Here is the equipment I would buy if I had $5,000 to start up a Video Lab in my school. The grand total spent below is $4,222. I did not add more products because I would want to see how these products interacted before I spent all of the money. I have worked with videos and video editing enough to know that there are always surprises. Some camcorders record in a format that requires converting before it is edited in a different program. Some internal microphones are not nearly good enough and require the purchase of external microphones. I have done my best to choose products that are well reviewed and that I think will work well together, but until it is actually tried out, there is no guarantee. For conversion software I would use Any Video Converter, which is a free program that will convert almost anything. I have chosen Apple products to take advantage of iMovie software that is included with these products. Additional purchases I would consider making: external microphones, digital voice recorders, and smaller camcorders similar to the Flip video cameras (which are no longer being produced). Headphones are pretty readily available at my school already, so I didn't plan on purchasing more of those. However, there is a store in my area that carries headphones (with and without microphones) for around $5 each. I have discovered that it is not worth buying expensive headphones because kids break them just as easily as expensive ones! So I always plan to purchase several sets of these headphones every year. I would also look at purchasing additional laptops as/if the program grows.
The iPad minis would be the backbone of the video lab. Students could use them for taking photos and videos, as well as using iMovie (included) to edit said photos and videos.
I chose the iPad Minis because the newest versions include updated software and better quality cameras than previous versions. The iPad mini 3 also has two microphones, one on the front and one on the back, so that audio would be a better quality as well. They are intuitive and easy to learn, and most students are pretty familiar with working with Apple products, so there would not be a huge learning curve. Though the review indicates that there is not a significant difference between the iPad mini 2 and the iPad mini 3, I could not find a place to purchase the mini 2 in the 64 gb size for less than the $499 price tag of the iPad Mini 3 64 gb. For video use, I would want the extra space.
This charging station would provide a place for the iPads to be stored and charged when not in use.
I think it would be important to have a central location to keep the iPads when not in use, so this charging station seemed like an economical way to provide that location and a place to charge the iPads.
In the interest of protecting a serious investment, it seemed wise to include a case for the iPads.
I chose this case because it had many good reviews (even after many months of use by small children) on Amazon. Also, I liked that it had a handle, but that the handle turned into a stand. That would be a good alternative to a tripod, if the conditions allowed for it.
An accessory that allows any tablet to be mounted to a tripod.
I chose this accessory because it will allow the students to attach the iPads to a tripod if necessary. I only purchased 2 because I don't think they will always want/need tripods.
The laptop would be used when students wanted to do more sophisticated editing, see their videos on a larger screen, or needed to overlay different audio.
I chose the MacBook Air because it is an affordable option that will have the same editing software (iMovie) that students would have been using on the iPads. I thought it was a good idea to include a laptop for more detailed editing. The laptop could be stored and charged in the same station as the iPads, and used anywhere in the library/school.
Review: I couldn't find a review for a camcorder that was still available. I chose this model because it was close to the V700M that got good reviews, and it had mostly positive reviews on Amazon.
This is a handheld camcorder that could be used if students needed to shoot more professional video, or from a longer distance.
I really struggled with finding a camcorder to include, but I wanted something with a zoom that students could use if the video camera on the iPads just wouldn't do. I searched through reviews on cnet and TechHive, but most of the reviews I found that had cameras that were suitable were 5+ years old, and the cameras no longer available. My favorite was the Panasonic HC-V700M, but when I looked for it on Amazon, it was no longer available. The V700M had an external microphone jack and a light that would have made it a much better choice. However, this Panasonic seemed to be the closest I could get currently. I would have to keep an eye out for a better choice and perhaps purchase a different one if it became available.
Product Choices
Source
Purpose
Rationale
Cost
Qty
Total Cost
64 gb
Wifi only
Review:
MacWorld
11 inch
128GB
Review:
MacWorld
Review: I couldn't find a review for a camcorder that was still available. I chose this model because it was close to the V700M that got good reviews, and it had mostly positive reviews on Amazon.