What camera do you use with ScreenFlow?
ScreenFlow is great at capturing what’s going on on-screen. But what if you want to add a video of your talking head, or stream in other video for your screencasts? What kind of camera should you use to capture your video?
The easiest answer, which many of you undoubtedly know, is the built in webcam or iSight camera on your Mac. But for those looking for a second input or an external webcam, what should you look for?
In general, ScreenFlow works with most standard definition cameras that have a live video firewire or USB output. ScreenFlow does not currently support HDV devices, however most HDV cameras have a DV mode which does work with ScreenFlow.
There’s been a lot of discussion about webcams and camcorders in the past year on our Forum. I’ve compiled links to some of the most relevant posts here:
- Best web cams to use with ScreenFlow
- Kodak Zi8 and ScreenFlow
- aGent v5 webcam
- Camera recommendations for live video input
- Best cameras for streaming input
If you use an external camera: What do you use, and why do you like it? Please post your comments here and we’ll compile the answers as a resource for new ScreenFlow users.
11 Responses to “What camera do you use with ScreenFlow?”
August 26th, 2010 at: 5:15 pm
I use a couple of 1080p Samsung Camcorders, as well as Sony. Great in flow with Screenflow.
[Reply]
August 26th, 2010 at: 10:50 pm
A clapper board is essential if you lift your video from one source and the audio from another. They are rarely in sync. Afterwards, just detach the audio and sync.
[Reply]
Steve Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 11:34 am
And how about if you just clap your hands really loud a few times so you can see the sound spike in the audio timeline?
[Reply]
Mattias Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
That works perfectly. However, what I’ve discovered is that when you have the clapper board you rarely forget, when you use your hands you always forget…
Cheap ones: http://www.clapperboard.net/
[Reply]
August 27th, 2010 at: 7:26 am
I use a canon HV20 in DV mode via my firewire 400 port on my Macs. I use it when I need to get a shot of me using a whiteboard etc.
[Reply]
August 27th, 2010 at: 8:34 am
I use a Panasonic TZ7 :-) !
[Reply]
August 27th, 2010 at: 9:06 am
I’m using the new IPEVO Point2View usb cam… works great and has a wider angle lens. Auto focus and Zoom controls. Excellent!
[Reply]
Pauline Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Hi, Michael:
Thank you for choosing IPEVO ! :)
[Reply]
Noteguy Reply:
November 7th, 2010 at 12:13 am
I just purchased the P2V, directly recorded with professional lighting…etc, but quality was poor when received directly into ScreenFlow. How do you make your P2V give you good results? Do you record with separate capture software (if so what) and then import into ScreenFlow? I also purchased a new Canon HV40, all excited about importing into ScreenFlow; but just discovered this is virtually impossible from what I am reading.
I am a bit depressed. I need both ScreenFlow for screencasts and high quality video for vodcast final product.
[Reply]
August 27th, 2010 at: 11:18 am
Okay, you baited me Lynn ;-)
I put together a quick video on how to incorporate multiple camera’s and how to sync the audio over here:
http://www.macscreencasting.com/using-multiple-cameras-in-your-screencasts
I’m not hooking up any Firewire or additional USB cameras. I’m using an external Kodak Zi8. I like having multiple cameras and ScreenFlow makes it easy to pull it off.
[Reply]
Lynn Elliott Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Excellent video, Scott. Thank you so much for sharing that.
I encourage everyone to click over and watch Scott’s video. He has a couple of great tricks and tips in there.
Lynn
[Reply]
Leave a Reply