Capture Cutting Edge Video
Creative Pocket Video Camera
Creative Pocket Video Camera
How to Choose a Video Production Company
Determine the size of the production company you need. Although there are many factors that determine the cost of a video shoot (as explained later), the first consideration for staying in budget is the type and size of the production company. Large production companies have multiple studios and sound stages, editing suites, and a sizeable staff. These are the people that television stations and Hollywood producers call on when they need a local production for television, cable, or film. They are very experienced and produce fantastic results, but a considerable price tag must accompany such overhead. Often they are unable to service small businesses because they cannot accommodate such small budgets, as they’d usually have plenty of calls and projects from clients with deep pockets keeping them busy. The next step down is a smaller, full-time production company. Small and medium sized businesses are the core of their clientèle, so they are compelled to keep a video project as lean as possible, yet deliver the best possible quality for the money being paid. These production companies may have a small, single studio and editing suite, or they may work out of their home studio and rent a sound stage when the project calls for it. There may be one or two full time employees, and the rest are contract crew on a per-project basis. This helps translate into lower production costs for you. The final category of video producers is part-time, weekend-only videographers. These producers have a camera and a computer, and want to make some extra money on their free time. They can often underbid anyone else in town, because they already have their full time job and any extra money on the side is fine with them. But their ability to understand corporate, commercial, and broadcast needs are limited, and often shows in the quality of their production…it just looks like really good quality homemade video.
Choosing a medium-sized, full time production company will give you the most bang for the buck. This is not to say that large companies intentionally price themselves out of range for small businesses, some may be very willing to work with you. It’s just that a large production house will probably not be as eager and excited to earn your business for a $2000 project when they’re used to getting calls for $20,000 jobs on average. You don’t need to directly interrogate each company about the size of their business. Look at their website and see examples of their clients…if they seem to favor Fortune 500 companies, TV stations, and feature films, then you can assume that they’re a large production company. Or if you see a 30,000 square foot facility with immaculate furnishings, you can deduce that the price tag they give you will be sizeable.
Compare company demo reels to see who can give the best quality for your budget. Once you’ve determined the size of the video company to use, then it’s time to compare demo reels among the companies in your price range. One of the main factors that will determine visual quality in the portfolios is the format the project was shot on. Video technology changes drastically every 4-7 years, and what was broadcast quality 15 years ago with $50,000 cameras can be achieved with a $3000 HDV camera today. The producer should match the video format with what provides the best noticeable quality for your budget. Notice on this chart that there is a drastic jump in quality from $1000-$5000 range, but as you increase the money being spent the noticeable quality begins to taper off and plateau.
There are many other factors that can determine the overall quality of a video production, but choosing the format is the foundation upon which many other costs are built upon. You have to ask yourself, “Will spending X amount of additional dollars on a higher-end format increase my response rate or accomplish my objectives better?” If you’re doing a TV spot, then quality is critical for that first impression. For an employee training video, immaculate image quality is probably not critical. That’s why it is the opinion of this author that the HDV format offers the best balance of quality and cost, for any type of video production. As you watch the demo reels and portfolios of various production companies, pay attention to not only the mere image quality, but also the lighting, camera movements, and audio quality. One way to practice this is while you’re watching TV at home. Instead of zipping past the commercials of the show you’ve tivo-ed, watch and focus on the details of how national commercials are shot. Notice the smooth diffused lighting, the track/dolly camera movements (i.e., not much zooming!), and the deep contrast with vivid colors. Even if your video project is not a commercial spot, you can train your eye to notice quality by comparing it with the standard.
Consider the professionalism and business practices of the company. After a budget is finalized, the producer should create a treatment (blueprint for the video) upon which your contract will be based. You should know ahead of time exactly what will be done, what equipment will be used, what crew will be hired, and how each scene will be storyboarded. Granted there is an element of creativity that will vary and not necessarily translate directly onto paper, but strive to have everything in writing so that there are no misunderstandings or faulty expectations. Consider the personality and professionalism of the salesman, the director, or producer you are working with. Do you sense that he understands your industry or is eager to learn about it? Does he provide valuable input without being pushy or cocky? There should be a free flow of input into the project from both sides, without any ego problems. These traits may seem trivial, but video producers can be a creative and finicky bunch that take their art very seriously. It is paramount to have not only a creative team, but one who puts your needs and goals above their own.
My Creative Vado Pocket Video Cam says ‘Memory Full’ when I try to record something! Please Help!?
