Video Camera: Any decent home video camera is fine.

The types of tape format we prefer are 8mm, Hi8, or DV (Digital Video).

However, any VHS tape will work just fine. We can also convert NTSC or PAL tapes with our equipment.

Audio Tape:
Any cassette tape recorder will do. Ones with an external microphone work better than others. Either regular, or micro cassettes are fine.

Digital Recordings: We also can work with digital audio or video files if you have a computer, and know how to create these. See our file upload tips page for more information. You can also submit these via CD-R discs.

#1: Use a tripod

A tripod is critical - never have a friend hold a camera to tape you. Not just because it looks better to the viewer, either.

The way compression software works is that it compares each frame of the movie file to the one before it. The more change - even the little jiggles in a camera - the more work it is to make the file smaller, and then bigger. That means bigger files, and lower quality images.

If you don't have one, and don't want to buy a tripod, use a table or other fixed object, and pad the camera. Use clothing, a pillow or darn near anything to secure the camera ready to go. A remote control will help if you don't have a tripod, since you don't have to keep moving the camera.

#2: Keep your background simple

Use a blank wall if possible, and make sure to avoid busy patterns or moving backgrounds. These will wreak havoc on compression and clarity!

Avoid conflicts between background and foreground by wearing something that isn't bright white, or other bright colors. The contrast problems can result in streaking and blurring of edges.

If outside, try to shoot from above looking down so that the background isn't always moving and changing.

#3: Provide good lighting

Converting video into digital form causes things to get darker. Always. So, lighting is very important. That doesn't mean you need a stage crew, but try to keep those lumens in mind when planning.

Avoid flourescent lighting like the plague, and always make thing brighter than you think they need to be. Take lampshades off, and move a lamp or two close where you'll be sitting for a virtual interview.

Don't shoot outside on cloudy or rainy days. Low light levels cause blurring, larger file size, and an oozing of colors.

#4: Use closeup shots

Go closer than you think you need to. The video will be viewed on a small screen. Also, closeups in a Virtual Interview reduce the amount of information that needs to be converted by focusing on the person, blurring the background detail. This is good.

In fact, use "Portrait Mode" if your camera has one. This opens the iris of the camer up, and allows more light in - sharpens the detail on the subject, but puts the background out of focus.

#5: Avoid panning the camera, or other soft transitions

Keep it simple. Don't zoom in or out, pan (slow movement) or use the tempting effects buttons on your camera. All that information will just be clutter when we compress your movie. That means bigger file size, and less clarity.

If you are doing a Virtual Interview, this won't bum you out. If you are doing a video of a school or campus simply SAY into the camera, "I'd really like a fade here", and we'll try to put one in when we compress the files. It will work better that way.

#6: Use a five second silent countdown before each take

Just count to five silently after you begin recording, but before you begin to speak. This allows a little wiggle room for editing, and will make you look more composed.

#1: Use a microphone

We can work with any audio tape you send, even if recorded from a boom box's built-in condenser microphone.

However, even a cheap, $5 microphone from Radio Shack will do wonders for the quality of your streamed audio. Built-in camera microphones are designed to capture all the ambient sound around you. That's bad.

#2: Tape in a quiet place

The more background noise you have, the more distortion you are going to have when the file is compressed. That means larger file size, and less clarity. Lots of extra zeros and ones to the computer.

Before you do your actual tape, record a minute or so without speaking, and then play it back in a quiet place, or with headphones.

You'll be surprised at how much extra there is...everything from the sound of the recorder itself to the hum of your heating system. Turn off appliances nearby, and try to use as quiet a spot as possible - especially if you don't have access to a microphone.

#2: Rehearse, but don't read

Nobody is going to sit through a stiff, canned response. Just be yourself. You only have a minute if doing a Virtual Interview, so get to the point.

This means a dry run or two perhaps, but not a prepared statement.

Virtual Interviews: No. We will remove cue counts, empty spaces, and any glaring things that we happen to notice when compressing. And that's about it. You need to do your editing before you send the tape. If your cat runs across the field of view when taping, we aren't going to make it go away;-)

Districts and schools: If we are preparing video or audio to stream for you, you will get a higher level of service because you are paying for our time and attention. We will do minor editing, and insert transitions where requested for your files. Specifics will be given to you before we contract the work.

Contiguous 48 States: 14 - 20 days from mailing tape

U.S. Territories & APO Addresses: 21 - 28 days from mailing tape

Foreign Countries: 1 week from receiving your tape

Email Attachments: 1 week from when we get the files

An email is sent to let you know when we get the tape, and another when it is finished.