Discrete Video Recorder

ED!

I need a video recorder for some upcoming classes, and am curious if theres one with a small footprint that can be set on its side without fear of knocking it over. Worst case I could use a digital audio recorder, but would rather have the benefit of video.

Esh

ED! wrote:

I need a video recorder for some upcoming classes, and am curious if theres one with a small footprint that can be set on its side without fear of knocking it over. Worst case I could use a digital audio recorder, but would rather have the benefit of video.

Pretty much any compact camera is going to record video nowadays. I have a Canon ELPH 300 and it shoots great video. Tiny too.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-ELPH-300-HS/dp/B004J41T7Q

ceres

I have a Flip video recorder, and I love it. It records for about two hours.

Make sure the teachers you record are cool with it, though. Mine have always been okay with audio recordings so in my experience they usually are, but it's nice to ask and make sure.

ED!

I was looking at the Flip - seems like the best no-fuss, no-muss solution. Seems a tiny bit "big" though; the Canon is definitely too big for the footprint I'm trying to have.

Skoal Cat

A digital audio recorder is going to capture much better audio than a Flip style camera. I've read better things about the small Kodak point and shoots than Flip. Make sure you get a tiny tripod for them for the best of both worlds. You can also get a Cannon point and shoot camera, load some custom firmware into it, and you'll open up a lot more options. Also, consider filming from a distance off of a tripod. If you're shooting from a static camera up close, pretty much any movement by the teacher is going to put them out of frame.

Esh

ED! wrote:

I was looking at the Flip - seems like the best no-fuss, no-muss solution. Seems a tiny bit "big" though; the Canon is definitely too big for the footprint I'm trying to have.

That Canon is smaller than an iPhone. How small are you trying to go?

urahonky

Also, just as an FYI, you have to get permission from the instructor before you record video/audio from a lecture. Don't want you to get into trouble!

Fantasma

You can use a small tripod with this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlaySport-Waterproof-Pocket-Camera/dp/B0030MITDK/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_1

Esh

Fantasma wrote:

You can use a small tripod with this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlaySport-Waterproof-Pocket-Camera/dp/B0030MITDK/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_1

The newer model of that is actually cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-PlaySport-Waterproof-Pocket-Camera/dp/B004FLL5BI/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

ED!

There are graduate level "math" courses so what's on the board is often as important as what is spoken; I have recorded audio in the past, but was thinking video might get me two in one - though I've never really had a problem with just the audio so I may go with that, and maybe video on my phone for the hairier stuff.

Skoal Cat

There is no way you can get the entire board in frame for a shot with enough clarity to see what is being written. That is, unless your math classes are radically different from almost every other class I've ever had in pretty much any subject.

Djeet

It wasn't until you shared that this was a Math class that I found it amusing that you used discrete to mean discreet.

ED!

Skoal Cat wrote:

There is no way you can get the entire board in frame for a shot with enough clarity to see what is being written. That is, unless your math classes are radically different from almost every other class I've ever had in pretty much any subject.

I don't need to neccesarily be able to "read" all the text; having an "idea" of the visual is enough to connect it to notes. Generally when I've taken video, it's been from the side and thats been fine - but thats with clumsily holding a cell phone in one hand and a pencil in another. It's worked for me in the past, but I'd like a more elegant solution. If these mini-cameras are as compact as they say I might grab one of them and pair it with an audio recorder. I like the look of that Kodak - could almost pass for a cell phone, so as not to distract fellow students.

Djeet wrote:

It wasn't until you shared that this was a Math class that I found it amusing that you used discrete to mean discreet.

Wow I didn't even blink twice when typing that headline; I spell "compliment" complement all the time - way too many "loan words" in the maths.