Recording without an assistant

[Charlie A]

Hi there tomsguide,

I do YouTube videos but am extremely put off by how difficult it is to produce quality content while trying to manage a camera at the same time.

Sometimes I need to pause video so I can think about something/look at notes as I'm a vlogging channel. The camera is about 6 feet away from me and I don't / don't want to have a regular camera operator person.

I record with an android OS phone and an old camcorder I have lying around occasionally. The phone is Moto G and the camera is https/www.google.co.uk/search?q=pink+camcorder&client=ms-android-hms-vf-gb&sa=X&biw=360&bih=511&tbs=vw:l&tbm=shop&prmd=sivn&srpd=1191972357837811597&prds=epd:10709821223012725468,paur:ClkAsKraX3ABBmNdlHhkqapTaggeazbddYWWYYVLxNS6m5mrllnXx8ZalGd35KY5kdfIr_1THfhXcMfcv5Z0sVfbBhs3tjLvvfTYoyaQxDc51RBuIWCfumKSKRIZAFPVH71ACfYWPD0tlgMonAo65-8Zr6u2xQ,cdl:1,cid:1273919167981760517&ved=0ahUKEwic0eeZoLnMAhWJGD4KHVz8CX8QgTYImgUwAA&ei=vigmV5z6Momx-AHc-Kf4Bw
this style

Are there any gadgets that I can use to remotely operate my camera without removing myself from the flow of the video? I know camera remotes exist but I don't know which to get or where to start. I also know that certain remote control camcorder stands exist but have no experience.

Thanks in advance for any assistance, Charlie.


The main things I need to do:

Stop/pause/Start recording without getting up constantly.

It would be nice to control zoom and panning too.

 

[USAFRet]

A remote is completely dependent on the actual camera. Some cameras a remote capable, some not. And if it is, a remote is specific to that particular camera.

Another concept is to just let it run, and 'stop/start' in editing.

Yes, producing a quality video is "hard". It takes time and practice.
The good videos you see were not done in one take, or with one camera.

 

[Charlie A]

A remote is completely dependent on the actual camera. Some cameras a remote capable, some not. And if it is, a remote is specific to that particular camera.

Another concept is to just let it run, and 'stop/start' in editing.

Yes, producing a quality video is "hard". It takes time and practice.
The good videos you see were not done in one take, or with one camera.

It is made harder by the fact I have to do it alone. Do you know if I can get a remote for my phone? Moto G

 

[Charlie A]

I know about editing, but realistically doing a video in one take without stopping is a bad idea for anyone, I do mine in segments because I have found that works for me but then I have to go and stop the camera, take a minute and start it again, very arduous.

 

[ssddx]

nobody ever said producing good videos was easy. if you think you have it rough, imagine how much work goes into a AAA rated channel.

do not want a cameraman? get used to editing cuts and frequent stops. every single time you want to change the cameras angle you will need to do so yourself. while its possible (as noted by usafr) to at times use a remote if you have the right equipment or in some cases a long lever or stick to move the camera around this will NOT cause any less cuts in your video. also known as jump-cuts.

now they DO make camera bases which can be controlled remotely however i believe most use pc input so you will need your laptop or pc to control it. also it will be obvious when you make the adjustments so a jump cut may still be needed. they do make phone to camera style mounts available. however, when you start totaling up what the adapter and motorized mounts cost you will be in for a decent chunk of change. is it really worthwhile considering for the cash you could upgrade to a nicer webcam.

now, as far as stopping and starting... yes those can be done with a remote but again (as usafr stated) you need something compatible. i'm not sure if they make something for phones though but you could use airdroid or similar pc interface with it to control your phone remotely from your laptop.

 

[Charlie A]

nobody ever said producing good videos was easy. if you think you have it rough, imagine how much work goes into a AAA rated channel.

do not want a cameraman? get used to editing cuts and frequent stops. every single time you want to change the cameras angle you will need to do so yourself. while its possible (as noted by usafr) to at times use a remote if you have the right equipment or in some cases a long lever or stick to move the camera around this will NOT cause any less cuts in your video. also known as jump-cuts.

now they DO make camera bases which can be controlled remotely however i believe most use pc input so you will need your laptop or pc to control it. also it will be obvious when you make the adjustments so a jump cut may still be needed. they do make phone to camera style mounts available. however, when you start totaling up what the adapter and motorized mounts cost you will be in for a decent chunk of change. is it really worthwhile considering for the cash you could upgrade to a nicer webcam.

now, as far as stopping and starting... yes those can be done with a remote but again (as usafr stated) you need something compatible. i'm not sure if they make something for phones though but you could use airdroid or similar pc interface with it to control your phone remotely from your laptop.

I don't think you're understanding my problem. I know about jump cuts, that's not a problem, I just don't want to have to get up to stop the camera. In fact, jump cuts can look good. I am not workshy and that wasn't my issue. I will see if I can find something via laptop but I was rather sure remotes were a thing, surely you can get universal ones?

 

[USAFRet]

There are no universal remotes for video cameras. What works with a Sony will not work with a Canon.
Some cameras can be tethered to a laptop, but not all of them can. Can yours?
A typical webcam can be controlled from an application on the laptop.

You need to choose the equipment that will support your recording style and level of effort.
Webcam, video cam, DSLR, or some combination of the above.

The only two limits are your imagination and your budget.

 

[ssddx]

he is using a 20gbp camera and a cell phone it looks like. the chances of any real accessories for that camera are slim and as for the phone there may of course be some accessories but linking via usb (like i suggested above) is always possible if he is using that camera.

a cheap webcam is always a possibility as well. you can get them under $50 and the software generally allows control

 

[Charlie A]

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/252189749400?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=122&googleloc=1006626&poi=&campaignid=207297426&device=m&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=aud-133395220866%3Apla-146652016866&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=122&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fipn%253Dicep%2526icep_id%253D67%2526mtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D50600204586_563391%2526icep_item_id%253D252189749400%2526itemid%253D252189749400%2526icep_meta_categ_id%253D58058%2526icep_etrs%253DY%2526icep_epid%253D-999%2526icep_ctlg%253D-999%2526icep_cond%253DNew%2526targetid%253D146652016866%2526rpc%253D0.10%2526rpc_upld_id%253D69585%2526device%253Dm%2526icep_msku_flag%253Dn%2526icep_cbt%253Dn%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D1006626%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D207297426%2526adgroupid%253D13585920426%2526rlsatarget%253Daud-133395220866%253Apla-146652016866%2526gclid%253DCMeArI_MucwCFYEy0wodDbUGSg%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1023597942421&limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=122&chn=ps&googleloc=1006626&poi=&campaignid=207297426&device=m&adgroupid=13585920426&rlsatarget=aud-133395220866%3Apla-146652016866&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=122&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fipn%253Dicep%2526icep_id%253D67%2526mtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D50600204586_563391%2526icep_item_id%253D252189749400%2526itemid%253D252189749400%2526icep_meta_categ_id%253D58058%2526icep_etrs%253DY%2526icep_epid%253D-999%2526icep_ctlg%253D-999%2526icep_cond%253DNew%2526targetid%253D146652016866%2526rpc%253D0.10%2526rpc_upld_id%253D69585%2526device%253Dm%2526icep_msku_flag%253Dn%2526icep_cbt%253Dn%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D1006626%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D207297426%2526adgroupid%253D13585920426%2526rlsatarget%253Daud-133395220866%253Apla-146652016866%2526gclid%253DCMeArI_MucwCFYEy0wodDbUGSg%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1023597942421&ul_noapp=true

I need something like this but for android, that's all really.

 

[Charlie A]

Massive kudos to anyone who can find one