OK, so heres the deal…
I plugged in my Creative Vado camera (not the Vado HD, just the normal one) into my MacBook and deleted all the files from it. I simply went into the VADO folder which appeared on my desktop because i plugged the camera in, clicked on the DCIM folder and dragged all the videos into the trash. Now, when I press record on the camera it says ‘Memory Full’ when there is not one file on it! And also when I click the Play button, to preview something I put on it from my MacBook, it says ‘No File’! Please Help Me!!!
@Mandy how do I do that?
If you have copied everything off the camera, then format the camera. That will delete all data and prepare the internal memory for new data.
 Creative Labs Vado VF0570APS Pocket Video Camera Mesh Pouch (Silver) List Price: DescriptionThe Mesh Case for Vado Pocket Video Camera clips to your belt or pack and protects your Vado from bumps and scratches. Available in Silver or Pink. Features
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Eligible for free shipping!  Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black) OLD MODEL List Price: DescriptionCatch the perfect snowboarding stunt, your baby’s first steps or your kid’s graduation, share it online and save it for a lifetime with Creative’s Vado HD Pocket Video Cam. The thin, lightweight Vado HD is small enough to fit easily in a pocket, purse or the palm of your hand, and it captures video in 720P high-definition quality with just the touch of a button. Sharing videos online is simple with built-in software that helps you post videos to YouTube, Photobucket or Box.net. The Vado HD is the only pocket video cam to feature true HDMI connectivity and an included HDMI cable for a superior viewing experience on an HDTV. Take the Vado HD Pocket Video Cam with you everywhere you go and never miss a moment. Product specs include 720p high-definition video, wide-angle glass lens, 2x digital zoom, 8GB of video storage capacity, up to two hours of recording and playback per charge, up to eight hours of recording time at 640×480 at 30 frames per second, HDMI and RCA connections for TV, HDMI cable included, A/V cable sold separately, removable and rechargeable lithium battery, Vado Central software for simple video editing and sharing. System requirements include Windows Xp Service Pack 2 or Vista, Intel Pentium III or higher, 512MB of memory, USB port, 500MB free hard disk space, and 16MB of Video Memory or above. Product ships with silicon skin, HDMI cable, and USB cable. Features
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 Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB Pocket Video Camcorder, 2nd Generation (Black Gloss with Maroon Accents) List Price: DescriptionCatch the perfect snowboarding stunt, your baby’s first steps or your kid’s graduation, share it online and save it for a lifetime with Creative’s Vado HD Pocket Video Cam. The thin, lightweight Vado HD is small enough to fit easily in a pocket, purse or the palm of your hand, and it captures video in 720P high-definition quality with just the touch of a button. Sharing videos online is simple with built-in software that helps you post videos to YouTube, Photobucket or Box.net. The Vado HD is the only pocket video cam to feature true HDMI connectivity and an included HDMI cable for a superior viewing experience on an HDTV. Take the Vado HD Pocket Video Cam with you everywhere you go and never miss a moment. Product specs include 720p high-definition video, wide-angle glass lens, 2x digital zoom, 8GB of video storage capacity, up to two hours of recording and playback per charge, up to eight hours of recording time at 640×480 at 30 frames per second, HDMI and RCA connections for TV, HDMI cable included, A/V cable sold separately, removable and rechargeable lithium battery, Vado Central software for simple video editing and sharing. System requirements include Windows Xp Service Pack 2 or Vista, Intel Pentium III or higher, 512MB of memory, USB port, 500MB free hard disk space, and 16MB of Video Memory or above. Product ships with silicon skin, HDMI cable, and USB cable. Features
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 Creative Labs Vado VF0570APP Pocket Video Camera Mesh Pouch (Pink) List Price: DescriptionThe Mesh Case for Vado Pocket Video Camera clips to your belt or pack and protects your Vado from bumps and scratches. Available in Silver or Pink. Features
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 VADO VF0624 3G Camcorder with 2x Optical Zoom and 2-inch LCD Screen – CYAN List Price: DescriptionOne light touch on the touch-sensitive buttons and you can start recording instantly in high-definition quality. Lightweight and extremely compact, enjoy up to 120 minutes of widescreen HD quality video on the move. Don’t cramp your style with additional camera equipment as the Vado HD (3rd Gen) comes equipped with a photo feature that lets you shoot up to 7,000 of widescreen still shots. The video enthusiast in you will be thrilled at how much more you can achieve with the multi-function jack and the improved Vado Central 3.0 software. With the multi-function port, you can connect a handy microphone to the Vado HD (3rd Gen) for better audio recording and come playback time, simply plug in your own headphones to listen to the videos at a desired volume level. Sharing your happy times with others truly does not come easier than this! «0;less Features
