It’s true.  The availability of cheap cameras, editing software, and online video hosting services has set an extremely low barrier of entry to the world of digital video.  However, to a beginner, putting all the pieces together might be a little intimidating.  Not to fear!  Getting a video on the internet is only as complicated as you want to make it, and you can maybe even do so using resources you already have.  If you use the one-take editing technique, you can skip the video editing software part altogether.  Just shoot your video, and upload it directly to a free hosting service like YouTube.  Let me outline the basic choices you have for each of three main areas: cameras, hosting services, and editing software.

Cameras

Webcams and Mobile Phones
I start with these together since you may already have one or both!  These days, many laptops and monitors come with embedded webcams, and most mobile phones can take video.  Some phones, like the iPhone for instance, can upload video directly to YouTube.  It doesn’t get any easier than that!  And if you don’t have a phone that takes video, or an embedded webcam, buying a webcam may well be the cheapest way to get started.  You’re not going to get HD quality at the low end of the price scale, and you’ll be constrained by having to be connected to your computer, but you can find useable webcams for around $20.

Point & Shoot Still Cameras
You may also already have a point & shoot still camera that takes video.  And if you don’t it’s a great way to enter the world of video since you’re not committing to a video-only device.  Many reasonably priced, small form-factor cameras actually take really high quality video, even HD.

Flip
The Flip line of video cameras is a little phenomenon.  It’s a specific brand, but deserves highlighting all by itself.  The simplest possible design and interface makes these little cameras super-approachable.  And they pack a lot of value too.  You can get one that takes 1 hour of HD video for $200, or 2 hours for just another $30.  When you’re ready, you “flip” out the built-in USB plug and stick it right into your computer to transfer the files.

A Note on Transferring Files
If you have a phone that transfers video directly to a service like YouTube, well lucky you.  If you are taking video with a web cam, then it’s being saved directly to your computer.  Otherwise, before editing your video or sending it to a hosting service, you need to get your video files from your camera to your computer.  This is a super simple process.  You either plug your camera directly into your computer or take out its memory card and use a card reader.  Most Windows or Mac configurations will then prompt you to transfer the files.  Otherwise, your camera or card should appears as another drive that you can copy the files from.

Hosting Services

So you’ve shot your video and you want to share it online now.  The most well known service for this is certainly YouTube.  And it’s really just a matter of creating an account there, selecting the video file on your hard drive, and filling in some information about your video.  Then you can share the direct link to your video, or use what’s called an embed code, which is a little piece of HTML, to “embed” the video on your blog or other website.  Vimeo is another popular service, similar to YouTube.  Some people prefer it for various kind of subtle aesthetic and technical reasons.  Check them both out and see what appeals to you.  Note that Facebook has really easy to use video hosting capabilities too.  You may already have an account there, and if you only want to share your video with your Facebook friends, that may be a good way to go.

Editing Software

If you want to take it to the next level with digital video, and be able to splice together multiple video files, add music and effects, then you’re ready to look into video editing software.  There is a wide range of offerings out there.  For a first crack at things, you’re probably most concerned with price and ease of use.  There are some free ones out there.  Windows users may already have a copy of Windows Movie Maker (WMM).  If not, you can download it for free from Microsoft.  Note that it is pretty limited, especially the newer “Live” version.  Although the new version was stripped down specifically to make it even more approachable than the already streamlined original version.  So it is both free and easy.

Mac and Linux users can look to a free program called LiVES, which is actually quite robust.  For some, it may still be a little too complicated.  If you’re really into the Apple way of doing things, you should probably check out iMovie.  If the iLife software suite didn’t come bundled with your Mac, you can get it for $80.  iMovie, like Windows Movie Maker, is stripped down and limited in some ways, to make it as user-friendly as possible.  I’m sure Apple purists would argue with gusto that iMovie succeeds at that aim way better than WMM.

Now get out your clacker and bullhorn and start calling ACTION!

This post was featured in ePiphany, Astek’s Monthly Newsletter |  Other ePiphany Articles

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Andrew Crowe Categories: ePiphany Featured Story, Fun, Gadget, How To, Social Media, Technology, Web