on your needs and budget.

[Unregistered]

My daughter wears a gopro on her head, works great!

[soccerdad1214]

My daughter wears a gopro on her head, works great!

Especially good for headers

[SodiumFan]

I used a Canon EOS Rebel on video mode. With my old tripod i could sit in the stands, zoom in, start/stop. DD loaded the footage to her MAC, spliced, used a pointer, added stop frames, music and statistics and it turned out great. I guess you could hire someone but for us it was a great father/daughter project that even helped get us closer. My $.02.

Here's to a fun (and safe) HS season.

[Unregistered]

I used a Canon EOS Rebel on video mode. With my old tripod i could sit in the stands, zoom in, start/stop. DD loaded the footage to her MAC, spliced, used a pointer, added stop frames, music and statistics and it turned out great. I guess you could hire someone but for us it was a great father/daughter project that even helped get us closer. My $.02.

Here's to a fun (and safe) HS season.

My dad taped my HS football games (25 yrs ago) while also recording onto a cassette the radio coverage. Really fun to watch later. Especially syncing them together. Wish I had a VHS player so I could show my daughter what a cool guy her dad 'used' to be.

[Unregistered]

I used a Canon EOS Rebel on video mode. With my old tripod i could sit in the stands, zoom in, start/stop. DD loaded the footage to her MAC, spliced, used a pointer, added stop frames, music and statistics and it turned out great. I guess you could hire someone but for us it was a great father/daughter project that even helped get us closer. My $.02.

Here's to a fun (and safe) HS season.

Loved your post but always wonder about the parents that sit in the stands or along the fence and film. The other significant factor in a quality piece of film is the audio. Nothing worse than having to watch a video which includes wind noise or parents having gossip sessions or yelling. Everything comes across and should be edited out. Directional miss should be a consideration and sit away from the group.

If doing editing, cut the noise out. If adding graphic arrows, etc., make sure that it stays with the player! One dad does a great job of filming his daughter but it is painful to see the diamond shape (else insert other shape) stay in one place while his daughter's onscreen image has moved on. Take the time to edit appropriately.

[soccerdad1214]

I used a Canon EOS Rebel on video mode. With my old tripod i could sit in the stands, zoom in, start/stop. DD loaded the footage to her MAC, spliced, used a pointer, added stop frames, music and statistics and it turned out great. I guess you could hire someone but for us it was a great father/daughter project that even helped get us closer. My $.02.

Here's to a fun (and safe) HS season.

I have had my daughter help too, and it is fun. Of course, this only happened after I struggled through learning how to use iMovie on my own, later to learn that she had already been taught the software in school! After she fessed up knowing how to use the software (it was more fun to play Minecraft on my ipad while she cooled off after the game), I have co-opted her into helping and we have had fun working together. I try to find great plays by each player and highlight them, which seems to motivate them all to watch (and learn) before the next game.

[soccerdad1214]

Loved your post but always wonder about the parents that sit in the stands or along the fence and film. The other significant factor in a quality piece of film is the audio. Nothing worse than having to watch a video which includes wind noise or parents having gossip sessions or yelling. Everything comes across and should be edited out. Directional miss should be a consideration and sit away from the group.

If doing editing, cut the noise out. If adding graphic arrows, etc., make sure that it stays with the player! One dad does a great job of filming his daughter but it is painful to see the diamond shape (else insert other shape) stay in one place while his daughter's onscreen image has moved on. Take the time to edit appropriately.

I learned early on not to stand anywher near the other parents...although sometimes its tempting, so they can hear what the others (including their kids, most likely) hear. We are really fortunate to have a great coach that says almost never says anything negative, and he is okay w me filming near him as it allows the kids (just now u-11) a chance to see their play and hear his direction away from the game (if they choose to watch).

[Unregistered]

I learned early on not to stand anywher near the other parents...although sometimes its tempting, so they can hear what the others (including their kids, most likely) hear. We are really fortunate to have a great coach that says almost never says anything negative, and he is okay w me filming near him as it allows the kids (just now u-11) a chance to see their play and hear his direction away from the game (if they choose to watch).

Your taping games at U11?

[Unregistered]

Anybody have a recommendation for a decent camera to video games and upload to Youtube? I am using an old camera with Mini DV tapes and even though it looks ok on the camera screen and even when loaded onto the Mac, when i upload to Youtube using Mac's iMovie software everything turns out fuzzy. Clearly i need to go digital....any recs?

Thanks for any help

I use a Sony AVCHD camera with a wide angle lens which makes it nice to capture the entire field. There are many good brands, and no matter what you select, look for several key features;

1) A good zoom capacity. My Sony has a 42x zoom. Don't pay attention to the "digital zoom" because it really means nothing. You will appreciate a good zoom, especially at some venues where you cant be right on the field.

2) Have a good amount of memory. My Sony has a 160 GB of built in memory. A complete game filmed in HD will take between 6 to 7 GB of memory. You will appreciate the large amount especially if you are at a tournament with several games.

3) EXTRA BATTERY!! Cant stress it enough. filming in HD eats up a battery. Trust me on this one. You will HATE having to stop filming a game because your battery ran out.

4) A tripod or monopod is a must to eliminate the video shakes. Your viewers will love you for it. I prefer a monopod and have seen many a people use it. It is more flexible than a tripod, but gives you the steadiness you need.

5) The HD feature will provide stunning results, especially when viewed on todays HD tvs. I used to film with a regular digital camera and didn't know how the quality sucked until I upgraded to a HD camera.

6) My camera has the 5.1 microphone. Its great at picking up sound, although, this could be a double edge sword if you know what I mean....

[soccerdad1214]

Your taping games at U11?

Yes, thanks for your interest. Any suggestions on cameras are appreciated.