You have the message. Now you need the medium. And if your medium includes creating a video blog or audio podcast, consider these handy gadgets for getting the job done right!
Top 10 Picks for Video and Audio Blogging Tools
#1: Kodak Zi8 – Think of it as FlipVideo only better! Lightweight and compact, the Kodak Zi8 has added features that make it a better choice for video blogging like the external audio mic input and multiple aspect ratios for HD.
#2: ScreenFlow – A simple and easy to use desktop recording tool for the Mac. ScreenFlow includes basic editing capabilities and allows you to choose both your video and audio inputs.
#3: Camtasia Studio – Record, edit and distribute screencasts on Mac or PC with this all-in-one tool. Enhanced recording options include picture in picture and full screen or window or region modes.
#4: Blue Snowball USB Microphone – Turn your office into a recording studio with the help of the Blue Snowball USB Microphone. It plugs directly into a USB port and is able to create a clean recording of the softest vocals to the loudest garage band!
#5: JOBY Gorillapod – Perfect for attaching your video camera to practically any surface. Looks weird – yes! Works wonders in odd places – double yes! Now available with magnetic feet!
#6: Livestream – A quick and easy tool for adding streaming online video broadcasts to your web site. Plug and play features include broadcast quality graphics, custom video player, and built-in real-time production tools.
#7: TubeMogul – Get your message out – everywhere – with TubeMogul! A video distribution tool – it allows you to distribute to multiple video sites with one upload!
#8: CamTwist – Add special effects, like picture in picture or the ‘Cartoon’ effect, to screencasts, webinars or interactive chats with CamTwist. It’s capable of streaming your desktop and static images. The best part is it’s free!
#9: SumacLife Case – If you are planning on carrying your camera or video camera in your purse, brief case or floating around in your diaper bag amongst the toys, get a hard shell carrying case.
#10: SlideShare – Upload and share presentations, documents and videos to your blog or social media accounts. SlideShare offers both free and premium accounts.
Today’s MOMeo Picks list was compiled with the help of MOMeo Video Expert, Elizabeth Potts Weinstein. Watch her free recorded class on “How to Get Over Yourself on Video” or buy her 4 Part Video Quickstart Tutorial that teaches you what you need to know to shoot, edit and post your first video to YouTube.
3 Comments
I love my Flip though I’ve never used it for actually recording something to later put on my website. All the video posts I do for “how to’s” I have always used Camtasia Studios free version, which I love. CamTwist sounds totally fun (and since I don’t know when I’ll do video next I better make sure to bookmark this page).
I secretly love my Flip too, but when Elizabeth shared the features of the Kodak Zi8, I was sold!
Yes, the Zi8, and it’s external mic jack, are great! The quality is outstanding as it records in HD. My challenge with it was that it didn’t come with a remote, meaning you end up recording yourself walking in and out of the shot, then having to edit that out. However, they’ve finally started making them again, so I just ordered one. Now if it only came with a viewfinder you could flip around to the front so you could position yourself without having to test it a few times first. Gideon just recorded a homemade fix for that though. 🙂