RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Hey Guys, this thread is all about my desire to take better videos of the tanks I work so hard on. I'm thinking about getting a proper camcorder so I'm interested in your experiences with those and the kind and brand you use, but for right now I'm working with a relatively cheap Kodak (kind of a modern day Instamatic, $100 at wallyworld), a Cannon T5 Rebel and a Mobius, but today it was just the first two. These first two videos are a comparison of the two and kind of an experiment for a technique I want to try out next season, and the third is about the technique itself.

So how are you guys taking your videos and what are you taking them with, and are there any guys here that know a bit about editing video? Got any favorite tricks for getting good shots? I think this track technique in combination with moving tanks just might be really cool.







The whole idea started because I wanted to go by all these tanks and spot the bucket on each one.

I assume you got my email and the youtube video showing you my new video camera?

jtracks wrote:I assume you got my email and the youtube video showing you my new video camera?

Yeah, did I forget to answer that? Stand by, I remember I had some questions.

Kiaser wrote:Excellent max have you got a video editing programme

No, no program. Computers are still a mystery to me. You know, being an old hippie and whatnot, I'm still lost with new things, but I get there eventually. Any recommendations for a video editing program? I've been meaning to search google with "how do you edit videos" but again, where do I find the time? I'd do it now but there's a fallen tree and a chainsaw calling me.

Max-U52 wrote:Any recommendations for a video editing program?

PowerDirector is very intuitive to use. Comes in different "flavours" (i.e., the more expensive versions have more features - the basic version is good enough IMO). I use PowerDirector 12 (or 13, can't recall) and the best thing about it is the fast rendering process to produce a video.

The basic version has enough features for wot you want to do with videos. Other versions are basically the basic version with add-ons (i.e., extra software added and extra support).

Cheap too IMO.

Last few videos I edited I used Microsoft moviemaker which comes included with Windows 7 upwards. Easy to use, doesnt seem processor hungry (my laptop manages fine). And is usual Microsoft program user friendly.

Although it is a basic program so limited features but as a starting block it's fine for clipping videos, adding text sounds etc

Ian

Thanks, guys, that's what I was looking for. I have windows 7 and didn't even know it could do this. I guess I should actually read that windows for dummies book I bought, ya think? Now I just have to find the time to play with it and see what I can come up with.

Recently I've been using my iPhone for videos but it doesn't pick up sound that well. Plus difficult to balance on side to take the shot with it been thin and rounded edge.

And weekend I saw on hobbyking site a turnigy hd camera. Anyone used it?

Ian

I just picked up a Canon Vixia camcorder and so far it seems pretty good. Here's a quick video of the King Tiger, just to show the new zoom. Of course, I still have to develop the skills to get the most out of it, but we'll get there.

Handsome looking tank, and rendered with sharp images from your new camcorder, Max. Perhaps you could mount the recorder on a tripod (if there's a hands-free option on the camera, making the TX easier to handle). I've a bendy one ('Octopus'), and you can even wrap it around posts, branches, etc... or even flatten it onto ground level. They're fairly cheap, and that way, you can control the action better...and direct it...to great effect.
I use the iPhone 6, and though I'm new to iPhones, it's amazingly simple to use. It's so intuitive. All the work is done for you, below the hood, at the software level. You also get the benefit of slo-mo (125 and 250fps), that I've use on rifle ranges....and it's good for those airsoft recoil, or IR flash, moments. You also get time- lapse and much more. The "photos' app (also available for iPad, iMac etc.,) means you don't have to be John Ford, or John Frankenheimer to edit the footage. Just as well, (especially for me), as patching,editing and splicing stuff only takes a couple of clicks. I used to use my trusty Canon 600d, but that's gathering cobwebs right now. Hmmm., scanning this it's beginning to look like an add for Apple, so, I'd better stop. My son uses a GoPro for action and slow-mo sequences, and that is value for money too.
Uploading to Youtube is another matter. Where I live- at the ends of the Earth- broadband is too slow for much video posting, but look forward to seeing the offerings on this forum.