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 VADO VF0624 Camcorder with 2x Optical Zoom and 2-inch LCD Screen – PURPLE List Price: DescriptionOne light touch on the touch-sensitive buttons and you can start recording instantly in high-definition quality. Lightweight and extremely compact, enjoy up to 120 minutes of widescreen HD quality video on the move. Don’t cramp your style with additional camera equipment as the Vado HD (3rd Gen) comes equipped with a photo feature that lets you shoot up to 7,000 of widescreen still shots. The video enthusiast in you will be thrilled at how much more you can achieve with the multi-function jack and the improved Vado Central 3.0 software. With the multi-function port, you can connect a handy microphone to the Vado HD (3rd Gen) for better audio recording and come playback time, simply plug in your own headphones to listen to the videos at a desired volume level. Sharing your happy times with others truly does not come easier than this! «0;less Features
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 Creative Labs Vado VF0624-RD HD Pocket Video Camcorder 3rd Generation, 120 Minutes (Red) – NEWEST MODEL List Price: DescriptionCatch the perfect snowboarding stunt, your baby’s first steps or your kid’s graduation, share it online and save it for a lifetime with Creative’s new Vado HD Pocket Video Cam. The third generation of Vado HD camcorders introduces a sleek new industrial design, the latest Vado Central software, improved light sensitivity, optional stereo microphone input, and availability in multiple colors. The thin, lightweight Vado HD is small enough to fit easily in a pocket, purse or the palm of your hand, and it captures video in 720P high-definition quality video at 30 frames per second with just the touch of a button. Sharing videos online is simple with built-in software that helps you post videos to YouTube, Facebook, Photobucket or Box.net. The Vado HD includes an HDMI output (cable not included) for a superior viewing experience on an HDTV. Take the Vado HD Pocket Video Cam with you everywhere you go and never miss a moment. Product specs include 720p high-definition video at 30fps, wide-angle glass lens, 2.0 inch LCD, still picture capture, touch buttons, 2x digital zoom, 4GB of video storage capacity, up to two hours of recording in HD, up to four hours of recording time at 640×480 at 30 frames per second, HDMI and RCA connections for TV, HDMI and A/V cable sold separately, removable and rechargeable lithium battery, Vado Central software for simple video editing and sharing. System requirements include Windows Xp Service Pack 2 or Vista, Intel Pentium III or higher, 512MB of memory, USB port, 500MB free hard disk space, and 16MB of Video Memory or above. Product ships with Vado camcorder and battery. Features
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 B-Stock Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Camera 8GB + Accessories Pack (Red) Sale Price: $82.95 |
 Kodak Zi6 HD Pocket Video Camera (Red) Sale Price: $165.99 DescriptionFeatures: Features
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 Creative Labs Vado HD 4 GB Pocket Video Camcorder, 2nd Generation (White Gloss with Green Accents) List Price: DescriptionCatch the perfect snowboarding stunt, your baby’s first steps or your kid’s graduation, share it online and save it for a lifetime with Creative’s Vado HD Pocket Video Cam. The thin, lightweight Vado HD is small enough to fit easily in a pocket, purse or the palm of your hand, and it captures video in 720P high-definition quality with just the touch of a button. Sharing videos online is simple with built-in software that helps you post videos to YouTube, Photobucket or Box.net. The Vado HD is the only pocket video cam to feature true HDMI connectivity (cable not included) for a superior viewing experience on an HDTV. Take the Vado HD Pocket Video Cam with you everywhere you go and never miss a moment. Product specs include 720p high-definition video, wide-angle glass lens, 2x digital zoom, 4GB of video storage capacity, up to one hours of recording and playback per charge, up to four hours of recording time at 640×480 at 30 frames per second, HDMI and RCA connections for TV, A/V and HDMI cables sold separately, removable and rechargeable lithium battery, Vado Central software for simple video editing and sharing. System requirements include Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Vista, Intel Pentium III or higher, 512MB of memory, USB port, 500MB free hard disk space, and 16MB of Video Memory or above. Product ships with silicon skin, and USB cable. Features
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