What type of Camera to you Recommend for Mogulus

[CreatingAbundancePromotingYou]

I would like to start with the best results for broadcasting and would like to know web cam, internet web cam, video cam or digital cam works best. With Broadcasting going digital Feb 2009 do you need a digital video camera or digital web cam for broadcasting.

I've been researching products and wanted to know if this product Linksys WVC54GCA is a good option.

I'm open for suggestions.

Thank you, Tammy Dantzler

[arikandvered]

I wouldn't bother with linksys. Support is terrible and you don't have audio.

[xpeditions]

We've tried several kinds of camera's since first using Mogulus. Because we produce our own adventure/ doc video's we have some really great equipment. The two types of camera's we commonly use are a Sony V1U and a Sony A1u. Both of these are HD 1080i camera's. The A1U being the smallest and easiest to use as we climb mountains or trekking in the Amazon. Our V1U is best as a studio or location cam because it is a bit larger and weights more.

Our concept in using this type of equipment is simply that if you start with high quality you end up with a great image. Our proof of this is easily seen at our main site XpeditionsTV.com. If you take a look at the Markawasi video you might notice it is not as sharp as the Mist video. The Markawasi video was shot with a Sony Vx2100. This is a great 3 chip camera - a tank that takes a beating and never stops. However, it is half the resolution of the V1U or the A1U.

If you're wanting the best results I suggest you use a camera with more than you think you'll need. The results will make you proud of the work you are doing.

There are a few settings you'll need to know about when "sending" your video to Mogulus. Because the camera's we use are 16:9 we have to select an output that accommodates the 4:3 screen ratio. It's no biggie really.

I'll be happy to see the Pro version of Mogulus. It promises 16:9 and quite a few other features.

I hope this helps you with your question. Please ask if you need more info.

Best Wishes
Jerry Wills
executive director
Xpeditions TV
(on Mogulus you'll find us at channel_u or online live at Channel-U.com)

[MStepelton]

Originally Posted by CreatingAbundancePromotingYou

I would like to start with the best results for broadcasting and would like to know web cam, internet web cam, video cam or digital cam works best. With Broadcasting going digital Feb 2009 do you need a digital video camera or digital web cam for broadcasting.

I've been researching products and wanted to know if this product Linksys WVC54GCA is a good option.

I'm open for suggestions.

Thank you, Tammy Dantzler

And for the rest of us that don't have $1000+ for 3 CCD cams. Any Digital camcorder with a firewire ( iLink ) connection does a great job. Also useing Flash Media Encoder also will improve the image quality and framerate.

[WiFiTech]

Regarding your quest for the best camera. The answer will always be "get the best you can afford that does what you want". I know that doesn't help much but here are just a few things to think about.
Will you be using it on the move or stationary. (Handheld,tripod or attached to PC)
Will your target be moving or stationary. (football player on the field, person at a desk)
Will you be in real time or save file/edit/upload
These questions then dictate what you need:
Stationary: Pan/Tilt/Zoom features, Live feed or FTP to directory
Mobile handheld: Steady shot, Zoom, Focus, Lighting and media storage.
I would assume that since you are looking at using Mogulus that you already have some type of video capture device. Try the ones you and your friends already have and then purchase based on thier strengths and weaknesses.
Just a thought, I have the WVC200 by Linksys, and so far they are not what I want, they are way to limiting.
Just about anything you use will need to be connected to an internet connection if you want any realtime video. If real time is not your need then focus on a camera that can shoot what your target is, provide enough storage and battery power to eliminate extra work. Believe it or not most handheld cameras can do motion for a short period and do live if connected to a computer. I actually have an HTC smartphone that should allow me to stream live into Mogulus. Don't forget the more pixels the better the quality. You can always reduce quality for quickness but you can never add more than the max, without buying another device.
So start with your Budget, your primary use, and go from there.
Kevin

[fulcrum9]

For USB cam users (the dumb way):
Really any USB cam is the same as any other so long as they have good AGP connectivity. There is a Logitech setup that has facial recognition and tracking capability and a full headset/mic with the camera and software (got it on sale at office depot last week for only $25.00 ON SALE) and that is kind of cool but at the end of the day it was still a USB cam. It is my emergency backup.
Not even adobe flash media encoder can church up the image from USB cams enough to be acceptable for anything more than another mediocre video blogging cam.
If it connects to your computer through a USB port, it should be a keyboard, mouse, Ipod, coffee warmer, laptop lamp, lap cooler or jump drive. Anything else is just a waste of time.

For FW capable users (the smart way):
If you want something new but on a budget I suggest the JVC GR-DA30U. It is JVC’s premier miniDV consumer model this year and it addresses all those pesky issues of the older models like the condensation detector and the processor break downs. It is only $200.00, delivers the best quality for a non-3ccd and runs very well with simple controls. It also has a rear rocker LCD instead of a view finder (requires an LCD slip cover after purchase). It’s AGP connectivity can not be bead and it’s delivery through the mogulus widget is the best quality picture and sound I’ve seen from any FW capable consumer model yet.
Be sure you have a 1394 port.

For a 3ccd consumer model always go with canon BUT make sure you get a camera with the fire wire port.

For a professional model that delivers the kind of picture you see on mogulus shows like “livestock”, you need a big 3ccd canon like the GL or XL series cameras.
There are a few sellers on ebay who have GL1 and 2 models going under $800.00.
If you can find an XL1 or 2 available for anything under $1200.00 get it.
Panasonic also has a series of 3ccd pro models but the model series name escapes me.
I did get a chance to use one of those Panasonics last year and was not impressed at all. Their audio systems are terrible.

[davidaron]

Thanks for the advice, fulcrum. I'm in the market for a new cam, and will surely check these options out.

[nwmogul]

In this thread the GL1 was recommended as a realtime streaming solution.
I have one, but I have not been able to get it to work with either Mogulus, or the Adobe Media Encoder. Has anyone actually used it, or was that a general suggestion?

I have 2 scenarios.
1. My partner has a sony vaio laptop running Windows Vista (I think it's the business version). We'd like to be able to connect the GL1 to the computer via firewire, into Adobe Media Encoder, then into Mogulus. Right now, the camera isn't recognized by AME, so I can't even get the image in.

2. I use a macbook running leopard. Is it possible to use the GL1 to stream directly into Mogulus for realtime broadcast? I've tried unsuccessfully, and have searched online for answers.

If not the GL1, then has anyone had success with the XL1? I can borrow one for special occasions, but I can't get it here just for testing. In the past, we've had success using the XL1 with Windows Media Encoder on the same sony Vaio, though when we tried to duplicate that success with the GL1, we had no joy.

Thank you to anyone who can help in these matters. If I figure it out I will post as well.

best.

[ellisradio]

I have an XL1 and an XL2 at work; I have been able to use the XL2, have never tried the XL1. The problem I will let you know about the XL1 is the Power Save function on it. Unless you are recording, it will Auto Power Off after a period of time. I have never been able to locate any way of disabling it on the XL1. On the XL2, you can modify it in the VCR Setting (think the Auto Power options are Shut Off or Stop VCR) and prevent the camera from shutting off, even if you aren't recording.

I'll test out the XL1 on Monday and let you know how it worked out.

[fellowshipofsd]

So, I'm seeing some responses, but want to ask something with a little clarification. I have a Sony HD camcorder that we use for creating a video to load on the net (we are in the process to switch from Vimeo to Mogulus), but it cannot be used for live streaming.

What is the best quality (HD?) cam that can be used for live streaming? We currently use a Logitech webcam that outputs 960x720, which isn't bad but I'd like to do better.

Thanks for any help!